The CHIEF November 2021

CHIEF PONTIAC TOWNSHIP HIGH SCHOOL The

NOV, 2021

UPPERCLASS ACTS

ACTIVITIES UPDATE

Read about what's going on in activities like Scholastic Bowl and Pontio!

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

Marching Onward By: Sam Kelly

As the 2021 PTHS Marching Indians’ season comes to a close, many of the students in the senior class shed some tears and look back on all of the wonderful memories throughout their high school years. The Marching Indians gave their final performance at the University of Illinois 51st annual Marching Band competition. The Indians competed in class 2A and received 4th place out of eleven schools in the same class. This year has been very emotional for many of the students as the events of last year left a bad taste in everyone’s mouths, as many of the activities including marching band were not able to be held. Overall, the students agree that this was one of the best marching seasons that they have ever had. Mason Christianson states, “It was really fun and I believe that we really pulled through and made something great.” The students at PTHS will no longer be marching this semester, but are starting up their concert band season. The band and choir will hold a conjoined Christmas concert at the PTHS Auditorium on Sunday, December 12. Please come out and see what the PTHS bands and choir are putting together!

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

We’re back once again with random facts from Mr. McElwee! Have you ever wanted to become a citizen of Europe? Well with Mr. Mac’s wisdom, he can guide you in how to do so. Going through Portugal’s visa program, you can make a “small” investment of at least 400,000 euros in Portuguese property. Investing in property will upgrade you to a Golden Visa, which then grants you citizenship. Sounds pretty achievable to me… Next up, Mr. McElwee gave us a darker fact about William Shakespeare. He said that Shakespeare forcefully took a theater from an angry landlord who wanted his actors off of his property. Without permission, Shakespeare and some of his friends decided to tear down the theater and use its materials to rebuild the iconic Globe Theatre, where later his actors would perform some of his most famous plays. So as it turns out, Shakespeare was not as great of a man as history makes him out to be.

Yellow Tulip Project By: Ava Nollen

The Yellow Tulip Project: it’s a project that destigmatizes mental illness in teens. In simpler terms, it’s a project that normalizes being open about mental health without being afraid of judgement. It was the summer before my sophomore year, in 2019, when my friend Emma O’Lone and me decided to attend a session at the Key Club international convention for the Yellow Tulip Project. This project opened our eyes to so many new opportunities we never knew were there. So many teens struggle with mental health and keeping a good balance between school and extracurriculars, and it's not easy (speaking from experience). Being able to talk about formerly taboo topics, like anxiety or depression, is incredibly important, especially after the year we just experienced. Olivia Schickel, Emma, and I became ambassadors for The Yellow Tulip Project this year. Olivia and Emma are lifelines for me, and I couldn’t have been happier to be in a group with them. Their positivity, friendship, and intellect are priceless. One of the options we explored within the Yellow Tulip Project was to bring a Hope Garden to the high school. With the help of Mr. Ritter and our Environmental Earth Science class, we planted a Hope Garden full of yellow tulips in front of the school. Hope Gardens are to symbolize hope and happiness. We also plan to act on more activities created by The Yellow Tulip Project throughout late fall and winter. Be sure to look out for these tulips in spring, and remember: hope is always out there.

Pontio Update By: Brieaunna Duck

Activities Update

PTHS’s yearbook, the Pontio , though released once a year, is worked on all year round. Our main job right now is to capture school events and pictures of classes. The classes we capture range anywhere from study hall to the more hands-on classes like Culinary. The Pontio club has been working together and have rounded up some really good pictures so far. The actual layout of the yearbook hasn’t begun yet, but gathering the contents for it has been enjoyable and will make for an amazing final result.

Student Council

By: Vanessa Kapper

The Student Council has enjoyed preparing for the holidays this November. They got off to a good start with teacher appreciation week, where they created a fun week planned for teachers and staff of PTHS. Students volunteered to serve coffee from Cup and Scone, served breakfast, gave gifts, and more. Student Council has also enjoyed preparing for Thanksgiving by their yearly “Season of Giving,” a collection of donations for Thanksgiving meals and fall/winter items. Being a school organization based on student volunteering, they are working very hard to gather volunteers for the Holiday Tournament and are excited to see how it will all play out.

Faces in the Crowd By: Hannah Ricketts

Scholastic Bowl Update Scholastic Bowl practices are into full swing, however it is not too late to sign up. Scholastic Bowl is a question-based competition where each side competes to answer questions first for points. The club has spent practices playing a few Kahoots, studying mythology and sharing a bunch of laughs. This quiz-like club is doable for anyone whether you consider yourself talented at trivia or not! Questions range from chemistry and history all the way to pop culture figures such as Pewdiepie and Taylor Swift! Practices are only once a week after school on Wednesdays and you will have so much fun! Mr. McElwee is the varsity coach, and Mrs. Buchanan is the junior varsity coach. Come test your random fact knowledge with the scholastic bowl team! the best possible education. First, it was stated that Calla Spandet has been doing exceptionally well in Global Studies this month. She is an “inspiring, kind, and supportive student,” always trying her best and participating during class. Calla is respectful of her peers and teachers, and an all-around great student to have in the classroom. Next, Noah Long was selected for Math class this month. He has excellent communication skills and is an incredibly responsible student. Noah participates often and has done a great job transitioning into high school. Adison Dearth was chosen in Science class this month. She cares a great deal about her academics, working hard every day to complete her work and do it well. Adison has proven her leadership skills, and is always willing to help those around her. Last, Seth Mund was chosen in English class this month. It was stated that he “consistently exceeds the expectations,” and his attitude and approach to his studies has a large influence on this. Seth is incredibly respectful to those around him and is beginning to show his leadership skills. These students have worked incredibly hard this month, and those efforts have not gone unnoticed. The FLC chose each of these students for a reason, and we should use them as an example of excellent ways to get involved during class and around the school community. Congratulations to these students for standing out in the crowd. By: Lydia Grampp FLC teachers recognized four students for their outstanding performance during class. The first term has come to a close, and these students are still working hard to ensure they get

Upperclass Acts

Conrad Skrzypiec

NAME: Conrad Skrzypiec

FAVORITE AUTHOR/BOOK: The Inheritance Cycle by Christopher Paolini

NICKNAMES: Cornbread, Comrade

ROLE MODEL(S): Tesla, Hawking, Bill Nye

MOST POSITIVE MOMENT: The feeling of pride we all had at the end of our final marching band performance at U of I my freshman year.

ACTIVITIES @ PTHS: Band, Jazz band, Choir, Madrigals, Scholastic Bowl, NHS, The Chief

PET PEEVES: People stopping and blocking the hallway

FONDEST MEMORY OF HIGH SCHOOL SO FAR: Marching at the Disney Parade my freshman year.

WHAT MY FRIENDS WILL REMEMBER ABOUT ME: My friends will remember me for being funny, smart, and always saying the wrong thing at the right time. HOW WOULD YOU SPEND $1,000,000? I would pay for me and my brother’s education, invest a decent amount, and then donate the majority. IF YOU WERE STRANDED ON A DESERT ISLAND, WHAT 3 ITEMS WOULD YOU WANT WITH YOU? Water filtration system, tinderbox, tarp. LAST WORDS OF ADVICE: “Talk to people. If you just talk to someone for a little bit during one class, it won’t take long to meet some of the best friends you’ll ever have.”

3 MAJOR AREAS OF INTEREST: Science, Music, Gaming

PLANS AFTER HIGH SCHOOL: Attend HCC then transfer to ISU to get my BSN and MSN to become an NP

FAVORITE MOVIE: The Princess Bride

MOST INSPIRATIONAL SONG: “The Man” by The Killers

FAVORITE TEACHERS: Mr. McElwee, Dr. Soares, or Mr. Nollen.

Upperclass Acts

Jasmine White

NAME: Jasmine White

MOST POSITIVE MOMENT: My presentation to CHSI about my prairie restoration and how to grow it that I worked on in Ritter’s environmental class.

NICKNAMES: Jazzy, Jaz

ROLE MODEL(S): My Grandma, Mom, and Dad

PET PEEVES: Slow drivers

ACTIVITIES @ PTHS: Band, Jazz Band, Mad Brass, Scholastic Bowl, Student Council, Math Team, National Honor Society, Tri-M and The Chief. FONDEST MEMORY OF HIGH SCHOOL SO FAR: Finishing my first final Marching Band performance at U of I in my freshman year and getting third place in our division.

WHAT MY FRIENDS WILL REMEMBER ABOUT ME: They will remember my cringey jokes that I tell and my pickiness about certain food. HOW WOULD YOU SPEND $1,000,000? I would pay off my parent’s debt as well as my college debt. I would give some money to my grandma because she has done almost everything besides my parents for me when growing up. Then I would put some money away for my two little sister to go to college for they do not have to worry. Lastly, I put the rest in savings. IF YOU WERE STRANDED ON A DESERT ISLAND, WHAT 3 ITEMS WOULD YOU WANT WITH YOU? A good book, a tent, and food LAST WORDS OF ADVICE: “Take all sorts of classes that might interest you because it will help you find what you want to do in the future if you haven’t figured out yet.”

3 MAJOR AREAS OF INTEREST: Civil Engineering, Spanish, and Business

PLANS AFTER HIGH SCHOOL: I plan to go to Southern Illinois University Edwardsville (SIUE) to get my bachelors in Civil Engineering and minoring in Spanish.

FAVORITE MOVIE: Fast and the Furious Saga

MOST INSPIRATIONAL SONG: “Centuries” by Fallout Boy

FAVORITE TEACHER/CLASS: Mr. Woith/ Engineering & Architecture

FAVORITE AUTHOR/BOOK: Red Queen by Victoria Aveyard

Film Review

By Olivia Schickel

Movie Review: Vivo

Like any good Disney-esque animated feature, director and writer Kirk DeMicco’s Vivo brings audience members of all ages through an unconventional and heart- warming journey that is applicable to life’s troubles. The musical comedy sports the trademark sound of Lin Manuel Miranda’s vocals through the title character’s adventures from Cuba to Florida to carry out the desires of an old friend and deliver a famous singer an earnest and profound love song. The film’s incredibly compelling soundtrack is at the center of the story, and is a primary component to the storytelling, but what is most impressive is the talented animation throughout the feature. The incredible detail spans from the vibrant skies to each stitch in an old man’s hat. Visual interest never drops in quality through the whole piece, and it's difficult to look away after pressing play. Even with the compelling animation, the story continues to shine, showcasing themes of love, loss, and regret bookended with goofy and larger-than-life characters that are easily parallels of modern-day children. The only issues that come up when watching the film are the quick tonal changes from one idea to another, which could give someone emotional whiplash as they closely follow the plot. However, Vivo’s bright and celebratory nature with the combination of laying heritage mixed with what it means to live in a modern world allows its faults to be forgiven and enjoyed by all ages.

Music Review

By Paige Olson

Music Review: Mitski

After a two-year hiatus, indie singer-songwriter Mitski shocks and surprises her fans with her newest single, "Working for the Knife." She sets aside her common usage of flowery lyrics, seen in songs such as "Upon a Burning Hill" and "I Bet on Losing Dogs," and instead adopts a much more blunt presentation of her thoughts. Lines like, "I always knew the world moves on/I just didn't know it would go without me" and "I used to think I'd be done by twenty/Now at twenty- nine, the road ahead appears the same" are nearly gut wrenching in their realism. While the song is somewhat brief at two minutes and forty seconds, Mitski is able to communicate with her audience how frustrated she is with having to exploit her pain and heartbreak to make a living. The success of her single being released caused the pre-sale tickets for her upcoming 2022 tour to be sold in mere hours; now myself and many other fans will be "working for the knife" in order to pay for resale prices.

Student

Poetry

Overthinking By: Grasey Cool

By: Jasmine White Legend of the Sword Everyone has heard this legend The sword that is to be reckoned And to be feared

Sometimes my brain, Is just too tired. Sometimes my brain, Barely works.

Everywhere it had cause chaos But to gain an award To whom found the sword have been lured No one can escape the power of the sword. May be granted a wish for whom seek it But it cost more than you admit

Thinking becomes difficult. Addition becomes geometry. Sometimes my mind, Is just liquid. But sometimes my brain, Is overpowered. Sometimes my brain, Works too much. What if they dont like me? What if I'm annoying them? Sometimes my mind, overthinks.

Willing to risk it all? For a chance for it to be real?

The Best Video Game Ever

The Chief Staff

By: Jack Demopoulos

Ava Nollen: Editor-in-Chief

Video games are a very interesting topic in my not-so-advanced opinion, so I thought I would give you my opinion of the best game ever made. Of course, my opinion is final and you have to agree no matter what! (for reasons that are a joke). So let me just give you my opinion already on the best video game. In my opinion the best video game is Minecraft . Some may disagree with that, but just hear me out before you say something. Minecraft has been out for over ten years now and it is still playable in so many different ways, where the only limit is your own imagination. Minecraft is the most sold video game by a very large margin. Yes, there is a technical end to the game but you can keep playing and play your own way by building your own structures and buildings. People have built incredible things that seem completely surreal in a game about blocks.

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

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!