2024-25 High School Confidential: Week 12

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Welcome to Year 9 of High School Confidential, powered by Danville Area Community College.

It's an award-winning project made possible by aspiring student journalists from every corner of our circulation area.

Each Thursday through April, theyll tell us whats happening in their hallways at news-gazette.com .

At least once a week, well also hand over our Snapchat account (News-Gazette) to our correspondents for behind-the-scenes tours.

Feedback? Email N-G/VP Jim Rossow at [email protected] .

On to this week's report ...

Students are preparing and finishing up projects related to finals week.

Students taking entomology finished bug collections by pinning and identifying the order of their insects inside of their box.

People in the X-time club are partnered with Champaign Central for a fun event for children in after-school programs.

Maegan Frye The cast list for Mamma Mia has been announced and includes Ava Sherwood, Anna Rawlins, Chloe Custer, Layla Deel, Maddix Stirrett, Ryan Appleby, Faemus Davison, Cash Hale, Addison Yeakel, Reese Peters, Annabelle Vanausdoll, Abigail Miller, Jaidyn Edwards, Sam Fowler, Hayden Ely, Ross Young, Bri Clayton, Ashby Coblentz, Kenzie Edwards, Lillian Evans, Azaellya Gentry, Sky Graham and Jorja Lebeter.

The play will take place March 14-16.

Addison Yeakel Students spread holiday cheer to Holly Brook Retirement and Assisted Living Facility residents.

Dressed in cheerful attire, they sang classic holiday songs to brighten the residents' day as they gathered along and enjoyed the Christmas spirit.

Stephanie Garza Ahead of break, students participated in dress-up days themed for Christmas.

To close out the festive week: the annual Christmas celebration on Friday, which consisted of pajamas, movies and tons of snacks.

Shoutout to popular teacher Tim Young, who volunteered to be the best Santa in town.

Pictured: sophomores Macie Williams, Fiona Deckard and Camdynn Rager.

Gabby Laskowski The Cerro Gordo-Bement girls' basketball team took third place in the Mike Walsh Memorial Tournament and followed that with a three-game week that included wins over Villa Grove (43-28) and Okaw Valley (54-24).

Pictured left to right: freshman Ramie Shaffer, senior Gabby Block, junior Kennedy Baker, senior Bailey Walter, sophomore Jillian Durbin and junior Addie Roberts (below).

Gabby Block Officers from Art Club received the opportunity to visit the Hooves of Hope, including Mylee Richardson, Lauren Boyd, Madison Williams, Jaelyn Atwood and Emily Key.

While there, they decorated windows with fake snow to create winter murals, allowing them to practice their art skills and learn something new while having fun.

Sydney Creason Scott Tongates woods class helped elementary students with a Christmas present for parents.

Carsyn Stiger Law in American Society students visited the Champaign Police Department and the Champaign County Courthouse and were able to watch two hearings and speak with a judge.

Centennial hosted the annual artisan fair where people from all over the community shared their artistic abilities.

This was a great opportunity for clubs and sports teams to fundraise for the upcoming year.

Allison Hemming Students and clubs gathered Friday to sell various snacks, crafts, ornaments and clothes at Centennial's Artisan Festival.

The festival took place during a Centennial basketball game, but the two schools, along with many outside vendors, worked together to make a community event in support of local businesses and school clubs.

Central clubs participating included the National Art Honor Society, African American Club, Best Buddies and Clay Club; and students Tode Wilson and Christina Guo sold jewelry and baked goods independently.

Charlotte Heads FFA members have been busy with Career Development Event (CDE) competitions.

They competed in the Section Dairy Foods CDE, placing third as a team and advancing to the state competition.

At state, Autumn Ellis placed 22nd overall and Sandra Burmood placed seventh in the Middle School Division.

Participants advanced to state in the agronomy competition after competing within the Section level.

Chrisman also competed in the Section Food Science CDE and took home first place as a team with four members placing in the Top 10.

Grayson Strange Last week, Cissna Park hosted its 38th annual Madrigals dinner done a little differently.

Without a high school chorus teacher, the performance is mostly student-led, although it would not be possible without Julie Yergler as coordinator.

She put everything together and led the actors, while junior Trent Schmid led the singing.

This tradition is something the community looks forward to every year, with over 200 people attending this year.

It always gets everyone in the Christmas spirit and brings the community together.

Pictured: (back row) Isaac Phelan, Ben King, Sawyer Kaeb, Ashlyn Schmid, Mady Marcott, Laura Eisenmann, Ava Henrichs, Trent Schmid, Savannah Kaeb, Hannah Kollmann, Annika Stadeli, Lily Heaton, Asher Scheffer and Jonah Yergler; and (front row) Austin Kaeb, Jonas Heaton, Skyler Estay, Keegan Reed, Julie Yergler, Julia Edelman, Hannah Kuester, Harmony Jones and Amelia Hodel; Keegan Reed and Julia Edelman; and Mady Marcott, Laura Eisenmann, Ava Henrichs, Trent Schmid, Savannah Kaeb and Hannah Kollmann.

Julia Edelman NAACP officially joined Danville High, with more than 25 members signing up.

During the meeting, President Ginysia Vander-Austin explained the goal of NAACP along with the exciting future plans awaiting them.

There were many other speakers giving motivational tips and best of wishes, including from State Sen.

Paul Faraci.

Photos courtesy Lori Woods.

Nadia Gamble Students and staff decorated Christmas trees to celebrate the holiday season.

Community members were able to vote on which tree they thought was the best during the Christmas concert that was held last Thursday.

The trees will be auctioned off at a later date.

Emma Westray There was friendly competition between staff last week thanks to a new game introduced by Matt Vogel.

The game, sort of like capture the flag, involved paper ninjas dressed up like Santa and a whole lot of sneakiness.

Emma Jent Students in Future Business Leaders of America collected coats from around town.

On Saturday, they stood outside and handed them to families in need.

Pictured: Dev Patel, Jason Christensen, Makayla Evens and Sarah Higgins.

Also, the girls basketball team beat Heyworth and Tremont to improve to 7-0.

Finally, Landon Lage won his bracket, and the wrestling team placed fourth at the Plano invite.

Anna Warren Band and chorus had their winter concerts, playing and singing Christmas classics and filling the audiences with Christmas spirit.

Madi Wilson Five anatomy students Olivia Swartz, Orion Gonzales, Cole Miller, Athan Linares and Macy Warner spent time dissecting sheep hearts and tackling a lab practical on it, identifying all of its parts and cavities.

Many fun and interesting science classes are taught by Adam Elliott, including forensic science, botany, microbiology, zoology and physics.

Pictured: Miller and Linares inspecting a sheep heart; Swartz using a probe on a sheep heart; and, left to right, Gonzales, Miller and Linares.

Macy Warner The Family Career and Community Leaders of America chapter held its annual Santas Workshop on Sunday.

Children were able to meet Santa and sip on hot chocolate, while high school members helped them create Christmas lists and make crafts.

Traeh Kissack During Christmas Spirit Week, student council hosted a fundraiser competition between classes to support Speed the Light.

The top three fundraising classes each selected a representative to face a fun holiday challenge: getting pied by the principal, eating a fruitcake or drinking a quart of eggnog.

Representatives were senior Keaton Welch, sophomore Andrew Herche and freshman Sophia Schuyler.

Together, the students raised over $500 to support Speed the Lights mission.

Maggie Newell Selected juniors and seniors were inducted into the National Honor Society.

Students submitted an anonymous application that was voted on by staff.

Previous members Thatcher Ross (senior) and Bo Zeleznik (senior) helped induct these students at the ceremony.

Left to right: Landon Welte (senior), Brandon Webner (senior), Ross, Zeleznik, Andrew Fleming (senior), Henry Thayn (junior), Colin Dunafin (senior), Isaiah Schertz (junior), Natalie Nordstrom (senior), Kinzie Moreland (junior), Emma Wiechman (junior), Katelyn Edgington (senior), Morgan Fleming (junior), Natalie Loy (senior) and Laila Carr (junior) Molly Scheuer Drama Club put on its annual Christmas play for Mahomet-Seymour Middletown Prairie Elementary students last week.

Brooklyn Dyer On Friday, students from culinary 1 and culinary 2 classes put together a Friendsgivingmas.

Throughout the week, students prepped and cooked meals to serve to each other.

Culinary 1 students made the side dishes, and culinary 2 students made turkey and desserts.

Pictured: Ryleigh Rieches preparing her plate; Dylan Potter, Gage Mann, Izzac Williams and Jacob Weakley preparing their plates; and Damian Salinas, Mario Grimaldo and Mario Martinez waiting to get their meals.

Kami Muehling Teachers vote on students they believe should represent the school at the Oakland Chamber of Commerce meeting every month.

Alexis Burch was chosen as the senior student of the month for December.

A hardworking high honor roll student, she received a designated parking spot, with a student of the month sign.

Carleigh Clifton National Honor Society students visited Meade Park Elementary in Danville to play games, read stories and pass out presents.

NHS adviser Amy Brant said what started as a service project a few years ago has turned into a lasting bond between the two schools.

I thought it would be a good experience for our students to experience student life outside of Oakwood.

The camaraderie at Meade Park is very inviting.

It is so heartwarming to see our high school students interacting with younger students they dont know and making those connections.

It is really hard to put into words, but the experience is beyond amazing for both schools.

Among the Comets taking part: seniors Bella Bradford, Landen Blundy, Saul Carrillo, Noah Carpenter, Jackson Dudley, Samantha Dunavan, Aubri Elliot, Quinn Sperry, Taylor Smoot, Thomas Wells and Mikayla Whaling.

This year was the first year we have gone in December, and we decided we were going to take gifts for every student we were meeting with.

Three hundred wrapped gifts later, we got to see a lot of smiles and gratitude from our little Meade Park friends.

I am so thankful we started going there but really feel blessed this year to experience those students excited to open the presents from our students and community.

Taylor Smoot Ahead of finals and winter break, the music department held a Madrigals dinner.

Cooper Anderson The music department put on a festive, winter concert, which featured the band, choir and Madrigals.

Students sang songs such as "White Winter Hymnal" by Pentatonix and "No Room" by Tracy Byrd.

Olivia Getty To celebrate the last full week before finals and break, STM held its annual house competition Christmas party.

There were four stations consisting of skateboard shuffle board, cookie decorating, Nativity re-enactment and Christmas song sing-along.

Additionally, students and staff could wear their ugliest Christmas sweaters.

Will Devocelle National Honor Society members met throughout the month to plan a surprise visit to Salt Fork North's Pre-K classes.

NHS ordered hardback books for every student in Pre-K, who were able to take them home and enjoy them for Christmas.

NHS wrapped 42 hardback books and delivered the books as a group last Friday.

Pictured: Salt Fork North's Lisa Spezia and Kali Fords Pre-K classes and NHS members.

Alexa Jamison Schlarman inducted three new members into its Athletic Hall of Fame: Jim Williams, Kyle OBrien and Zach Zedrick.

On top of this, the Tiny Toppettes packed the crowd for this game to celebrate.

Evy Kelsey Superintendent Morgan Wilhoit attended the Raising Student Achievement Conference in Oak Brook on Dec.

9.

The conference was for educators and administration to share ideas and improve student academics.

Wilhoit presented a seminar about student engagement and school culture with an analysis of teachers toward making school a positive environment with engagement.

Teacher Katie Clodfelder also attended alongside Wilhoit to collect ideas for the district.

Lydia Richardson Student council hosted a door-decorating challenge with the teachers with three prizes won by Mark Sweeney, Mike Resendiz and Kelsey Anderson.

The top two teachers used their higher-level classes as inspiration.

Santa Claus, Mrs.

Clause and Buddy the Elf made a special appearance for a fun Christmas assembly full of games and crafts.

Students were pre-selected to participate in an assortment of games from gingerbread houses to a competitive candy-cane relay to an even more competitive Saran Wrap ball.

Students even had the opportunity to decorate a teacher.

The winners of each game got a light-up necklace and some candy.

Winners included Jocelyn Ford, Thomas Bennett, Brayden Taylor, Andrew Spillman and Keller Beachy.

Photos courtesy of Christy Hoel.

Olivia Wallace Fine Arts presented Charles Dickens' A Christmas Carol as a winter performance.

Directed and adapted by Chris Guyotte, Uni's theater teacher, the show told the classic story with singing from Uni's Madrigals and other work composed by Ellix Simons.

Also, original songs written by Amelie Dall'erba and Brooke Hong were included in the story.

Pictured: Callie Standerfer as Ebenezer Scrooge as tormenters (left to right) Maewyn Trujillo, Lana Cooper, and Ale Chaves Carvajal from the underworld surround her; Gabby Mongwa as Marley; and Leyla Cohen as the Ghost of Christmas Present.

Ivy Pullen-Heuman The halls were filled with Christmas spirit as the Teen Titans spread holiday cheer by selling candy canes, Hershey's Kisses with Christmas lyrics and singing candy grams.

On Friday, the teachers wore their ugliest sweaters, which they showcased at the staff breakfast.

The top three most festive teachers, left to right, were: 2) Dave Fink; 1) Taylor Marcel; and 3) Kimberly Krukewitt.

Avery Watson The jazz band played holiday tunes to get everyone in the Christmas spirit during class.

These holiday classics could be heard through the school walls for everyone to hear and enjoy.

Danyla Nash The Hugs and Mugs coffee cart group was gifted a slushie machine.

The machine is not only being used to make money for the coffee cart but to support other groups as well.

Organizations throughout the school are allowed to use the machine to earn money toward their group.

On Dec.

11, blue raspberry slushies and chocolate frostys were for sale during lunch.

Students and staff were ecstatic about the new treats.

Photo courtesy Kim Jones.

Kirstyn Jones In the season of giving, student council spent last Friday helping every grade-schooler purchase gifts for family members.

For the kids who were unable to bring money, student council gifted them $5 to use.

Maya Machev On Dec.

10, student council held its annual senior citizen dinner, where adults were served food and dessert and given gifts.

The dinner was successful, as the students were happy to honor seniors in Westville.

Pictured: Abigal Acord hands George Shadden his raffle prize.

#Loveourseniors.

Olivia Troglia.

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