I can’t wait! Summer time is almost here. It is a time to spend time with your friends and make memories. It is going to be a hot summer, so swimming might be on everyone’s schedule. Besides swimming, there is many things I know I am going to do. I am going to be skateboarding, hanging out with friends, and possibly going to six flags. If you can’t think of anything to do during summer, you can use some of these ideas; play basketball, play football, spend time with family, apply for a job, go on bike rides, and just sit back and relax. Those are some of the things I am going to be doing this summer. What are you going to do? Keep reading the Towncrier for more updates.
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On May 16th, 2015 the seniors finally graduated high school. It was a bittersweet moment watching all the seniors say their last goodbyes. Although it was a little sweaty in the gym, it was still a success. The speeches this year were short and sweet. Madison Schneider, Ryan Klute, and Adrianna Summers-Reyonlds gave speeches. The students that received scholarships at the ceremony were Tiffanie Miller, Cody Schindler, Madison Schneider, and Adrianne Summers-Reynolds. Overall, it was a great time. We’ll never forget the big loud boom from the speakers when Mr. Stoner announced Kirstan Bennett to the stage. Congrats to the class of 2015! We all wish the best of luck to them.
As we all know May 12, was the seniors last official day of school. I’m sure we all have mixed emotions about this day, but it’s finally over! Although we will all be back within the week to either, take our final or to show up for graduation practice.
But before we are completely finished with this school we still have a couple activities to accomplish together. As in finals, graduation practice, our class trip, then finally graduation. Finals should be completed on the 13, but if not we are welcome to finish up after graduation practice. That will be held on the 14 at 10 o’clock in the gym. It is mandatory, and we will not walk if we don’t attend. Our class trip will be on Friday, the day before graduation. We will be leaving at 6:30 A.M. and not a minute after. We all will enjoy lunch at the park and will stop for dinner on the way home. The following morning will be graduation! Graduation starts at 1 o’clock and will be located in the gym. All seniors must be at the school an hour early for pictures. We will all be sure to get plenty of them. Also, during the ceremony we will be announcing the scholarship winners, congratulations to all of you! The ending here certainly came very quickly, and I hope we are all thankful for our time here at Peoria Heights High School. Congratulations to Freshman Brianna Varvil who was selected student of the month for April. Brianna is the daughter of Cindy and Tim Varvil. She is the youngest of three; her siblings are Taletha Jouzdani and Josh Varvil. Brianna has always attended Heights schools.
Brianna’s favorite classes are art, English, and band. An excellent student, Brianna is in the Top Ten as a freshman. An active member of PHHS, Brianna is involved in Key Club, Scholastic Bowl, WYSE, Band, and had a lead in this year’s all school play. She performed at ILMEA (Illinois Music Educators Association) and placed 3rd in English at the WYSE competition, which qualified her for State competition. As part of the larger Peoria Heights community, Brianna participated in Historical 1855 re- enactments at W.H. Sommer Park. She has played Taps at Springdale Cemetery for Memorial Day and for Veterans’ Day. She has also been a member of the Girl Scouts. Her teachers had great things to say about her. “Brianna is an awesome student who is always prepared for class by having her music well prepared, and attends all of the many performances and extra rehearsals that are required as part of band class. In addition to participating in the District 2 ILMEA Band Festival at Augustana College, Brianna also participated in the Bradley University Frosh-Soph Honor Band Festival in November 2014.” “Brianna is kind, courteous, and helpful to everyone she meets, which makes her well respected by her peers and teachers. In addition to playing the trumpet, Brianna is an awesome artist, as I have seen many of her sketches.” “Briana is an excellent Key Club volunteer! She is a freshman member that I can count on to volunteer at any event possible. I look forward to having her in Key Club the next three years.” “Brianna is a leader in the classroom and in MOJO. Although quiet, she stands up for what she believes.” “I think Brianna's a really good choice! I wish I had thought of her. She is always willing to do anything I ask of her, always participates in class, and never has any problems working with anyone in a group. I love having her in class!” Brianna’s future plans include attending a four-year university and then U of I for veterinary medicine. We know that whatever she chooses, she will do well!! Seniors, we made it! That much-anticipated day is finally within reach. The Class of 2015 will be graduating Saturday, May 16th in the high school gym. It is a time of both happiness and sadness as we all leave behind a ton of great memories and move forward to the next chapter of our lives. Some of us will be going off to college or trade school; some will be starting careers; and some are still undecided. Whatever paths we take, high school will always be a time we will remember. Some of us are undoubtedly ready for it to be over and to move on, but for many, it will be very difficult.
The class trip will be Friday, May 15th. The class trip is the last of the many experiences we have all shared together before we graduate, so be sure to enjoy the day in Six Flags! With only a week or so of school left, senioritis has definitely kicked in. Everyone, including myself, just wants to graduate and get out of here already. We want to start our futures! Be free! Get out of stifling classrooms already!
But, really, the last few weeks of school have to be the hardest when it comes to being focused on schoolwork, that’s for sure. Luckily, seniors have a couple of fun events coming up: awards night, the class trip to six flags, and graduation are all just a few things to look forward to. So, don’t give up now, seniors! Continue working hard in all of your classes; it’ll definitely be worth it come graduation day. Last week, our school had a lockdown drill. Did you take it seriously? What would you do in a real lockdown situation? Our teachers and school faculty members are very passionate about school safety, and you should be too.
I talked to Mr. Youngren about the lockdown drill, and he is aware of the growing trend in school violence. “In the last 30 years, there have been over 130 school attack incidents in the United States. Both staff members and students should approach these procedures with the same actions and protocol as if it were the real thing.” I also sat down with our principal Mr. Stoner to discuss school safety. He is a firm believer that practice truly does make perfect. “The importance of a lockdown, or any drill you do, is to improve on your actions. Our building is so unique; it is important to practice because you could very easily be in an open area.” I also asked him if he has learned anything from previous lockdown drills. “We have added teacher-appointed positions, which we learned to do from previous practice.” He also said to remember all the physical steps the school has taken to make the building safer. “With the new front entrance, it is much harder to enter the building.” Lastly, I discussed school safety with Officer Vaughn from the Peoria Heights Police Department. He also agrees that a lockdown drill is about practice. The more you practice, the better you do. Officer Vaughn reminds us that we as students have a couple of jobs to do. “It is important to know where to go, and to locate the exits around you.” I also asked how the department would respond in case of an actual lockdown. “The average response time is 2-5 minutes. Once we arrive, we would park our cars in a tactical manner, and if there was a live threat we would enter the building.” The interview with Officer Vaughn is available online. Check it out by visiting the school’s website! This year’s prom was a smash! Although there was slow songs after slow songs, a lot of people enjoyed it. The dinner, which was chicken, green beans, baked potatoes, and rolls, was delicious. The prom king and queen ended up being Cole Reilly and Madilyn Tortat! Followed by court members: Seth Boyer and Kendall Bennett, Kensey Schol and Quinn Miller, Gabby Williams and Alex Wilts, Kirstan Bennett and Brayten Hess, Cody Schindler and Madison Schneider, Shannon Son and Rafael Menchaca, Nathan Anderson and Tiffanie Miller. Shout out to Mrs. Vogel and the junior class for making prom possible. The Prom 2015 Court 2015 Proim King & Queen, Madilyn Tortat and Cole Reilly
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