The CHIEF January 2022

CHIEF PONTIAC TOWNSHIP HIGH SCHOOL The

JAN, 2022

FIRST SEMESTER RECAP Read a recap of PTHS's fall semester

UPPERCLASS ACTS

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

End of 1st Semester Recap By: Jack Demopoulos

The 1st semester seemed like it came and went. For some too fast and for others not fast enough. I hope all of you had a wonderful break as I myself must say I had a pretty nice break myself. With 1st semester being over it's nice to go over some exciting things that happened in the 1st semester. Unfortunately, the football season didn’t go the way we hoped it would with a 1-8 record. However, we believe that the team have a better season next year! We couldn’t go over the first semester of this school year without mentioning Homecoming! One thing that didn’t feel right about last year school year (besides the whole COVID situation) was missing out on Homecoming, which was very unfortunate. Being able to have it this year really gave PTHS students a chance to get out and have a good time without the constraints of a mask. Let’s hope that the 2nd semester can be as good as the first semester and have a great finish to the year!

The Madrigal Dinners Through the Eyes of the Court Singers By: Ava Nollen

The annual Madrigal Dinner is a prestigious event that has been going on for more than fifty years. Its focal point, of course, are the Madrigal singers. But the true power lies in the Court Singers, who work tirelessly to serve the audiences and also to entertain them with singing. Comprised of girls from every grade, Court Singers help the Madrigal singers by bringing them water and serve all of the audience members the courses of the dinner. I interviewed a few Court Singers to get their views and ideas about the Madrigal Dinners and their experiences with it.

Vanessa Kapper (Soprano 1, 10th grade): Favorite memory: “Probably the time together, talking and getting ready.”

Emma Graegert (Soprano 1, 9th grade): Favorite memory: “Getting to serve people.”

Paige Olson (Alto 2, 12th grade): Favorite memory: “Being able to watch the show- it truly was magical being able to watch the show take place. All of the madrigals sounded absolutely beautiful.”

Faces in the Crowd By: Hannah Ricketts

Welcome back to the second semester! I hope everyone had a great break and are feeling energized for the fresh start. Grades start fresh, so it’s more important than ever to work hard in your classes. And, four students have been recognized for doing just that! Starting with Global Studies, Liv Lindsay has been a “consistent contributor” to the classroom environment. The final exam projects brought a lot of hard work and dedication, and she was up for the challenge. Her idea was “innovative and well thought out.” Known for her positive demeanor and willingness to learn, Liv has excelled in Global Studies. Next up, Levi Rients has been recognized in English class this month. He is known for his “dependable, supportive, and selfless” character, always willing to help those that need a little extra support, while never looking for something in return. While always staying on top of his academics, he is also a talented musician. In Math class this month, Brooke Burger has “demonstrated what it means to be a Pontiac Indian.” It’s said that she works hard to get a good education, never afraid to ask questions and understand her mistakes. Along with being dedicated to her education, Brooke has proven herself during this basketball season, which consists of long practices and late nights. Lastly, Aubreigh Carmack was recognized for her “optimistic outlook” in Science class this month. She takes the time to get to know her teachers, and gets along great with her classmates. She’s open about the things she is interested in and excited about, bringing an overall positive mood to the classroom. All of these students have done something, big or small, to prove themselves to their teachers. You have earned your recognition; keep working hard and congratulations on standing out in the crowd!

Mr. Mac’s random facts never fail to grow our interest and knowledge more in history, especially regarding English monarchy. This month he’s given information on Thomas Cromwell, who was the chief advisor for Henry VIII (King of England). After pushing a bad marriage match on the king, Cromwell was beheaded for treason. Now fast forward 109 years down the road to when Thomas Cromwell’s great-great grand- nephew, Oliver Cromwell, helped lead a rebellion against the monarchy which ultimately ended with the beheading of King Charles I. Two years later, Oliver had died and the monarchy of the new King Charles II had been restored. Oliver’s dead body was dug up and put on trial for the killing of the king, and even though he was dead, Oliver was still found guilty. His two-year- old corpse was then hanged and beheaded, and his head remained on a spike during all of King Charles II’s reign. The conflicts in those days were unbelievable and rather gruesome, so Mr. Mac left us with a lighthearted fact as well, which is that there are 1800 kinds of cheese in the world. That’s a pretty big number if you think about it!

Random Facts W I T H B I G MAC By: Emma O'Lone

Upperclass Acts

Emily Albrecht

NAME: Emily Albrecht

FAVORITE AUTHOR/BOOK: The War That Saved My Lif e by Kimberly Brubaker Bradley

NICKNAMES: Em, Emmy

ROLE MODEL(S): Beth and Ken Albrecht (parents)

MOST POSITIVE MOMENT: Being on the competition mat with the team I love the most.

ACTIVITIES @ PTHS: Cheerleading, Key club, Madrigals, Jazz Choir, National Honor Society

PET PEEVES: My dad critiquing my driving skills and my clothing choices

FONDEST MEMORY OF HIGH SCHOOL SO FAR: Madrigal Dinners 2021

WHAT MY FRIENDS WILL REMEMBER ABOUT ME: My resilience and kind heart.

3 MAJOR AREAS OF INTEREST: Cheerleading, singing, working

HOW WOULD YOU SPEND $1,000,000? After taking my family on a vacation and buying a house I would donate some money to an organization that supports equality and empowerment for young women. IF YOU WERE STRANDED ON A DESERT ISLAND, WHAT 3 ITEMS WOULD YOU WANT WITH YOU? A lighter, a tent, a machete LAST WORDS OF ADVICE: “Don’t waste your days worrying about the future and what is to come, spend your time in the present making memories with people who make you feel happiest.”

PLANS AFTER HIGH SCHOOL: I plan to move to Aurora and attend Waubonsee Community College to eventually pursue a career in business.

FAVORITE MOVIE: Divergent

MOST INSPIRATIONAL SONG: “Walking on Sunshine” by Katrina and the Waves

FAVORITE TEACHER/CLASS: My favorite teacher is Mrs. Janz although many teachers have made a great impact in my learning career and also my life in general.

Upperclass Acts

Sam Kelly

NAME: Sam Kelly

FAVORITE AUTHOR/BOOK: Macbeth by Shakespeare

NICKNAMES: Mike (given to me by Dr. Soares)

MOST POSITIVE MOMENT: Performing at the freshman year U of I Marching Band competition.

ROLE MODEL(S): Sandy Schade (my Grandma)

ACTIVITIES @ PTHS: Band, Choir, Madrigals, Scholastic Bowl, the school play

PET PEEVES: Loud noise when I’m trying to focus on something (especially driving).

FONDEST MEMORY OF HIGH SCHOOL SO FAR: Playing Mario Kart on the big overhead projector in the auditorium for a key club event.

WHAT MY FRIENDS WILL REMEMBER ABOUT ME: Either my sense of humor or my love for music. HOW WOULD YOU SPEND $1,000,000? I would pay for college, some new instruments, and then save the rest or donate it to churches. IF YOU WERE STRANDED ON A DESERT ISLAND, WHAT 3 ITEMS WOULD YOU WANT WITH YOU? A stable internet connection to communicate with others, a piano, and plenty of food for me and a dog. LAST WORDS OF ADVICE: “No matter how old you are, get involved in the activities you love as you never know what could be taken away.”

3 MAJOR AREAS OF INTEREST: Music, Gaming, and Music Composition

PLANS AFTER HIGH SCHOOL: Go to college to become a music teacher.

FAVORITE MOVIE: La La Land directed by Damien Chazelle (music by Justin Horowitz)

MOST INSPIRATIONAL SONG: “The Frozen Cathedral” by John Mackey

FAVORITE TEACHER/CLASS: Mr. Schickel in Band

Film

Review

By Mason Christianson

Movie Review: Paul Thomas Anderson's Punch-Drunk Love

In preparation for Paul Thomas Anderson’s newest film Licorice Pizza , I decided to binge some of his films I have not yet seen. The mix of movies included The Master , Magnolia , and Punch-Drunk Love . One of these films has become one of my new favorite films. Punch-Drunk Love is the most oddball, most lovely, and most underappreciated film I have ever seen. The unique dialogue sounds so corny on paper, but PTA’s direction creates an atmosphere that allows for the world to feel so genuine. The bright cinematography, the lush song choices, and the COLORS used in each shot make for such a warm and inviting world to watch. The characters in Punch-Drunk-Love are also some of the funniest and wackiest characters in a film. The Egan family is so weird and rude that you hate to love them, the “love interest” in the film cannot be a real person (but that’s how you want the character to feel), and the soft-spoken Barry Egan (played brilliantly by Adam Sandler) is intriguing as a character. The music choices give such an insight into his state of mind, and his thoughts are so odd, but that is what makes him interesting. He says some of the most romantic things, which makes him even more charming. The characters in the film are very interesting and memorable, which makes the film more remarkable in my opinion. Overall, the film just understands what it feels like when somebody understands you on a level that you never knew before. Paul Thomas Anderson was getting married around the time of the film was made, so the themes of love and awkward but genuine dialogue are embedded in the center of the story. I love this film, and I believe it is one of the best films to come out in the 2000s.

Music

Review

By Olivia Schickel

The Album You missed: Collapsed in Sunbeams by Arlo Park

With an engaging yet calming sound, UK artist Arlo Park's debut album Collapsed in Sunbeams earned her two Grammy nominations yet remains unnoticed in the United States. The indie-pop album spans thirteen tracks, each with unique themes and stories to tell while sharing the same cohesive and straightforward sound and poetic lyrics. Each piece feels young and fresh, and you get as much out of listening as you put into it. Whether it's background music for a drive, songs to groove to, or an outlet to express emotion, this album has found a way to mold itself into whatever a listener needs at the moment. A highlight from the album is "Just Go," an upbeat and bright song that juxtaposes its feel- good sound quality with conflicting lyrics detailing struggle and lost trust. These contrasting components are found throughout the album and make engaging with the music as personal and explorative as you want it to be. Even though the exploration of heartbreak, self-discovery, and youth's struggles in Collapsed in Sunbeams hasn't made its way into mainstream American media, it's sure to gain traction as it grabs new listeners with its ear-catching beats and deeply personal lyrics, justifying its status as a Grammy nominee.

Literature

Review

By Vanessa Kapper

The Secret Language of Sisters is a fantastic novel that tells the story of a girl who, after being in a tragic accident, is left with locked-in syndrome while everyone around her thinks she is in a coma. This story was written by Luanna Rice, New York Times best-selling author of thirty-four novels. What I love about this story is how the point of view changes in each chapter, showing the progress of the girl slowly recovering, and her sister, who is left with guilt from the accident, trying to come to terms with what has happened. Not only is this story a tear-jerker, but it is also very suspenseful with an amazing moral, which is why I highly recommend it to you. Book Review: The Secret Language of Sisters by Luanne Rice

Literature

Review

By Paige Olson

Book Review: No Longer Human by Osamu Dazai

No Longer Human details the derelict life of Yozo Oba, an intelligent man with a notable lack of empathy. From the time Yozo could begin to retain memories, he felt isolated from the world around him. These core memories of alienation composed the tune the rest of his life would be played to. Going to university and finding a job were tasks that were expected of Yozo, yet he found them impossible to achieve. Eventually, he turns toward substance abuse to quiet the pain of his loneliness. Yozo passed in a small home with no one around him; no one to tell the story of the struggles he had been through. Severe depression had plagued Yozo’s life since his childhood, following him for the rest of his days. Similar to the author, Osamu Dazai, he had attempted to end his life multiple times. The character of Yozo is scarily visceral, the ups-and-downs of his condition explaining the disparaging behavior and disrespectful treatment of others a person may display that readers may not otherwise understand.

Pep Band Update

Ava Nollen: Editor-in-Chief The Chief Staff

By: Jasmine White

Aubreigh Carmack Mason Christianson Jack Demopoulos Brieaunna Duck Lydia Grampp Vanessa Kapper Sam Kelly Zoe Noles Emma O'Lone Paige Olson Olivia Schickel Conrad Skryzpiec Jasmine White

With the new year and semester starting, the band is starting up pep band again for the girls and boys basketball teams when they play at home. They have played some games already this January. Some of the fun tunes they play to bring the cheer and spirit into the games are “Happy” by Pharrell Williams, “Poker Face” by Lady Gaga, the NFL theme song from Fox Network, and many more. If you love to support the girls and boys basketball teams and love to listen to peppy tunes from the band, January 21 and 25 are the next dates for this month the band will be playing.

Mr. Blair, Faculty Sponsor Dr. Soares, Faculty Sponsor The CHIEF logos designed by Abbi Schott

PTHS Student Survey By: Aubreigh Carmack

Enjoy creative writing? If you ever would ever like to see your creative pieces in The Chief , contact Dr. Soares or Mr. Blair!