The CHIEF October 2020

CHIEF OCT, 2020 PONTIAC TOWNSHIP HIGH SCHOOL The

UPPERCLASS ACTS

MUSIC AND CLUB UPDATES Read about what is going on in our music department and extra-curricular organizations

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

While we all may miss the late night football games and Homecoming Dance we usually get to experience this time of year, we must remind ourselves that this school year is what we make of it, so let ’ s make this year one to remember!

A NOTE FROM YOUR EDITOR

By Joe G i l mo r

Hey, everybody, and thanks for tuning in to this month ’ s edition of The Chief !

Thank you all for stopping by, and I hope you all enjoy another edition of The Chief!

Now that we ’ ve all had a chance to get acquainted with the many changes COVID-19 has presented us, it seems that things are getting back to normal at PTHS! Student organizations such as Key Club and Student Council have started up once again, and teachers have been working hard to provide their students with the best possible classroom experience.

Joe Gilmor, Editor-in-Chief

N O M A D I C |

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Student Teacher Interview: Ms. Barickman By Ava Nollen

Every year, there are many new students walking the halls of PTHS. This year, we also have a new student teacher, Ms. Lindsey Barickman! She is currently going to college at Illinois State University and is student teaching in Art with the guidance of Mr. Vogt. According to Ms. Barickman, “In high school I wanted to be a vet first, but it didn’t work out. My grandma is an artist, and I took and enjoyed art classes, and those things pushed me to pursue art.” She decided to come to Pontiac to student teach after she went to a Livingston County art show and was impressed with the PTHS students' artwork there. When asked about her favorite part of teaching here, she said, “The students. I love their enthusiasm, and they are very willing to work through time constraints and other challenges COVID-19 poses.” Her favorite mediums are ceramics and graphite drawings.

Music Update

By: Alyssa Rodriguez Band Update

As the school year becomes more of a routine for the students and staff, many classes have begun to have a rhythm. In Band, students have been working mostly on playing songs that are typically played for events such as football games. Night time rehearsals have also taken place and during that time the whole band is together, not separated into orange and blue groups. In the past few weeks, Mr. Schickel and Mr. Roberts have been setting up small section contests such as “crazy sock night” or “funny hat night” to bring some spirit and some good competition to the table. Along the way, the directors have also been trying to incorporate some marching skills and techniques into our band time. Outside of school and away from the building, virtual lessons are also being held so that every student has one on one time with one of the directors to work on individual technique training. Even though the way Band is running now is not how anybody imagined it would be going, everyone is thrilled to be playing together with their fellow musicians. Madrigals is going in full swing as much as it can get at this point of the year. Monday night practices are going strong and the songs are getting recorded for the first time in preparation for a Madrigal CD. Mr. Durbin and the group are working as diligently as possible to get something out there for the people to listen to and enjoy in the safety of their own homes. Sadly, due to the Elks being under new management and the restrictions in place due to Covid-19, there will be no dinner at the Elks Lodge this year, but that doesn’t mean there will be no Madrigal performances around the town. They will hopefully be performing at the tree lighting ceremony downtown on December 4, so you will be able to go and see them sing and perform live during the ceremony. Until then we will keep you posted and updated on everything Madrigal related and if anything changes on performances around town or any cancellations of Madrigals in general. Madrigals Update By: Alaska Bennett

Student Council Update B y J a s m i n e W h i t e

The Student Council has three activities as of now that are and will be happening throughout these upcoming months. One activity that is happening right now by the Student Council is the Pontiac Perspective. It is a weekly broadcast that displays sports scores, upcoming events, and other fun segments. We are looking for more people to join- if you are interested, please contact Mr. Durbin, Mr. Hackler, or Lydia Grampp to join. You do not have to be in Student Council to join the Pontiac Perspective. People that join can help make segments, videotape segments, and eventually help edit. The second activity the Student Council is sponsoring is a Pumpkin Contest. It will be held on October 29th. It’s a Fall Fest thing- bring your own pumpkin, and you will receive a prize if you win. The final activity is the Season of Giving, which will be held one week from November 9th to November 13th. A list of charitable items will be posted closer to that time. Please bring as many donations as you can due to the short timeframe.

Key Club Update B y E m i l i e C o l l i n s

The Pontiac Key Club has not rested in their service-oriented mission, despite quarantine and social distancing. During quarantine and the summer break, officers and members took time to serve their community in any way they could. One of the group projects was to write letters to nursing home residents. This project went well, and some members even received letters back! The Key Club has continued to serve the community in socially distanced ways too. They hosted a roadside cleanup in which 15 members and both advisors took part in. They filled over 20 garbage bags with trash left on the roadside of Route 66 on the edge of town. They’ve had a great start to their year and are excited to continue what they started. The Key Club is a committed group of individuals who are looking to adapt to new ways of serving their community and school with all of the new guidelines in place.

Upperclass Acts

Sydney Shepherd

NAME: Sydney Shepherd

MOST POSITIVE MOMENT: Beating Central Catholic at home my junior year in volleyball.

NICKNAMES: Syd

ROLE MODEL(S): My Parents and Mr. & Mrs. Dewald.

PET PEEVES: People chewing too loud, people eating with their mouth open, and people who tap their feet or pencils in a dead silent room during a test or class in general. WHAT MY FRIENDS WILL REMEMBER ABOUT ME: I think my friends will remember how I was always there for them whenever they needed me and was always willing to help them with things in or outside of school. IF YOU WERE STRANDED ON A DESERT ISLAND, WHAT 3 ITEMS WOULD YOU WANT WITH YOU? Phone, food, and water. LAST WORDS OF ADVICE: “I know this is super cliché, but high school goes by so fast and even though you spend a lot of it wishing you graduated already, just make the most of the time you have in high school. Go to the that football game, school dance, and make tons of memories with your friends. You won’t regret it.” HOW WOULD YOU SPEND $1,000,000? College, new car, shopping spree, and savings.

ACTIVITIES @ PTHS: Volleyball, Softball,and Key Club

FONDEST MEMORY OF HIGH SCHOOL SO FAR: Any Friday Night Lights and dressing up with the theme. And Homecoming week!

3 MAJOR AREAS OF INTEREST: Ice cream, sports, and science.

PLANS AFTER HIGH SCHOOL: Go to a four year out of state college and major in Nursing.

FAVORITE MOVIE: A Dog’s Purpose

MOST INSPIRATIONAL SONG: “You Say” by Lauren Daigle

FAVORITE TEACHER/CLASS: Anatomy with Mr. Nollen

FAVORITE AUTHOR/BOOK: Everything Everything by Nicola Yoon

Upperclass Acts

Mason Rork

NAME: Mason Rork

FAVORITE AUTHOR/BOOK: The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn by Mark Twain

ROLE MODEL(S): My dad.

ACTIVITIES @ PTHS: Tennis

MOST POSITIVE MOMENT: When I got my dog.

FONDEST MEMORY OF HIGH SCHOOL SO FAR: Hanging out with friends. Junior year was the best so far.

PET PEEVES: When people ask me a lot of questions.

3 MAJOR AREAS OF INTEREST: Business, Chemistry, Engineering

WHAT MY FRIENDS WILL REMEMBER ABOUT ME: How much I annoyed them.

HOW WOULD YOU SPEND $1,000,000? Invest in stocks.

PLANS AFTER HIGH SCHOOL: Attend college

FAVORITE MOVIE: Deadpool

IF YOU WERE STRANDED ON A DESERT ISLAND, WHAT 3 ITEMS WOULD YOU WANT WITH YOU? Food, water, and a boat. LAST WORDS OF ADVICE: “Don’t take anything for granted and remember that life goes by fast, so enjoy it while you have the chance.”

MOST INSPIRATIONAL SONG: “Strawberry Fields Forever” by the Beatles

FAVORITE TEACHER/CLASS: Mr. Christie in the one and only AP U.S.

Film Review

By Conrad Skryzpiec

Enola Holmes

One of the more recent films to be released this year was Enola Holmes , directed by Harry Bradbeer. In this film, Enola (Millie Bobby Brown) uses her expert sleuthing skills in her search to find her recently-missing mother, evade her meddling brothers Sherlock (Henry Cavill) and Mycroft (Sam Claflin), and help her new friend, a runaway lord. Set in 1880s England, the film explores many different areas of the nation, ranging from the slums of London to the estate of Basilweather. This film is filled with twists and turns that leave the watcher wondering what will happen next. Fans of mysteries, comedies, and action films will all find something to enjoy with this film. The theme of individual empowerment runs throughout the film, as Enola shows everyone that she doesn’t need anyone’s help, and is just as capable on her own. Some things were a little cliché, that’s all I can say without major spoilers. Overall, a very good movie with a satisfying ending. 8/10

Book Review

By Callie Dalton

Jane Austen's Pride and Prejudice

Jane Austen’s Pride and Prejudice , one of the world’s most popular novels, describes the way of life among England’s most wealthy and fascinating characters. Set in the early 1800’s, the plot of Pride and Prejudice centers around a young lady’s journey in young adulthood, particularly her duty of marrying advantageously. Austen is humorous and profound in her description of society and formality, inviting readers into the drama and intricacies of the relationships she creates. The novel begins in the home of the Bennet family, bustling with excitement over the newest arrival to the countryside: a wealthy young man. While Mrs. Bennet raves over the possibility of the man marrying one of her young daughters, we are introduced to our main character: Elizabeth Bennet. Elizabeth is intelligent, quick witted, and charming, sticking out from the other- often foolish- ladies surrounding her. Conflict arises when Elizabeth meets the seemingly proud and rude Mr. Darcy. In their first interactions, a reader might not suspect their romantic compatibility. As the title describes, it is pride and prejudice regarding the other that keeps them apart initially. Small and subtle interactions slowly peel away each of the characters’ negative judgements of each other, revealing a loving fondness towards the end of the novel. Austen’s Pride and Prejudice is a beautiful glimpse into the female experience during the early 1800’s. She writes femininity with such a loving familiarity that any reader can, for a moment, imagine themselves as a respectable young lady looking for a husband.

The Chief Staff

Creative Corner: Tired, Rambling Thoughts

Joe Gilmor: Editor-in-Chief

Alaska Bennet Emilie Collins Callie Dalton Ava Nollen

By Callie Dalton

Alyssa Rodriguez Conrad Skryzpiec Gabe Travis Jasmine White

A late night kept me up. After two hours of looking into a blue computer screen, I get up for an ibuprofen. As I stand leaned up against the counter, my eyes focus on the faded colors of my plastic cup. The now abstract shapes used to be balloons. I remember that day... It was Julia Trembley’s birthday. Her mom bought these and laid them out all symmetrical on the table. I wish I could remember what we ate. I wonder what I scribbled in the card. I wonder how long she kept it. I always hate opening cards, silently reading them in front of the person that gave it to you. They always expect some sort of joyous reaction from “I hope you have a wonderful day,” even though they wrote it in their car before coming in. I always forgot to tell my mom that a classmate was having a birthday, she’d have to scramble for a gift to bring every time. Now I’m not really a party goer. It’s not mandatory to give every classmate an invite now. Previously I had been kind of riding on that... My head is pounding, I need to get some sleep.

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

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