The CHIEF March 2021

CHIEF MAR, 2021 PONTIAC TOWNSHIP HIGH SCHOOL The

UPPERCLASS ACTS

EXTRACURRICULAR ACTIVITIES UPDATE

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

Read about what's going on in some clubs and organizations around PTHS.

A NOTE FROM YOUR EDITOR

By Joe G i l mo r

Hey, everybody! Thanks for tuning in to another edition of The Chief !

With the second semester now well underway, it seems that life is beginning to return to normal at PTHS. The Scholastic Bowl team is wrapping up a successful season, and athletes and fans alike are looking forward to a potential football season this spring. Students and faculty have finally become accustomed to this year’s unique class structure, creating a learning environment remarkably similar to those of previous school years, and filling the halls with careful optimism. As we ease through the remainder of the semester, you can count on us to keep you updated on all of the latest here at PTHS. Thanks again for tuning in, and I hope you enjoy this month’s edition of The Chief ! Your Editor-in-Chief, Joe Gilmor

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Women's History Month By Callie Dalton

This March we celebrate yet another history month! Women’s history, much like Black history, is integral to the progress of civil rights in America from the suffragette movement in the early 1900’s to the many Black women who marched in DC to secure the rights of African Americans in the 60’s. While celebrating the accomplishments of women in history, we often find that Black women’s history is overlooked. The experience of women of color has especially been that of hardship in the face of both misogyny and racism. Regardless of this distinction, “women” are often lumped together, which in turn erases the particular accomplishments of black and brown women. It is important to understand the vast experiences of women in America, and when we do, I believe that our appreciation of the progress made can only grow.

War of the Worlds Coming to PTHS

This year the play will be a never before seen production for PTHS! The play is War of The Worlds , a radio play about aliens invading America, full of action and intensity. The special part is that the play will not be in person, it will be broadcast over the radio so everyone can tune in! The plan is to broadcast it sometime in mid-March. After a school year full of uncertainties and cancellation, it is an exciting opportunity to be able to participate in the play!

Scholastic Bowl Update By: Emilie Collins

Activities Update

Despite the differences from years past, the Scholastic Bowl team has been able to keep learning and competing. This year the team has been competing in virtual meets with schools such as Seneca, Prairie Central, IVC, and others via media platforms like Zoom and Discord. There are in- person practices taking place once a week and the team even got to compete in-person in a round-robin tournament against each other. The regular season is almost over and the regionals will begin on March 8. We wish them congratulations on their season so far and good luck in the rest of it as the end quickly approaches.

By: Alaska Bennett Jazz Choir Update

As the fall school semester has gone by along with 2020, we can put behind us some of the trials that faced the globe during the year. Thankfully, the Madrigals were able to put together one last memory to help make 2020 seem a little less dreary. Directed by Mr. Durbin, the Madrigals created a video consisting of twenty minutes of holiday carols and nice messages from all of the ensemble members wishing everyone glad tidings as we welcome in the New Year. The video, titled “Madrigal Album,” is located on the PTHS Music Facebook page and also on YouTube. 2020 was hard on everyone, but the Madrigals persevered to give the year a happy note to end on.

Upperclass Acts

Anneke Esposito

NICKNAMES: Nic

FAVORITE AUTHOR/BOOK: Love You Forever by Robert Munsch

ROLE MODEL(S): My sister

ACTIVITIES @ PTHS: Swimming & Diving, Tri-M, Band, Key Club

MOST POSITIVE MOMENT: Breaking two school records for diving.

FONDEST MEMORY OF HIGH SCHOOL SO FAR: My fondest memory of high school would be marching at Disney World my sophomore year with the band and spending time with my friends.

PET PEEVES: People being rude and slacking off

WHAT MY FRIENDS WILL REMEMBER ABOUT ME: My height because I’m short and how friendly I am to others.

3 MAJOR AREAS OF INTEREST: Interior designing, Art, and Psychology

HOW WOULD YOU SPEND $1,000,000?: I would spend it on college, future investment, and charity.

PLANS AFTER HIGH SCHOOL: I plan to attend ISU and major in Elementary Education and minor in Psychology. My goal is to become a teacher and later join the Peace Corps.

IF YOU WERE STRANDED ON A DESERT ISLAND, WHAT 3 ITEMS WOULD YOU WANT WITH YOU? Fire starting kit, family photo, and a supply of food/water.

FAVORITE MOVIE: Grease

MOST INSPIRATIONAL SONG: “Keep Your Head Up” by Andy Grammer

LAST WORDS OF ADVICE: “Work towards your goals and never give up. It’s okay to make mistakes, just fake it till you make it.”

FAVORITE TEACHER/CLASS: Psychology with Mr. Sweetwood

Upperclass Acts

Camryn Mies

NICKNAMES: Cam

MOST POSITIVE MOMENT: Helping residents while doing my clinicals as a CNA.

ROLE MODEL(S): My parents

PET PEEVES: Loud chewing and harsh judgment of others

ACTIVITIES @ PTHS: National Honors Society, choir, Madrigals, Jazz Choir, and swim team.

WHAT MY FRIENDS WILL REMEMBER ABOUT ME: I would hope they would remember me as someone who was caring and as nice as possible, even through hard times. HOW WOULD YOU SPEND $1,000,000? I would probably invest some of the money for myself and the remaining money I would either give to a charity or to others in poverty. IF YOU WERE STRANDED ON A DESERT ISLAND, WHAT 3 ITEMS WOULD YOU WANT WITH YOU? A friend/family member, endless supply of water, and a rescue radio. LAST WORDS OF ADVICE: “Don’t stress about the future. Whatever is meant for you will come your way.”

FONDEST MEMORY OF HIGH SCHOOL SO FAR: Going on the choir and band trip to Disney World.

3 MAJOR AREAS OF INTEREST: Nursing, helping others, and learning new information.

PLANS AFTER HIGH SCHOOL: I am going to college to pursue a nursing degree.

FAVORITE MOVIE: High School Musical 3

MOST INSPIRATIONAL SONG: “Stand Up” by Cynthia Erivo

FAVORITE TEACHER/CLASS: A.P. Biology

FAVORITE AUTHOR: Suzanne Collins

Film Review

By Gabe Travis

Pixar's Up

Pixar’s Up follows Carl Fredricksen, a 78-year-old balloon salesman, after losing his wife on a journey to fulfill a lifelong dream that they shared. He is accompanied by an energetic little boy named Russell. Released in 2009, it has been one of Pixar’s biggest hits in the animated film department scoring over 731 million in the international box office with a budget of only 175 million to create the film. The story has a total runtime of 96 minutes and is a good film for a family movie night when everyone can sit down and enjoy a good movie together. The movie is currently streaming on Disney+, so if you’re looking lift your spirits, give the plot and characters of this film a watch.

Music Review

By Jasmine White

"Monsters" by All Time Low

I am doing this music review on “Monsters” by All Time Low mainly because I have been hearing it quite a bit on the radio and it’s good. This whole song has a great beat and is relatable. The theme is about how the lead vocalist, Alex Gasgarth, reflects about his toxic relationship. It even has the singer Blackbear featured as he also puts in his own talk about his relationship difficulties. Everyone has those type of relationships that are toxic or close to it, so listeners might understand a line like, “Why do all the monsters come out at night?” Even if you haven’t experienced a toxic relationship, this song gets you in an upbeat and emotional feel. I would definitely recommend this song to just listen to or to sing to get all your pent up feelings out. 5 out of 5 stars.

The Chief Staff

Water, the object of my affection Raging seas, crashing waves, waterfalls glide Uncertain, in which I see my reflection In a landlocked place, I long for the tides The ocean floor, a total mystery What lies in the vast, dark watery depths Great discoveries, changing history Riveting, the sea takes away my breath Oceans can also be unforgiving The horror stories are at no shortage Sirens bewitch you to do their bidding Pirates know all about a ship's cordage Creative Corner: Student Poetry A Shakespearean Sonnet by Ava Nollen

Joe Gilmor: Editor-in-Chief

Alaska Bennet Emilie Collins Callie Dalton Ava Nollen

Alyssa Rodriguez Conrad Skryzpiec Gabe Travis Jasmine White

Mr. Blair, Faculty Sponsor Dr. Soares, Faculty Sponsor

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

Unpredictable, wild, loving, and sweet To know this creature is a hopeless feat