The Chief Online November 2011

By Jessica Ping On Wednesday, November 2, PTHS was privileged to have Hannah Smith, who recently was crowned Miss Illinois, come and talk to us about distracted driving. Considering the recent tragic event in our community, it was good for us to listen to what she had to say and for us take extra precautionary measures to ensure our personal safety. After being introduced by Rep. Jason Barickman, Miss Illinois took the stage. “Just because I‟m wearing a sparkly crown and sash does not make me super-human!” Miss Illinois stated this in her presentation. From there she went on to say how she was a graduate from McHenry County College in 2009. Her reason for being so passionate about distracted driving is because she personally knows people who have died because of being distracted while behind the wheel of a car. She also has met with many victims‟ families and

has a father who is a firefighter and who has always taught her to live cautiously. She encourages everyone to take the Focus Pledge (For Our Communities Ultimate Safety). By signing the pledge, you are agreeing to not text and drive. Miss Illinois really showed me, as I‟m sure she did many people, that driving is nothing to take for granted. Driving is clearly a privilege and enjoyable, but it can also be very dangerous. See the presentation HERE and read more about the

Miss Illinois Scholarship HERE.

Miss Illinois Visits PTHS

Caption describing picture or graphic.

Inside this Issue:

Inside this issue:

About

Hannah Smith:

Hometown: Huntley, IL

Former “Miss Windy City”

2009 graduate of McHenry County College

Will represent

Illinois at the 2012 Miss America Pageant in Las Vegas.

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Exchange

Student

2

Ms. Stady 3

Behind the

Scenes: SIP Day

3

Upperclass Acts 4

Student Survey 5

Movie Review 6

Ask Smitty! 7

Scholarship Info 8

P O N T I A C T O W N S H I P H I G H S C H O O L

Foreign Exchange Student:

Jan Łopatyński

By Mark Panno On a yearly basis, Pontiac Township High School is fortunate to have a foreign exchange student. The 2011-2012 school year brings a young man from Poland: Jan Łopatyński. Jan comes from Lublin, Poland, which is two hours from Warsaw and has a population of 400,000. Jan leaves behind a mother and father, as well as a sister and half sister, in Poland during his time in America. Jan says the greatest part about Poland is the social life, solidarity of people, and good food. Jan likes America because it has diversity of beaches, snow skiing mountains, and the opportunity to have a big career all in the same country. After his year at PTHS, Jan plans on taking the ACT and hopes to earn a high enough score to be accepted into universities in Poland. After the university, Jan wants to become a lawyer. Personally, I have the privilege of being friends with Jan and I was on the golf team with him. Jan is a nice friend and is someone who is always happy with what he is doing, whether it be hitting range balls, meeting new people, or hanging out with friends. So if you have not introduced yourself to Jan, go ahead and do so. You will be happy you did and also be happy he is spending time in America.

Student Council Workshop By Chloe Boden Student Council members recently attended the annual Fall Workshop hosted by Herscher High School. The workshop was held in Kankakee and featured speaker Ted Wiese. The day began with a speech from a member of the American Cancer Association encouraging schools to participate in “Relay for Life.” After he was done speaking, the icebreaker activity began. For our icebreaker this year we played the “moo game”, a silly game that got everyone more comfortable with each other. We soon split up into our small groups of about ten members each, with students from a variety of different schools. We were told that these would be our “teams” for the day, so everyone played some name games in order to get to know each other better. We then played some team-building games such as a form of family feud in which it was important to listen to your team members and who could build the highest tower out of one hundred notecards, in which it was important to trust your teammates not to knock the tower over. The workshop wrapped up with a final word from Ted where he reminded us that we can do things that we may not think we can do at first. He also taught us that a positive attitude is an important key to achieving goals. Positive attitudes are something we hoped to bring back to PTHS. A challenge he gave us was when asked “How are you?” instead of responding with “Fine,” it is okay to say “Great!”. All in all, we learned a lot at the student council workshop, and as always it was a very good time.

Disaster Drill!

By Courtney Alverson

The activity that I participated in at Caterpillar was called "The Disaster Drill.” This drill was specifically designed to show future EMT students how it feels to be the victim instead of the responder. Honestly, being on the other side makes a huge difference. When preparing for the drill we all had to change into scrub uniforms because we were using special effect make-up. We actually had wounds that were realistic. This "Disaster Drill" was a very good learning opportunity!

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New Teacher Report: Miss Stady By Michaela Dohleman For most people math is not their favorite subject, but for Miss Stady it is. The new teacher in the Math Department has always loved math and has wanted to be a teacher since she was in the eighth grade. After receiving her degree at the University of Illinois, she came to Pontiac. She was attracted to PTHS by the technology in which our school has to offer. Miss Stady also enjoys the small town feel. The students and other faculty members are other aspects of her job which she considers a “perk.” They have offered a nice welcome and have created a great start to her PTHS teaching career. We would like to welcome you to PTHS, Miss Stady, and wish you the best of luck in your future years here!

Behind the Scenes:

School Improvement Day

By Charles Spencer If you think that School Improvement days are just days that you get out of school at 11:50 and nothing more, think again! While you are at home enjoying your time off or at work picking up extra hours, the faculty and staff of PTHS is busy making this school more academically successful. The main goal in mind for every School Improvement day is to carry out the mission statement: “We are committed to the development of our students as adaptive learners, global thinkers, and responsible citizens through collaboration across our school community.” Friday, November 4

th, was the most

recent improvement date. The day consisted of department meetings where all the teachers from each department met and discussed items such as Netbooks, recent test scores, teaching methods, and parent communication. The School Improvement days occur once every month to review what was discussed last month and to bring in new topics of discussion. So remember that on December 9

th, your teachers are hard

at work to bring students a successful academic experience.

PTHS Music Department

Update

By Taylor Araujo Concert Band is just around the corner! With the Marching Indian's season coming to a close, a new and exciting chapter of music is starting for these musicians. For those of you who do not know, the band is split up into two seasons. The first is Marching Band season when the students work long and hard to prepare for football games and competitions, and the second season is when the students break into two bands: Symphonic and Concert Band. Here they learn musical pieces to perform at concerts during the cold weather. Jazz Band is also a fun option for students wanting to get a little extra music practice. Some favor marching more than concerts, and others vice-versa. As a band member I feel they are both equally great in the fact that they each teach you new techniques about how to be a better musician! Keep reading The Chief for more about the band!

Click HERE for the

Music Department’s website.

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NAME: Tiffany Patterson NICKNAMES: Tiff ROLE MODEL: Lady Gaga!

Upperclass Acts

ACTIVITIES @ PTHS: Color Guard and Dance Team FONDEST MEMORY OF HIGH SCHOOL SO FAR: Going to State for Dance team MAJOR AREAS OF INTEREST: Music and movies PLANS AFTER HIGH SCHOOL: Go to college to major in Psychology FAVORITE MOVIE: Jennifer’s Body MOST INSPIRATIONAL SONG: “Just Dance” by Lady Gaga FAVORITE CLASS: Foods II FAVORITE BOOK: Alice

MOST POSITIVE MOMENT: Performing at U of I for Color Guard PET PEEVES: Worrying about everyone‟s problems besides self. WHAT MY FRIENDS WILL REMEMBER ABOUT ME: My outgoing personality HOW WOULD YOU SPEND $1,000,000?: Buy a nice car, vacation, put the rest up IF YOU WERE STRANDED ON A DESERT ISLAND, WHAT 3 ITEMS WOULD YOU WANT WITH YOU? iPod, phone, friend LAST WORDS OF ADVICE: “Don‟t just sit back and not get involved. High School is much more fun (and goes by faster) when you are participating.”

NAME: Chris Boston NICKNAMES: Boston, CB, Cowboy Killer ROLE MODEL: My dad ACTIVITIES @ PTHS: Ford AAA contest FONDEST MEMORY OF HIGH SCHOOL SO FAR: Mr. Prong‟s class 3 MAJOR AREAS OF INTEREST: Diesel, Automotives, Agriculture PLANS AFTER HIGH SCHOOL: Move to TN and go to NADC FAVORITE MOVIE: Paul MOST INSPIRATIONAL SONG: “I Believe I can Fly” by R. Kelly

FAVORITE TEACHER/CLASS: Mr. Prong/Autos FAVORITE BOOK: Justin Case MOST POSITIVE MOMENT: Chicago Autos Show PET PEEVES: Bad drivers WHAT MY FRIENDS WILL REMEMBER ABOUT ME: Stupid stunts and funny faces HOW WOULD YOU SPEND $1,000,000? Start a diesel shop IF YOU WERE STRANDED ON A DESERT ISLAND, WHAT 3 ITEMS WOULD YOU WANT WITH YOU? A boat, food, a gun

LAST WORDS OF ADVICE: “Don‟t get in the way, but make a big impression on people. Mostly have fun.”

Student Survey:

“I Am Thankful For…”

… Glow-in-the-dark Silly Putty – Heather Warren … my family – Madalyn Orvis … pudding – Levi Brooks … that I woke up to a new day – Mike Potts … Wendy‟s – Nick Stephens … having great friends – Ellie Snow …the Marines – Garitt Christianson … mashed potatoes – Drew Baker … my cat – Jackie Lee … good health – Kelly Ruther … Chef Boyardee – Dylan Johnson … loved ones – Courtney Alverson … meatloaf – Jared Beal … that I am a senior – Abby Campbell … Chuck Hodges – Kohl Gregory … Sparknotes – Molly Elliot … Thanksgiving Break – Emily Lauth

Literary Society By Cassidy Murphy The Literary Society is a book club at the high school. Run by Mrs. Witte, the book club was formed to “promote reading and creative writing.” This year will be the club‟s 18

th year at our school. The Literary Society has many

activities coming up over the next few months. November 14-18

th is teen read week. During this time,

the club will be selling bookmarks and hosting daily guessing games. The winner of these games will be put in a drawing to win a prize! In December, they will be having a Christmas party where they make their own pizzas and play games. Also in December they will be having a used book sale. People may bring in unwanted books to sell. The spring will bring a poetry party where they sponsor a short story contest and there will be monetary prizes. The clubs officers are: Jonathon Quelhorst as President, Colin Tindle as Vice-President, and Brandon Duck as Treasurer. The Literary Society reads a wide variety of books and is always looking for new members!

Studying to End World Hunger By Caila Smith Want to study vocabulary, chemistry, and more while helping to feed malnourished kids? Probably not the number one thing you want to do, or even thought of doing, but let me be the first to tell you that it is possible! There are thousands of kids our age suffering from starvation and malnourishment around the world, and you can help by simply clicking a button. Go to freerice.com, create an account, and search for the group “Pontiac Township High School.” Then, answer some questions and feed some kids! If you don‟t have time or don‟t want to create an account, you can still play without one. You can choose from several different subjects from language learning, chemistry symbols, basic vocabulary words, and prefixes. For every question you get right, the website donates ten grains of rice through the World Food Program to help end world hunger. Ten grains of rice might not seem like a lot, but they really add up! This is something that you can do from your own computer to help students and children like you thousands of miles away. Get involved and do your part!

By Adam Shelton Considerably the most mobile quarterback in NFL history, Michael Vick has been on the receiving end of a lot of hate. His career has made a remarkable story for the record books. In college, he became the first player in Division I history to win Player of the

Sports Haterholics: Mike Vick Edition

Year Award and Rookie of the Year in the same season. Hey Chicago fans, think about this: Michael Vick had more rushing touchdowns than Matt Forte and more passing touchdowns than Jay Cutler last season. He ranks second among quarterbacks in career

rushing yards. Vick has also been selected to play in 3 pro bowls. So, next time you want to hate on Mike Vick, think about how his QB rating would compare to your favorite quarterback.

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Book Review: Fateful by Claudia Gray

By Dena Boatman

“„You‟ll be dead before you go ten steps without me.‟ His hand is warm as it clasps my arm - more than warm, hot. As if he burned with fever. I can hear our pursuers coming closer. „Stay by my side and walk faster. And for the love of God, don‟t look back.‟ The steps behind us change. No longer do they sound like footsteps. Instead they‟re softer- they click upon the cobblestones- As I‟m unable to wrest myself free from my captor, I defy him by looking back. And there I see the wolf.” ~Excerpt from Fateful. Tess Davies is an eighteen-year-old servant for the Lisle‟s, a rich English family. The year is 1912, and they are about to go to America on the RMS Titanic. The day before boarding, she gets saved from a wolf by a mysterious stranger, Alec. The next day, while taking a box of the family‟s most valuable possessions, she gets cornered by a man named Mikhail. Again, Alec saves her. She keeps meeting Alec and Mikhail at random times on the Titanic. On evening, when the moon is rising, Mikhail locks her and Alec in a steam room together. When the moon rises, Alec transforms into a big, red wolf. He doesn‟t attack her, however. He stands by the door all night. She soon realizes that the reason she always sees the two men fighting is because Alec is wanted by Brotherhood, an organization of werewolves. Will Tess be able to save Alec? This book is not an average Titanic romance story. The werewolf point proves that. It is full of twists and turns that will leave the reader surprised and wondering what will happen next. It has many different genres, including romance, fantasy, and history, just to name a few. It captures the reader from the very first page. The book is very good and I would recommend it to anybody!

See the author‟s

official website at:

claudiagray.com

Courtesy of Universal Pictures

Click HERE

to se the official movie website

Movie Review: Tower Heist By Vince Murphy Tower Heist is a movie which rolls out a Robin Hood-like story. It‟s a tale of a man who tries to right a wrong with a wrong and gives us a handful of laughs along the way. Ben Stiller plays Josh Kovacs, a working class manager of a luxury apartment complex in New York City. Josh has what he thinks is a great relationship with his boss Arthur Shaw. Shaw (Alan Alda) is an extremely wealthy and successful businessman who starts out as a seemingly trustworthy investor. Soon, however, he is arrested by the FBI for fraud. Kovacs finds out that Shaw is crooked and even worse his investments with Shaw are worth nothing (sound familiar?). Not only are Shaw‟s investments no good, but the entire staff‟s retirement is gone. Just when it looks like things are bad they get worse when the near-retirement doorman (Stephen Henderson) attempts suicide because he‟s lost all his money in Shaw‟s Ponzi scheme. At this point, Josh can‟t take anymore and confronts Shaw in his suite. He demands to know what has happened to Lester‟s money. When he doesn‟t get the answer he‟s looking for, he breaks the windows of Shaw‟s car and is fired from his job at the apartment complex. Being down and out, Josh goes out for a drink and meets the FBI officer who arrested Shaw, Claire Denham (Téa Leoni) who mentions an idea that hits home: maybe he and the staff should “storm the castle” and take back what was theirs? Being a novice at the art of stealing, Josh bails out his old neighbor, Slide (Eddie Murphy). They get a posse together (a few members of the staff) to help him in his mission. The rest of the movie is Slide attempting to teach them how to perform a robbery. The movie is worth seeing, good for some laughs, and is surprisingly on target with current headlines.

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Student Poetry

“Untitled”

By Hilary Hoegger Tree dancing in the wind,

the sun is bright, the day is as cold as ice,

the snow is light. People go to work, kids go the school, the sun shines, snow shines like a jewel. Stay warm inside, sit by the fire, drink hot chocolate, my only desire.

Hello Heartbroken, First things first, get yourself a box of tissues, The Notebook, and get ready for a night with the only two men you need in your life: Ben and Jerry. Sorry boys, this advice is for the girls. We‟ve all been there - crying in your room, laughing obnoxiously to make the boy think you‟re okay, trying to change everything about yourself to be like whoever else he‟s interested in. And you‟re right, it IS only high school, and unfortunately there will be other boys to break your heart, but I understand that right now this is difficult. You need to stay busy and surround yourself

Dear Smitty, Okay, so…my boyfriend dumped me, and of course there was another girl. My heart is broken and I just feel so alone and helpless. I know other people go through this sort of stuff all the time and it‟s not the end of the world, but it‟s the end of MINE! He gave me the old "let's just be friends" line. Which is aka: "I‟m scared to actually have feelings for a girl because I‟m a baby." I just want to get over this right now, but it‟s just so hard! #HATEMYLIFE. Sincerely, Heartbroken

with good people. It will take a while, but trust me, you will get over him. No boy, or any person, is worth ruining your day over. So plaster that pretty smile on, even if it‟s fake, because nothing beats killing someone with kindness. But let me stress, don‟t go through all this hurt just to take him back. If he was that stupid to let you go, you should be smart enough to walk away. Best of luck! #boyswillbeboys Love, Smitty Have a question for Smitty?

Send it here!

Ask Smitty

FFA Update By Jordan Johns “I Believe” was the theme for the 84

th National FFA Convention held in

Indianapolis, Indiana. Mr. Bane, Mr. Faber, Mrs. Harrison (former Olympia High School agriculture teacher), and thirty-one Pontiac FFA members headed out to convention October 18-22. For four days, we interacted with professors and employers of agricultural universities and companies, attended sessions lead by the National FFA Officer Team and motivational speakers, sat in on career development events including Public Speaking, Livestock Judging, Ag Communications, and Parliamentary Procedure, and we visited with FFA chapters from Florida and Minnesota. From major TV networks and John Deere, to self-employed horticulturists, the career show with 1,300 exhibits displayed how prominent agriculture is in the job world. Pontiac FFA‟s thirty-one representatives saw what it takes to make it to the national competitions, and our goals are now set for next year! We met with officers of the Deland, Florida FFA Chapter while go-carting, and the students from Howard Lake-Waverly-Winsted Minnesota Chapter at Dave and Busters. New friends were made and variations of yearly activities were discussed. The 55,000 FFA members present at the convention heard Tiffany Rogers‟ retiring national officer address, along with keynote speakers, Dave Roever and Vernice Armour. The main ideas of their messages related to this year‟s “I Believe” theme, with focus points on “everything happens for a reason”, and “you make an imprint in the life of everyone you meet”. Pontiac grad Jake Ralph was one of the 306 recipients to walk across the stage to accept his American Degree, the highest degree given by the National FFA Organization. Our next chapter meeting is November 10 at 6:30PM, in the Ag Shop. A presentation on the American flag will be given by local veterans, and we will conclude with our traditional Thanksgiving potluck.

Read Archived

Issues of The Chief Online

HERE

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Saunemin Teachers Set Up $2,000,000 Scholarship Fund

Sisters Nina (left)

and Patricia (right)

Cheseboro

College bound students in Livingston County are being given another opportunity to receive financial help in obtaining a college degree. The Fund, which exceeds $2,000,000, is expected to award annual scholarships of nearly $100,000. The newly established Chesebro/Cushman/Kyser Scholarship Fund is open to any student who is a graduate of any Livingston County High School or who will graduate this spring. Special priority will be given to those students who have resided in the area formerly served by the Saunemin Unit School District. Priority will also be given to full-time college students.

The major donors of the scholarships are Nina and Patricia Chesebro, both well-known educators in the Saunemin area, their friend Helen Cushman, and the Chesebro sisters' aunt Ruth Kyser.

Nina Chesebro received her bachelor's degree from Illinois State Normal University and her Master's from the University of Illinois. She taught first in a one room school near Saunemin for 2 ½ years and then 6 ½ years at Saunemin Grade School. Later she taught for 31 more years in Springfield schools. She belonged to many educational associations. Nina Chesebro passed away last November at the age of 95.

Patricia Chesebro was a widely known educator in this part of the state. She taught English and music in Saunemin High School for 13 years. She also served as Saunemin High School Principal from 1958 to 1961. She then returned to school and earned her Doctorate in Educational Psychology at the University of Illinois. Soon after that she was named Assistant Dean of Women at Illinois State University and taught there until her retirement in 1987. She received many honors during her lifetime including being named 1975 Woman of the Year of the National Professional Pan-Hellenic Association. She, her sister Nina, and Miss Cushman were all avid golfers and competed in many tournaments.

The sisters' dedication and passion for education have led to this outstanding opportunity for the college-bound students from Livingston County.

Applications and information are available at all Livingston County High Schools, Saunemin Grade School, and both branches of the State Bank of Saunemin. Scholarship applications are due March 1 of each year for the coming academic year. Trustees of the scholarship fund are Cathy Lannon, Carol Rich, Chuck and Dianne Hanley, Virginia Spafford, Cheryl O'Donnell, Taylor Johnson, and Dennis Stephens. More information about the Chesebro/Cushman/Kyser Scholarships can be obtained at 815-844-7151 or from any trustee.

The Chief Staff is:

Mark Panno, Co-Editor-in-Chief Caila Smith, Co-Editor-in-Chief

Taylor Araujo Dena Boatman Chloe Boden

Michaela Dohleman Haleigh Gill

Jordan Johns Cassidy Murphy Vincent Murphy

Jessica Ping Adam Shelton

Charles Spencer Mr. Soares, Faculty Sponsor

___________________________

Seniors!

Download an Upperclass Acts Form

HERE

Return to Mr. Soares in room 136 or email

HERE

___________________________________

Look for the print version of

The Chief in The Pontiac Daily Leader

_______________________________

Happy Thanksgiving

from The Chief!

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Students in Action

The students of Mrs. Jones‟ Speech class spoke to PTHS and veterans this month about the proper way to dispose of an old and damaged US flag.

Deviance Day 2011

Several students from Mr. Bozarth’s Sociology class participated in Deviance Day. Students were instructed to be “deviant” by

challenging norms about the way we dress.

Featured to the left are Adam Green and Brooke Mills.

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