The CHIEF February 2025

CHIEF PONTIAC TOWNSHIP HIGH SCHOOL The

FEB, 2025

UPPERCLASS ACTS

HAPPY RETIRMENT, MR. KILGORE!

Check out which PTHS seniors are this month's Upperclass Acts

Read about Mr. Kilgore’s dedication to PTHS

Happy Retirement, Mr. Kilgore! By Hannah Ricketts

After an admirable twenty years working here at PTHS, Mr. Kilgore, our superintendent, is finally taking his well-earned retirement. As a tribute to him, we felt that it would only be right to interview him one last time and wish him farewell. The majority of us, as students, have only ever known Mr. Kilgore as the superintendent. However, while this is how he spent the end of his career, it didn’t begin there. He grew up in a western suburb of Chicago—Elgin, IL—where his mom was a teacher at his school. He played sports throughout high school and had wonderful social studies teachers that were very passionate and made learning relatable. After high school, he went to Illinois State University. He received his BA in Education, MA in Educational Administration, and finally a Superintendent Specialist Degree, all from ISU. When he was first hired at PTHS, he was our Assistant Principal and Athletic Director, but before that, he taught history and coached track and football at various schools around Illinois. Two years later, he would go on to become our principal, and five years after that, he became our superintendent. However, what does the job of a superintendent entail? A big part of his job is creating and managing the school budget! He ensures that there is money for minor things, such as toilet paper, but also big projects like the renovation of the commons and auditorium, as well as the new weight room. Something that you might not realize is that being engaged with the local community is an important part of being a superintendent. He sits on many committees and boards in our community, and says that it’s really important to stay connected with people through service and leadership. When asked what the most rewarding part of his job was, he says that it’s getting to see community members and students benefit from the projects he works on. He is always considering what is best for the students when making decisions for the school. Mr. Kilgore said that he will miss the people at PTHS the most; they made coming to work not only enjoyable, but also something that he looked forward to every day. If he could go back in time and give his younger self one piece of advice, he would say, “Trust your gut feelings and enjoy every minute because before you know it, your career will be in its twilight. And, be sure to give your family all the time they deserve.” It was a pleasure getting to know Mr. Kilgore and his career, and it has been an honor working with him on different projects this year. It’s abundantly clear that he has had a great impact on our school community and is leaving behind a legacy that will not be soon forgotten. Please enjoy retirement, Mr. Kilgore!

PTHS Wrestlers Qualify for State

We have never had IHSA State qualifiers for girls before and this year we have done it! Freshman Jocelyn Cobix, 125lbs, and senior Alix Robinson, 155lbs, make it to State in Bloomington Feb 28-Mar 1 at Grossinger Arena. Cobix ended up getting 2nd at Sectionals losing to the returning State Champion. Robinson got 4th, but had probably the most exciting bracket because in the Blood-round she had to wrestle an athlete she has lost to three times prior that was also our Regional Champion. Robinson ended up beating her 6-1 to advance to State. Another very exciting moment on the Boys side was freshman Lucas Maier, 157lbs, getting 2nd at Sectionals and advancing to State! Maier had to wrestle the #5 ranked wrestler in the state in the quarter finals and ended up beating him, moving on to the Semis. He then had to wrestle a returning stage qualifier, and in the 2nd period while he was losing he got his eye cut open. After wrapping his head, he ended up coming out on top and securing his spot to head to State. Maier was the only freshman at his weight class this weekend and stayed positive while having to rematch to wrestlers that pinned him prior in the season.

Our athletes endured black eyes and cuts to make it to State and it truly shows what the PTHS culture is about.

New Teacher Report: Ms. Pribyl By Nevaeh Lee

Ms. Pribyl grew up in Algonquin, IL, and Marengo, IL. When asked for her biggest inspirations she named her mom and Heather Christenson. As for what made her want to be a special education teacher, she said, “I always wanted to be a teacher but in middle school I had a reading teacher who solidified that career choice for me. I wanted to be able to make an impact on students the way she did to me. In high school I volunteered in the special education department and absolutely adored all of the kids-they made me want to be a special education teacher.” In her free time, she enjoys playing with her rescue dog, reading, playing games, and spending time outside. She attended Illinois State University and majored in Special Education. Ms. Pribyl doesn’t have a famous quote that she loves but something that her coaches in high school told her, “You will continue to grow, with or without the people you expected to be there.” Let’s all give a warm welcome to Ms. Pribyl!

2025 Boys Basketball Season Recap By Ben Melchers

The boys’ basketball season for Pontiac Township High School is nearly coming to an end, and their record stands at 10 wins and 17 losses. Recently, the team faced off against the Rantoul Eagles on their Senior Night and celebrated a victory with a score of 60-45. Ryson Eilts shined in the game, scoring 20 points, including 6 three-pointers. The team had an amazing game to celebrate their Senior Night with a victory. They have one more game coming up next week on Tuesday, February 18, a conference team St. Thomas Moore, which will be their final home game and the last game of the season before the regionals begin. Matt Starker and his team are wrapping up their season, and it has been quite a ride. They lost seven games by less than 10 points, which is tough. On top of that, they had 4 players dealing with health problems. Amazin King has a torn ACL, Camden Fenton also has a torn ACL, Conrad Phaff has a fractured bone in his foot, and I have some knee issues too. The boys are hoping to grab another victory against the Rams, which would bring their record to 11-17 before heading into regionals. The Rams, on the other hand, have struggled this season with a 0-8 conference record and an overall record of 11-18. The boys are really pumped for their final game and are hoping to finish the season on a high note with a win.

Upperclass Acts

Lindsay Hooker

NAME: Lindsay Hooker

FAVORITE AUTHOR/BOOK: My favorite book is Fish In a Tree by Lynda Mullaly Hunt

NICKNAMES: Linds, Jo,

ROLE MODEL(S): My boyfriend Cam, my family, and friends.

MOST POSITIVE MOMENT: That I never missed one day of school in all 4 years.

ACTIVITIES @ PTHS: Volleyball, FFA

PET PEEVES: Slow walkers, being late, interrupting someone.

FONDEST MEMORY OF HIGH SCHOOL SO FAR: Being able to help hatch baby chicks in the FFA class. Also, being able to take one home!

WHAT MY FRIENDS WILL REMEMBERABOUT ME: That I was always positive and gave good advice. HOW WOULD YOU SPEND $1,000,000? I would use it for college and then save the rest for my future. IF YOU WERE STRANDED ON A DESERT ISLAND, WHAT 3 ITEMS WOULD YOU WANT WITH YOU? My boyfriend, chicken strips, and blue raspberry sparkling ice drinks.

3 MAJOR AREAS OF INTEREST: Education, Socializing, Fitness

PLANS AFTER HIGH SCHOOL: Attend Heartland CommunityCollege for Elementary Education.

FAVORITE MOVIE: Lilo & Stitch

MOST INSPIRATIONAL SONG: “Love Myself” by Hailee Steinfeld

LAST WORDS OF ADVICE: “You can’t please everyone.”

FAVORITE TEACHER/CLASS: Favorite class is Elementary Education 2 because I am able to attend an internship and have outside experiences.

Upperclass Acts

Jacob Dewald

NAME: Jake Dewald

FAVORITE AUTHOR/BOOK: The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins

NICKNAMES: Jacob, Dewald

MOST POSITIVE MOMENT: Going to state and having the pep rally with the cross country team.

ROLE MODEL(S): My dad and grandpa

ACTIVITIES @ PTHS: Cross Country, Basketball, and Track

PET PEEVES: When people chew with their mouth open.

FONDEST MEMORY OF HIGH SCHOOL SO FAR: Qualifying to state at sectionals with the 4x4 relay.

WHAT MY FRIENDS WILL REMEMBER ABOUT ME: Being a good friend and teammate and making people laugh.

3 MAJOR AREAS OF INTEREST: Sports, physical activity, spending time with friends and family.

HOW WOULD YOU SPEND $1,000,000? Buy a lake house and invest the rest of it.

PLANS AFTER HIGH SCHOOL: To attend Indiana Wesleyan University and run Track and Field.

IF YOU WERE STRANDED ON A DESERT ISLAND, WHAT 3 ITEMS WOULD YOU WANT WITH YOU? A bow, machete, and a saw LAST WORDS OF ADVICE: “Don’t wait to get involved and find the right people for you. Spending time with others makes everything more fun.”

FAVORITE MOVIE: Remember the Titans

MOST INSPIRATIONAL SONG: “Humble and Kind” by Tim McGraw

FAVORITE TEACHER/CLASS: PE with Coach Christenson

Black History Month Celebrates Coach Tony Dungy By Taylor Henson

On a rainy day in Florida on the 4th of February, 2007, history was made for the Indianapolis Colts and their head coach. It happened during the Super Bowl during Black History Month. Coach Tony Dungy, while growing up, was known to excel at football, basketball, and track and field. Dungy has accomplished many feats in his career; for example, he was the first NFL coach to defeat all 32 teams. Another great example is he was one of the youngest assistant coaches at age 25 and team coordinator later at age 28. He later went on to coach the Indianapolis Colts. As a franchise, the Colts have won the Super Bowl twice under two different head coaches. In 2007, Tony Dungy made history by leading his team to the championship and winning as the first African American head coach to win a Super Bowl ring. To accomplish this, the Colts had to overcome the Chicago Bears. The final score of the 41st Super Bowl was 29-17.

Book Review

Lover Girl By Raegan Fordemwalt

By Emmalee Hammer

Lover Girl is a poetry book about a girl’s encounter with love. The book is a collection of poems used to tell the story of love, heartbreak, and healing, separated into four chapters, each one representing a different phase in “Lover Girl’s” breakup. The book also includes illustrations drawn by Fordemwalt that aid in establishing a mood throughout the story. In the first chapter, “Beginners Guide to Heartbreak,” Lover Girl talks of her love for the boy who broke her heart and her longing for him. However, despite the fact that she seems to be very fond of their memories, it is clear that their relationship was far from perfect, with her even saying that she is romanticizing how things were with him. The second chapter, “Lover Girl,” shows her recalling all of the memories she has with the boy. She thinks of the pleasant times that they had together and wonders: If she had done something different would they still be together? Lover Girl then starts seeing him everywhere. She can’t listen to their favorite songs or wear certain outfits, and she begins despising the person that she is. However, despite this, she still tries to look for a reason every day, to keep going, try new things, and experience life. On very rare occasions she may go an entire day without thinking of the boy who broke her heart. The third chapter, “Someone Else,” is about the devastation that Lover Girl feels when her boy falls for a new girl. Lover Girl portrays very complex feelings about the girl because while she is devastated, she can’t help but think that this new girl is perfect and she begins dressing and acting like her. In her despair, she states that she will never love again. Also referring to herself as “unlovable,” Lover Girl remains shattered. At the end of this chapter, however, Lover Girl realizes that although she may have lost herself, she is no longer in love with that boy. However, this realization does not make her happy. The fourth and final chapter, “The Stars in the Sky,” shows Lover Girl as she finally realizes that the world is bigger than just one person. She starts wearing gray again, watching her favorite movies, and belonging to herself. She says that she is proud to have loved, regardless of the outcome, and that her relationship with the boy was rare, but eventually, she will find someone else. She also realizes that letting go of someone else has given her the space to appreciate the person that she is. Lover Girl ends the book by saying that she enjoys being a lover girl regardless of whether she gets hurt because love is bigger than her or any heartbreak, and it feels good to love.

Overall, I give this book a 10/10.

Movie Review

By Tyler Drechsel

La La Land

La La Land focuses on two characters both wanting to make something more for themselves. Sebastian, a pianist who’s forced to waste his talents performing basic background music for restaurants, and Mia, an aspiring actress who can’t get any roles. The two initially resent each other after a few sour interactions, but after sharing a musical number and a walk around Hollywood, they find that they have a lot in common. They begin dating each other, and as their relationship progresses, so do their dreams. Mia makes progress in her acting career when she writes and performs a play, and Sebastian joins a band and begins making enough money to establish a club for himself. But as the two get closer to the dream they’ve worked so hard to achieve, they’re faced with the difficult fact that they can’t have everything. And they need to decide whether or not they want to sacrifice their relationship for their dream that’s so close to becoming reality. La La Land is a unique film because of how it manages to create such a quirky and whimsical world, and simultaneously tell an emotional and impactful story to the viewer. The love story is very impactful and could have worked very well on its own, but the musical aspect is what makes the movie feel so magical. There are many moments in this film where the acting and dialogue is responsible for portraying emotion, but the majority of the emotion is portrayed through absolutely gorgeous musical and dance sequences. It baffles me that a movie with such an emotional and mature story can fit into such a quirky and magical world, but it does. The glorified artistic style, beautiful colors, music, choreography, mix of classic and modern film style gives this film such a magical feeling. It then combines that with a mature and emotional love story, creating something unlike any movie I’ve ever seen before. It’s like a phenomenal story that takes place in the most insane dream ever. It doesn’t seem real, and it’s something that needs to be experienced to be understood. I can’t recommend it enough. 10/10.

Musical Review

By Mady Herkert

Moulin Rouge!

February is here and love is in the air! Moulin Rouge! , a 2018 musical based on the 2001 film, is a love story between a young composer and a cabaret actress. We start here in Paris, France, during the turn of the 20th century. Act 1 shows us the rundown of this cabaret club. One night, the young composer named Christian walks into the club and meets Satine. The two eventually fall in love and write a song together to affirm their love. Later in the Act, they meet the Duke of Monroth who is planning to buy the club and turn it into his own realm of wonder. Satine and the other dancers are not happy with what the Duke plans on doing. Meanwhile, in order to keep the peace, Satine and Christian have to keep their relationship simple because it endangers the show. But just before Act 2, we discover Satine has been coming down with tuberculosis. In Act 2 we see there are auditions for a Bohemian Rhapsody performance. However, in the Champs-Élysées neighborhood, the Duke tells Satine that he wants every part of her, including her heart. Despite Satine's protests that she does not "fit in" with the upper-class society of Paris that he inhabits, he remodels her image against her wishes. Back in rehearsals, the Duke continues to involve himself in the show's creative aspects to playwright Toulouse's frustration. Toulouse argues with the Duke and the tension increases. It becomes clear that Bohemian Rhapsody is a metaphor for Christian, Satine, and the Duke, resulting in an outburst by Christian. The Duke, enraged, threatens to reconsider his investment entirely. Zidler reminds Satine that she alone can fix the dilemma with the Duke. Satine's terrible illness worsens, but she urges her colleagues not to share that she is ill; she wants to fight to keep the Moulin Rouge alive and for the play to go on. But behind the stage, a dancer named Nini falls in love with the choreographer (Santiago) of the performance. Nini then talks to Satine and tells her to be careful with her relationship with Christian so it keeps the Duke happy. Toulouse and Santiago tell Christian he needs to forget about Satine and move on. At his castle, the Duke threatens Satine from being with Christian ever again, saying that he will have Christian killed if she chooses him. Christian interrupts their conversation to try to save Satine, singing their secret song that occurred in Act 1. Knowing that Christian would be killed if she says otherwise, Satine tells Christian that she doesn't love him. Christian leaves feeling heartbroken and destroyed. Christian decides that without Satine's love, he will load a prop gun with real bullets and commit suicide on stage during the clubs opening night. Meanwhile, Satine's illness dramatically worsens. Together, she and Toulouse stand up to the Duke, who leaves the Moulin Rouge before the performance begins. As Satine performs, Christian enters and asks her to face him as he turns the gun his way. Before he pulls the trigger, Satine sings their secret song, all at once saving his life and revealing to him that she loved him the entire time. After a final song together in which the two affirm their love one last time, Satine tells Christian to "tell our story" and subsequently dies in his arms. Over a year later, Bohemian Rhapsody is a success, and Zidler regains control of the Moulin Rouge. Christian affirms that his and Satine's story will forever be told.

Meet a Poet By Myley Remkus

“Those Winter Sundays” by Robert Hayden

Sundays too my father got up early and put his clothes on in the blueblack cold, then with cracked hands that ached from labor in the weekday weather made banked fires blaze. No one ever thanked him. I’d wake and hear the cold splintering, breaking. When the rooms were warm, he’d call, and slowly I would rise and dress, fearing the chronic angers of that house,

Speaking indifferently to him, who had driven out the cold and polished my good shoes as well. What did I know, what did I know of love’s austere and lonely offices?

Robert Hayden was born as Asa Bundy Sheffey in 1913. He grew up in Paradise Valley, an African-American neighborhood in Detroit. Although the public does not know the details of his childhood, he spent part of his life raised by foster parents. He was very nearsighted, so he always gravitated towards books rather than sports. He graduated high school in 1932 and went off to attend Detroit City College on a scholarship. He later earned a degree in English literature from the University of Michigan. Some of his accomplishments include being the first Black faculty member in Michigan’s English department and becoming the first African American to be chosen as Consultant in Poetry to the Library of Congress. He lived a long life writing influential poetry on the Black experience and history. He wrote nine collections of poetry during his life, many upon Black historical figures and events in history. At sixty-six years of age, Robert died of cancer, surrounded by his beloved wife and daughter. In “Those Winter Sundays,” Hayden is speaking from a reflection point of view. He is thinking about when he was a child and would watch his dad wake up on Sundays. Despite the cold weather, he would provide for his family. In the first stanza, one can assume that the father worked very hard during the week, but he is continuing to get up on a Sunday (the day of rest) and continue the cycle. Additionally, the first stanza states that no one is appreciating his hard work. It seems that Hayden is realizing that he did not see the sacrifices his dad made. This poem also seems to touch on how Hayden’s dad showcased his fatherly love. This poem shows a family relationship not through dialogue, but rather the small gestures that may go unnoticed by the children.

Recipe of the Month By Casey Taylor Lemon Squares: A Delightful and Fresh Treat

Editor-in-Chief: Lilian Rainbolt The Chief Staff Tyler Drechsel Brieaunna Duck Emmaleee Hammer Taylor Henson Mady Herkert Abe Jean Jacques

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