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Published by Sauk Valley Media November, 2016

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A Guide to Achievements in our Local High Schools

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To our readers ...

W

elcome to the latest edition of Pride.

Within the pages of this edition, you will learn about achievements at our local high schools, whether in academics, sports or extracurricular activities.

All of the content for Pride was submitted by the schools. We extend a special thank you to all of the schools and advertisers for their participation in this publication. Pride would not have been possible without them.

We hope you enjoy this issue of Pride.

Publisher Sam R Fisher Advertising Director Jennifer Heintzelman Advertising Sales Jill Reyna

Inside Amboy High School........................... 3-4

Morrison High School..................... 21-23

Ashton-Franklin Center High School.........5

Newman Central Catholic High School.24-25

Byron High School................................6

Oregon High School...................... 26-27

Chadwick-Milledgeville District 399.......8-9

Polo High School........................... 28-29

Dixon High School......................... 10-12

Prophetstown High School....................31

Eastland High School..................... 13-15

Rochelle Township High School............35

Faith Christian School..........................16

Rock Falls Township High School..... 32-34

Forreston High School.........................17

Sterling High School....................... 35-37

Fulton High School......................... 18-19

Unity Christian High School..................38

Pride is a specialty publication of Sauk Valley Media of Dixon and Sterling. Articles and advertisements are the property of Sauk Valley Media. No portion of Pride should be reproduced without written consent of the publisher. Ad content is not the responsibility of Sauk Valley Media. Sauk Valley Media cannot and will not be held liable for the quality or performance of goods and services provided by advertisers listed in any portion of this publication.

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AMBOY HIGH SCHOOL HOME OF THE CLIPPERS

“Excellence, Every day” Merriam-Webster defines “pride”, in this context, as a feeling of happiness you get when someone you know does something good or difficult. At Amboy High School everyone strives to uphold the ideal of “Excellence, Every day” by providing rich academic and extracurricular opportunities to our students, pride is everywhere. Personally, I’m filled with pride when I see students reach out and take that risk; stretching beyond their expectations to achieve that difficult goal.

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With the successful deployment of Chromebooks this August the Amboy district has achieved a long term goal of providing each student with a computer. This would not have been possible without the generous donations that we received. One-to-one provides previously unattainable opportunities and eliminates the need for teachers to fight over a chromebook cart.

Teachers are recording and posting videos of themselves online so that students never miss instruction even when they are absent.

Students utilizing their Chromebooks in Mrs. Sondgeroth’s

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AMBOY HIGH SCHOOL | HOME OF THE CLIPPERS continued from page 3 The STEM class, with its second year behind it, where students constructed a functional cross bow and a skittles launcher, researched the chemical composition and effects of various hair products, and launched a weather balloon up into the sky. Unfortunately the weather balloon experiment was unretrievable since we lack scuba gear and lost the GPS tracker when the balloon landed in Lake Michigan. This year we have another group of budding scientists, engineers, and tinkers working under Mr. Browne’s guidance and I look forward to seeing what they make.

Our freshmen transition program Clippers, Set Sail! is entering its fifth year and continues keeping freshmen on track as demonstrated by the fact that 100% of last years freshmen class earned sophomore status. The graduating class of 2016 was the first cohort of Clippers, Set Sail! Freshmen to graduate and I am very happy to say that they all graduated. The Clippers, Set Sail!

Team, this semester, took students on a tour of MIT in Morrison, Rock Valley College in Rockford and in the Spring they will take a tour of NIU in DeKalb.

IHSA Regional in school history and after a strong performance at the sectional will be heading, as a team, to the state race at Detwiler Park.

Arts

Amboy continues our strong commitment to the arts and it shows in everything from last Spring’s “Sound of Music” musical, to sending four students to perform at the IMEA District 8 Honors Music Festival at DeKalb High School, to this year’s Fall play Shakespeare’s “A Midsummer Night’s Dream”. A special honor goes out to Demi Becker who played first chair at the IMEA all state band and Ashely Saccamando who earned a spot in the IMEA honors Choir.

The Girls Cross Country team after their regional victory

FFA

Amboy’s rich agricultural tradition continues to help Amboy’s excellent FFA program become even better.

This year we have three section officers Grace Klein, Hannah Grady and Allison Hicks. Amboy Alumni Zach Becker is serving as this year’s State FFA Reporter.

Freshmen students going to Central to read with students during a day of community service

Student Council

The Amboy STUCO has swelled its tanks and now has thirty members under the leadership of current president, and last year’s Illinois State Reporter, Brandon Albrecht. This group of dedicated students has revamped our Freshmen Orientation Night and continues to work diligently helping others and promoting leadership and student involvement at Amboy High School.

Athletics

Amboy athletes continue the strong tradition both on and off the field, course, court or sideline. The Amboy LaMoille Cross Country team won their first

FFA President Zach Becker leads a leadership seminar at Amboy High School

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The Sound of Music Cast from the spring musical)

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ASHTON-FRANKLIN CENTER | HOME OF THE RAIDERS

Teacher of the Year

Mr. Rick Petitt, Ag teacher and FFA adviser for the AFC School District, recently received the Illinois Association of Vocational Ag Teachers (IAVAT) Excellence in Teaching Teacher of the Year Award. Mr. Petitt is very well-respected and held in very high regard by his colleagues and students.

To win the Illinois Association of Vocational Ag Teachers (IAVAT) Excellence in Teaching award award, ag teachers must go through a long process. The first step is to be nominated by someone locally; any one of the 360 ag teachers across the state is eligible to be nominated. All of those nominees are narrowed down in the first round; a winner is selected in each one of the 25 sections across the state. In the next round, the winner competes against the other four section representatives in their district to be become the district winner.

The winners of each of the five districts then compete at the state level.

At the state level, the teacher of the year nominees must present paperwork from their principals as to how they meet the criteria.

They must also present five letters of support from community members and then be present with their principal at the IAVAT State Convention for interviews with the Excellence in Teaching Committee. The criterion the committee explores is a teacher’s strength and strategies, use of technology, innovative ideas/ activities the teacher utilizes and promotion of SAE’s (supervised ag experience.) The winners at the section and district levels are recognized at the final luncheon of the IAVAT state conference, and the state winner is then announced at that luncheon.

Petitt, who taught in the Franklin Center School District before AFC, has been a positive influence on the lives of many of the students he has taught for over 30 years.

Throughout his tenure, students have been selected to be section

and state officers. Numerous students have received their state degree as well as gone on to receive their American Farmer degree. The AFC FFA is the current section winner in the areas of Heritage and Co-Op as well as the Program of Activities.

They will also be recognized at the national level for being the 3 Star Gold and national finalist in the area of Program of Activities. The AFC FFA has earned this award for the past 12 years and the Franklin Center FFA did several years prior to that.

Former student, Josh Lahman, shared these thoughts.

“Mr. Petitt was more than a teacher to me throughout my school years at AFC. He was an amazing teacher, but more importantly, a great mentor and role model. He taught me that school is more than just academics and Pictured are Petitt and Melissa Rhodes, representative from sports. He taught me about life sponsoring organization Illinois Farm Bureau. Mr. Petitt will be and the values I needed to be a recognized and receive his plaque at Ag Day at the Illinois State Fair. great person to succeed in the real world. He inspired me to be ries of Mr. Petitt. of him and me next to it. He active, to open up, and do things “I could write a book about was very influential. He taught that I wouldn’t have done on my him. I first met him when I was me good manners and respect own. junior high ag classes. Mr. Petitt for all people. He would always One major impact Mr. Petitt had would call you out if you weren’t tell us that ‘you have to receive on me directly was he inspired focused. He picked on me a lot what you get, you can teach but and encouraged me to attend a back then. During my sophomore if students don’t accept it and leadership conference in Washyear, he took me into a small receive it, it won’t matter.’ He is ington D.C. I attended this classroom and spent time really a great person a great human beconference while in high school getting to know me. I came from ing and like a father to me. When and it changed my life forever. a dysfunctional family and had he retires there will be some big I learned so much from this never thought that I would be shoes to fill.” trip, gained memories that I will college bound. He told me that “Mr. Petitt is a very humble and never forget, and friendships with he would pay for me to go to modest man who does not “toot people all across the U.S. that I college and I just started crying. his own horn” so no one really will never lose.

He had planted the seed that I knows all that he has done for the Mr. Petitt is one of the most was college material. He then students of AFC,” said AFC Prinunselfish and most respectful encouraged me to figure out what cipal Tammy Harvey. “When men I know. He will always put I wanted to do and then to find a attending the IAVAT conference everyone before himself and aim college that offered that curricuand other FFA activities, it is to make everyone he encounters lum. I attended Millikin Univerapparent the respect and admirain life happy and put a smile on sity with grants and scholarships tion others in the field have for their faces. That is exactly what and a few student loans. Mr. Mr. Petitt. They talk about how he did/does for me and I will Petitt bought me a car to travel much they have learned from him forever have a smile on my face back and forth to college with. and how lucky AFC is to have knowing that I had one of the He would come to my football him. While Mr. Petitt is strong greatest teachers there is and now games and kept in touch with in the classroom and knowledgea person that I consider to be a me always. I can’t call him less able in his content area, his main lifelong friend!” than a dad; he really means a lot strength lies in what he gives Another former student, Emanuel to me. My diploma hangs above students outside the realm of the Chacon, who now lives in Las my computer desk with a photo classroom.”

Vegas, called to share his memo-

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BYRON HIGH SCHOOL | HOME OF THE TIGERS

The Process of Science at Byron Community High School Team Members: Ryan Dannhorn, Catherine Finn, James Jackson, Mike McHale and Duane Prax The science team at Byron Community High School continues to offer fantastic opportunities for kids in a variety of different activities. We have been working the last few years to implement more and more content and skills that align with the NGSS (Next Generation Science Standards). This has come with challenges and obstacles for both staff and students, but we continue to show progress in both content and skills. Here are a few of the latest highlights from our classes: Chemistry B This curriculum is being completely revamp this school year. Students have been exposed to a curriculum that is rooted in discovery/inquiry and tests have been much more skill based than a traditional “pen to paper” exam. The amount of student engagement and learning has been significantly higher than in past years. A huge amount of credit needs to be given to Mr. Ryan Dannhorn and Mr. James Jackson for spending many hours devising a curriculum that is much better suited for this student population. Work and success will continue in this area.

AP Chemistry/Chemistry A AP Chemistry is being offered again at BHS after taking a year

off due to staff turnover. Each of these courses are essentially college prep courses. Much time and effort has focused on creating better study habits, study skills, and Vernier data gathering software and data analysis.

Biology I Students in Biology have recently concluded an instructional unit in which they learned about the process of science and improving their understanding of homeostatic balance in the body. This unit concluded with an experimental design lab that focused on variables that potentially influence the heart rate recovery. These labs were designed and performed by students, appropriate data was gathered using the Vernier software and the findings of their study was presented to a group of their peers. We were really practicing science as we learned about the process and how it actually works.

Physics Students in honors physics have recently completed an instructional unit on 2D motion in which they investigated the motion of projectile objects. A common theme throughout the course has been experimental design as students are often given prompts/questions and asked to design methods to solve these questions. The course utilizes the use of Vernier software and probe-ware whenever possible. Students in conceptual physics just completed an instruction unit on momentum and rotational momentum while utilizing many of the everyday

objects in their daily lives to help explain the physics concepts. We recently completed our discussion of conservation of angular momentum using the

now famous YouTube “water bottle flip” to help create a hands on activity and explore the reason behind a perfect water bottle flip.

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CHADWICK-MILLEDGEVILLE DISTRICT 399

Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony The Chadwick-Milledgeville CUSD #399 Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony was held Friday, October 7, 2016.

4 sports teams and 5 individuals were inducted.

They have two children and four grandchildren.

The late Cindy SwearingenRadosevich: Accepting the honor on her behalf is her father Mr. Alvie Swearingen and her granddaughters Catherine and Theresa. Cindy Swearingen was a 1974 graduate of Milledgeville High School. Ms. Swearingen attended Bradley and Loyola Medical School… interning three years at the acclaimed Northwestern School of Medicine. Ms. SwearingenRadosevich specialized in Oncology & Hematology treating numerous patients from our area.

Mr. Kevin Stewart: Son of Bob and Wanda Stewart of Chadwick is a 1977 graduate of Chadwick High School. Mr. Stewart attended the United States Military Academy at West Point graduating in 1981 with honors. Mr. Stewart spent 20 years of active duty in the Army, served in Operation Desert Storm, earned the Bronze Star, and retired as a Major in 1991. Mr. Stewart lives in Virginia with his wife Carlita of 31 years.

Mr. Robert Coleman: 1983 graduate of Milledgeville High School. Accepting the award on Mr. Coleman’s behalf are his parents Crystal Collins, and Greg and Joyce Coleman, all from Milledgeville. After high school Mr. Coleman attended the United States Air Force Academy graduating in 1987.

Mr. Coleman served as an officer and pilot at numerous locations throughout the world. Mr. Coleman retired as a Lieutenant Colonel in August of 2013 after 26 years of distinguished service in the Air Force.

Mr. Jack Hippen: 1981 graduate of Chadwick High School. Accepting the award on Mr. Hippen’s behalf is his brother Mr. Jeff Hippen.

Following high school Mr. Hippen attended the University of Wisconsin Madison where he was recruited to play basketball. Mr. Hippen graduated in 1985 from University of Wisconsin, Madison with a degree in Agriculture Economics and later he earned his

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MBA from Edgewood College in 1991. Mr. Hippen has spent his career in the Dairy Industry both domestically and internationally. Mr. Hippen lives in Madison, Wisconsin, is married, and has four children.

Mr. Dwight Daub: The son of the late Floyd Daub, longtime Superintendent of Milledgeville and Mrs. Audrey Daub who still lives in Milledgeville. Mr. Daub is a 1974 graduate of Milledgeville High School.

He attended the University of Evansville and graduated in 1978. Mr. Daub served as a teacher and coach in the com-

munities of Newburg, Indiana, Kirkland, Illinois, and Salem, Illinois. In 1986 Mr. Daub earned his Masters of Science from Eastern Illinois University. In 1988 Mr. Daub began his career as a Strength and Conditioning Coach at the University of Arizona. He later served in that capacity at the University of Illinois and the University of Utah.

In 1997 Mr. Daub began his NBA coaching career with the Seattle Sonics and later the Oklahoma City Thunder. Mr. Daub retired from coaching in 2015. Mr. Daub lives in Oklahoma City with his wife Laurie. They have two children and five grandchildren.

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PRIDE 2016

CHADWICK-MILLEDGEVILLE DISTRICT 399 The five team inductees are: 1966 Milledgeville High School Football Team First undefeated team in school history with a record of 8-0, beginning of a long era of Milledgeville success in football.

Team Roster: Dick Trujillo Nobis Bob Nee Jim Skinner Ted Maloney Tom Diehl Tom Matznick Rick Meyer Paul Burger Mike Williams Greg Miller Bill Hammer Bill Matthews Dave Hutchison Tom Rawson Jim Graehling Mike Kendall Chris Ratliff Charles Baker Dave Miatke Gary Hartje Bill Frew David Loos John Strehlow Coach Lester Snow Coach Rick Malson Coach Richard Johnson Coach Denny Miller 1981-82 Chadwick Varsity Boys Basketball Team Record of 28-2 IHSA Tournament reached the Sweet 16 Team Roster: Jeff Hippen Mike Ottens Ryan Schave Scott Queckboerner Billy Rahn Roger Tegeler Jeff Brinkmeier Bernie Wiersema Randy Vos Lenny Kness Craig Mock Brian Scheidegger Todd Bryant Mick Nelson (Mgr.) Kevin Miller (Mgr.)

Jennifer Burkholder (Mgr.) Coach Jack Fritz Asst. Coach Jim Ditsworth 1986 Milledgeville High School Volleyball Team Achieved a record of 26-2 Reached the IHSA State Tournament Quarter Finals Team Roster Liz Bracken-Betzer Julie Lapp-Hendricks Sandi Baylor-Schmidt Kelly Ritenour-Leddy Jamie Strehlow-Shackelford Leslie Eastabrooks-Miller Teri Litwiller-Schroeder Amy Nesemeier-Damon Kari Ritenour-Harms Katie Hull-Schroeder Coach Jody Engelkens 1998 MHS Football Team Record of 12-1 First team to reach the IHSA State Football Playoffs Semi Finals Team Roster Josh Stepp (Mgr.) Doug Sturtevant Nate Johnson Darin Pauley Ryan Schryver Ben Adolph Kurt Francis Ryan Miller Chris Meier Travis Gruenwald Ryan Haefner Jack Swanson Mark Beyer (Mgr.) Rick Hutchison Josh Nye Paul Grant Mike Reed Otis Varden Nick Powell Jake Wetzel Jevon Plog Conan Stanley Ed Livengood Ben Dusing Coach Gary Hartje Coach Dick Hefty Coach Mark Downey Coach Shean Albrecht Coach Tom Digmann

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DIXON HIGH SCHOOL | HOME OF THE DUKES AND DUCHESSES HELPING STRENGTHEN FAMILY BONDS

Thrivent Financial and DHS sports families worked together to make wreaths that are being sold at football games to benefit the Bond family, whose daughter is suffering from leukemia.

The beautiful wreaths were created by sports family members and sponsored by Thrivent Financial and agent Jeanine Pitman.

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DIXON HIGH SCHOOL | HOME OF THE DUKES AND DUCHESSES STUDENTS, STAFF LEND A HAND – AND AN ARM

The Dixon High School Student Council sponsors two to three blood drives each school year. The American Red Cross works closely with the students to put together the blood drives. Council members hosted the fall blood drive, which went very well, with 73 students and staff registered for the day. The council collected 50 whole blood pints and four double red blood cell pints.

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TEACHER REALLY EXCELLED

Dixon High School congratulates Brandon Woodward for being recognized by Those Who Excel as one of the best teachers in Illinois. Mr. Woodward has 8 years of teaching experience, the last 3 at Dixon High School. His current teaching assignment includes world history and psychology, in which his classes are characterized as engaging and thought-provoking. He also serves as an assistant football coach and head girls’ track coach, leading the team to the conference championship. Dixon High School is fortunate to have such a dedicated professional on its staff.

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DIXON HIGH SCHOOL | HOME OF THE DUKES AND DUCHESSES WHERE THERE’S VOLLEYBALL, THERE’S HOPE

Volley for a Cure was held during the Dixon vs. Rock Falls volleyball match. Money was raised through T-shirts sales and a bake sale.

All proceeds from the event – $693 was raised – went to support Home of Hope in Dixon.

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EASTLAND JR./SR. HIGH SCHOOL | HOME OF THE COUGARS

Physical Education Classes The Eastland Junior High and High School Physical Education Classes took several field trips this fall during block day. The students and teachers were able to enjoy the facilities at the Lake Carroll pool, the Lake Carroll driving range to practice our golf skills, and Trailside for mini-golf. Due to the fact that we can get to these establishments during one block period, these field trips do not interfere with other classes. It is a golden opportunity and we are lucky to have such great places to visit so close to home.

A big thank you to Char at Trailside, Chelsey Heckman and Jason Hill for making these things happen for the students at Eastland. Adding to that, we had terrific weather for all these events as well!

CAD/CAM Pinewood Derby What is CAD/CAM? CAD/CAM is a brand new course offered at Eastland High School.

CAD stands for computer aided-design and CAM stands for computer aided-manufacturing. In this course students will explore 3D printing and the technologies 3D printing has to offer.

Pinewood Derby Over the last month students have been creating their own pinewood derby cars. They were given the same rules Cub Scouts would have, the main difference was this class had to print their wheels. To begin students created a design for the body and the wheels of the car. After their designs were approved students used Tinkercad a 3D CAD design tool to create their wheels. Students also used the tools from our school’s shop to cut and sand their blocks into shape. Once the student’s wheels were ready they printed them using our MakerBot 3D printer. Students are now in the final stages of preparation. In the upcoming weeks we are going to have a competition and race the cars using a track just like in Cub Scouts to determine who built and designed the fastest car.

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EASTLAND JR./SR. HIGH SCHOOL | HOME OF THE COUGARS

Incorporating 21st Century Technology Students in 7th/8th grade enrichment class participated in a project using Makey Makeys, an invention kit that takes normal everyday materials and turns them into interactive touchpads. Students used Play-Doh, bananas, graphite pencils and other conductive materials along with Scratch, a free programming tool, to create their own unique band and music.

Students in 5th grade participated in an Augmented Reality project. Students wrote a persuasive essay in which they turned into a video using Powtoons, a video creation tool.

Students then used Aurasma Studio, a free augmented reality tool, to create their trigger image using original artwork. Students, faculty and parents were able to scan the student created trigger image to view the students video using the Augmented Reality app.

Students in 7th grade Science have been using an Arduino to learn about basic circruity. Students are using the Arduino along with the components necessary to complete circuits to power LED lights. The high school Computer Programming course is also starting to implement the use of Arduino’s into the course curriculum. Students will be

able to build and program different projects that they can learn to modify by manipulating the different sections of code.

Mr. McLain, a English teacher at Eastland Junior/Senior High School, has begun to use an Amazon Echo in his classroom as an instructional tool. Students are allowed to use the Echo to ask factual questions, play interactive games such as Jeopardy as well as listen to daily facts, jokes and riddles. The Echo also allows the teacher to have access to different resources in a hands-free setting.

Mr. McLain can verbally set timers, play music and ask questions as needed without having to return to his desk or leave the group that he is working with.

Eastland Named by U.S. News as One of the Best High Schools: Eastland Jr/Sr High School was named to U.S. News and World Report list of 2016 Best High School in America.

U.S. News recognizes high schools with gold, silver and bronze medals. US. News ranking included data on more than 21,000 schools in the nation with 6,515 schools being recognized. Illinois had 171 schools recognized.

U.S. News & World Report is a digital news and information company that empowers people to make better, more informed decisions about important issues affecting their lives. More than 35 million people visit usnews.com each month for research and guidance. Founded in 1933, U.S. News is headquartered in Washington, D.C.

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EASTLAND JR./SR. HIGH SCHOOL | HOME OF THE COUGARS

Eastland FFA Members compete well at the state and national level Eastland FFA member Connor Erbsen won the State FFA Dairy Cattle Handlers Activity and advanced to the national level in October at the National FFA Convention in Indianapolis where he was ranked silver.

During this contest Connor had to show multiple dairy cattle for the judge while other students were judging the cattle. He was evaluated on his appearance, ability to control the cattle he was handling, poise and confidence as well as his competency in showing off the female to the best of her ability, effective restraint of the animal, placing the animal in the best possible position to be judged as well as his knowledge of the dairy industry.

Austin Poffenberger was selected as the State FFA Proficiency Winner in Electrical Technology. SAEs allow students to learn by doing by either owning and operating an agricultural business, working or serving an internship at an agriculture-based business or conducting an agriculture-based scientific experiment and reporting results.

Marshall Fink and Alex Dambman of the Eastland FFA were recognized at the Illinois State FFA Convention as Illinois candidates for Star Farmer and Star in Agriculture Business. Of the 80 Illinois FFA members receiving their American FFA Degrees this year these members were recognized as being the cream of the crop. This honor was awarded to them based on their hard work and dedication to their SAE’s and to the FFA. Both members have worked very hard over the past 6 years to receive this, the highest honor and degree that they can receive in the FFA.

Eastland Expands Robotics Program

Eastland Jr/Sr High School established a First Lego League middle school course and robotics team for the 2012 school year. This year, Eastland has added a course for high school students.

Robotics and BioMechanics is a lab-based course using the VEX Robotic Design System. This system is built around a hands-on approach to introduce the basic concepts of robotics, focusing on the construction and programming of autonomous mobile robots. Course activities are tied to lab experiments; students work in groups to build and test increasingly more complex mobile robots, culminating in a competition in which students will engage each other in a robot battle.

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FAITH CHRISTIAN SCHOOL

Winterim

For one week in March, students in 5th through 12th grade are allowed to participate in new and exciting educational programs to enhance their extracurricular involvement. Some of the courses included were Vehicle Maintenance, Sewing, Baking, Archery, Mixed Media, Team Adventure, and STEM. After taking a class each morning students went to various service projects in the afternoon.

Students served at Lowell Park, KSB, the Dixon Food Pantry, Village of Progress, Stronghold Castle, and the Leydig Center in an effort to serve our community in a multitude of ways. The students learned different tasks at each service project while having a good time with friends. It was a mutually beneficial experience for the students of FCS and the various organizations we served.

Serving in Belize

Every two years, the juniors and seniors at Faith Christian School participate in a week long missions trip. The most recent mission trip to Belize surpassed all expectations. The first day we spent most of the morning at an orphanage where some of the students led a puppet show followed by a dance party. We also spent time at a nursing home singing songs and playing games with the elderly.

Since we had many opportunities to distribute food, we all had the chance to experience what life was like for the less fortunate. Each day we helped with an afterschool program where we assisted students with homework and played with them. The student-led drama was a terrific success!

The crew had the chance to perform it multiple times in the church service, street ministry, and a local high school.

The juniors and seniors on the trip also had some free time to tour the ancient Mayan temples. At the end of our trip, we all traveled to an island where we snorkeled and saw coral reefs, sharks, and stingrays. We concluded our trip with a night of powerful worship, testimonies, and affirmations of the week. With all the people we met and relationships that were formed, it was clear that God was working in miraculous ways. It was an all-around moving experience spiritually, and we would all love the chance to return and reunite with the wonderful people of Belize.

PRIDE 2016

FORRESTON JR./SR. HIGH SCHOOL | HOME OF THE CARDINALS

Cardinal PRIDE

Forreston Junior/Senior High School seeks to enrich the lives of its students through academics, fine arts, athletics, and service to community. The 2016-17 school year is off to a great start filled with Cardinal PRIDE. First and foremost, we are pleased to announce two new programs; Project Lead the Way for our junior high students and CollegeNOW for our high school students.

Project Lead the Way is an opportunity for students in grades 7th and 8th to participate in STEM programming. Through these activities, students are practicing their engineering skills in the world of Designing and Modeling and Robotics/Automation. Partnering with the University of Illinois and the University of Illinois at Chicago, teachers are opening pathways to prepare students for careers in the 21st century.

Juniors and Seniors who meet rigorous achievement criteria were eligible to enroll, fulltime, at Highland Community College in the CollegeNOW program.

Students began their college preparatory process by enrolling in summer seminars to transition them from high school class to college course expectations. We are proud of the students who have enrolled

and their hard work will pay great dividends as they graduate with an Associates Degree and a high school diploma.

In recognizing that the success of our school is due in part to the support from the surrounding communities, our students continue to show their gratitude through service organizations such our Servant Leadership and National Honors Society programs. These organizations provide students multiple opportunities for community service projects. One of this year’s Servant Leaders activities involved fundraising for Shriner’s Children’s Hospitals.

They partnered with local Shriner’s during a home football game to raise funds for children in need. Currently, they are working with Forreston’s New Life Food Pantry to provide local families with Christmas Dinner baskets. The National Honors Society also hosts a blood drive, twice a year, for the Rock River Valley Blood Center.

Forreston Junior/Senior High School students are enthusiastic, engaged, and driven to do well. Whether they are in the classroom, on the stage, or in the field, they will continue to be a source of pride for our staff, their families, and all those who are a part of the “Cardinal Nation.”

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FULTON HIGH SCHOOL | HOME OF THE STEAMERS

Fulton High Installs New Scoreboards By: Blake Dornbush Recently, the athletic department at Fulton High School has been looking to install a video board in the East gym and in the process, upgrade the scoreboards.

Last June, athletic director/assistant principal Josh Knuth got the opportunity to travel to Omaha, Nebraska to see one of the models in action that the school had been considering purchasing. “They are extremely bright and vivid,” stated Knuth. “The board will allow us to create advertisement videos and pictures, hype videos to play before pregame warmups, as well as keep score and show a player accolade after a made basket. The board will also be able to be used during presentations and assemblies in the gym.”

This addition made to Fulton High School was funded through a donation

from Coca Cola along with additional advertising dollars from sponsors such as Manny’s Too, Agri King, and Central Bank. The new scoreboards should be up

and have some of their special features going for Meet the Steamers to be held on November 10th and be fully functional for the first home event this December.

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FULTON HIGH SCHOOL | HOME OF THE STEAMERS

Media Pub Receives Grant for Drone

By Cody Sanderson For years now, the Media Publications class has been making “Week in Review” videos which highlight the prior week’s events. They have always been using the same old video cameras, but now the Media Pub team has received a FACE (Fulton Area Community Enrichment) grant to purchase a drone which can fly, recrod videos, and take pictures.

Towards the end of the 2015-16 school year, Mr. Hoese applied for the grant thinking it was highly unlikely that they would receive it. Later that summer when he received notice that they would receive it. “I figured best-case scenario we would have an awesome drone for students to use for videos and photos,” said Hoese, “and if we didn’t get the grant we weren’t out anything.”

“When I found out we were going receive the grant, that’s when the floodgates opened for the endless possibilities that my students would have,” Hoese said. What the grant did not cover in regards to the needed bundle of items, Media Pub covered

with their class funds.

The drone that the Media Pub class has purchased is the DJI Phantom 4, which can fly up to about 400 feet in the air and has a two mile range. It can take high resolution photos and up to 4K Ultra HD videos.

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PRIDE 2016

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MORRISON HIGH SCHOOL | HOME OF THE FILLIES, MUSTANGS, PONIES & COLTS

Morrison Students participate in this year’s Paint the Town event.

The theme for 2016 was “ART MATTERS.”

Quinn Sedig & Grace Mayberry - this was in memoir to fallen classmate, Peyton Cook, who died in a car crash last school year.

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MORRISON HIGH SCHOOL | HOME OF THE FILLIES, MUSTANGS, PONIES & COLTS

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MORRISON HIGH SCHOOL | HOME OF THE FILLIES, MUSTANGS, PONIES & COLTS

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NEWMAN CENTRAL CATHOLIC HIGH SCHOOL | HOME OF THE COMETS

With Christ our Cornerstone and rooted in our Catholic faith, Newman Central Catholic High School fosters spiritual development, academic excellence, responsibility to self, and service to others.

This fall Newman kicks off its S.T.R.E.A.M. (Science, Technology, Religion, Engineering, Arts, Math) initiative and strives to educate students of today for jobs of tomorrow. Our faculty assists students in preparing a foundation for a lifetime of learning by using technologies of today. By enhancing STEM learning with the addition of Arts and Religion, Newman students stand ready to face the challenges of life after high school.

New to Newman this year is a Science Club led and organized by educators, Lisa Cook and Beth Verdick. Thirty students of all grade levels are participating in the inaugural year of the club. Students engage in activities and challenges that explore various science concepts. They also will be sharing what they have learned with the local Catholic elementary schools. The goal of the club is to get students excited about science and its relevance in their everyday lives.

Newman’s math and science departments are participating in a $3million/3 year federal grant administered by the Regional Office of Education. Our teachers are examining the Illinois State Math Standards and Next Generation Science Standards to develop curriculum,

incorporate technology, and understand scope and sequence to meet state-level education standards. Illinois Math and Science Academy and Northern Illinois University lead these discussions and facilitate the creation of standard-aligned lesson plans.

In addition to the Computer Applications course, Newman now offers on-line, independent study courses for Intro to Web Design and Programming as well as Basics of Programming. In-house faculty proctor student progress and are responsible for student supervision and first-line troubleshooting. Since this is the first year of these course offerings, students were able to offer input in the direction of the class and have chosen to focus on game development.

Newman offers Engineering Design I and Engineering Design II to junior and senior students. In addition to required coursework, students are exposed to real-life CAD applications through field trips to local manufacturing companies. In this course, students learn how to use professional 3D modeling software, Autodesk Inventor, to engineer and create 3D models. The practical final for the class is creating and printing a 3D model on the MakerBot 3D printer.

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Science Club members test their parachute for accuracy and speed of descent.

We are proud of all of our local High Schools’ Acheivements

PRIDE 2016

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NEWMAN CENTRAL CATHOLIC HIGH SCHOOL | HOME OF THE COMETS

Spring musical

Cast and crew of Rodger’s and Hammerstein’s “Cinderella” take a bow.

Nearly 20% of Newman students participated as cast members or stage crew in the spring musical production of Rodger’s and Hammerstein’s Cinderella. Faculty members Mardi Huffstutler and Heather Whitney organized the students and coordinated the efforts of parent volunteers to put forth an entertaining performance. The highlight of the performance was the magical transformation of Cinderella from a servant to a princess in a technically complicated sequence of stage movement,

lighting, misdirection, and quick change. Many hours went in to the coordination of this scene including the set designers who choreographed the seemingly powerless entrance of the carriage to the costume designer who created the tear-away dress to the lighting crew’s perfectly timed flash of the stage lights.

Newman encourages participation in the musical by all students because a production needs more than actors to be successful.

Newman students donate blood Last December, Pope Francis declared the Jubilee Year of Mercy which will end on November 20, 2016.

During this Year of Mercy, Newman staff and students have had many opportunities to practice corporal works of mercy including feeding the hungry through the Annual Food Drive in October, visiting (assisting) the sick by donating blood at Red Cross blood drives, and giving alms to the poor by sponsoring “jean days” and donating the proceeds to the St. Vincent de Paul Society. Newman students are provided with opportunities for mission work outside of the Sauk Valley area and are encouraged to be global citizens.

A Newman student donates blood at one of the Red Cross sponsored blood drives.

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OREGON HIGH SCHOOL | HOME OF THE HAWKS AND LADY HAWKS

Oregon High School continues its traditions Oregon High School continues its traditions tied academics, service, activities and leadership, helping us fulfill our district mission: Educate students to be life-long learners who are productive, responsible citizens. OHS has been nationally recognized three times since 2011 as one of the top high schools in the U.S. Oregon High School students can enroll in the following Advanced Placement courses: AP Statistics, AP U.S. Government, AP Art History, AP Environmental Science, AP Spanish Language, AP Literature and AP Calculus AB. In addition, OHS students can take a number of dual credit courses offered through Highland Community College, and can potentially graduate with up to a full year’s worth of college credit. OHS students often earn enough college credit by graduation with between a full semester to a full year worth of college credit.

There are plenty of elective programs available at OHS, far more than at other high schools of similar size. Students can take courses in both choral and instrumental music, art, agriculture, woodworking, welding, Spanish and project-based learning. Students also have a variety of clubs to choose from, ranging from Dungeons and Dragons to Club 9, where students take a variety of trips experience any number of cultural experiences.

OHS students regularly accrue over 10,000 hours of community service at the end of each school year through, school-wide service days, athletic team service projects and service students do outside of normal school functions.

The Oregon High School Band had an amazing 2015-16 school year. Early in the year, students auditioned for the Illinois Music Educators Association (ILMEA) ensembles. The band had eight students selected to the ILMEA district band and two students in the jazz band. One student, senior Allyse Ketter, was selected to the ILMEA Honors All-State Concert Band.

Going on at the same time as the ILMEA festivals, the OHS Marching Hawks were working hard on their show, “Star Wars Episode MMXV: Attack of the Tones.” They performed at all four home football games, attended two competitions, and marched in three parades.

The jazz band is an optional smaller group of the band program which rehearses during their study hall. They performed several gigs throughout the area during the year and into the summer. The jazz band also took part in the state organizational contest in April. This contest for jazz and concert band as well

as choir, in combination with the Solo/Ensemble contest, accumulates points toward the IHSA Music Sweepstakes Contest.

All six Oregon ensembles received Superior ratings, the band placed 3rd in the state for class B, and the school placed 4th!

When the winter sports season begins, so also begins the Pep Band season. The craziest pep band in the state dazzled the home crowds with their exciting music and inane dress-up themes. The same crazy students are all business in the concert band setting. The OHS Concert Band produced an outstanding series of concerts this year, including the 22nd annual Band Extravaganza in March, featuring all 200 band students in the district.

Because of their hard work, the band is rewarded with a summer trip every other year. This summer is an off year, but the band will be heading back to perform at Disney World in the summer of 2017!

PRIDE 2016

OREGON HIGH SCHOOL | HOME OF THE HAWKS AND LADY HAWKS

Another successful year!

Oregon High School had another successful year in athletic competition during the 2015-16 school year. Highlights for the Hawks included: The Lady Hawk volleyball team finished with a record of 28-9, and reached the IHSA 2A Regional Championship game.

The OHS boys soccer team won the Big Northern West Conference championship with a perfect 12-0 record. The team won the IHSA 1A Regional championship, and reached the Sectional finals, finishing with an overall record of 21-4 The OHS boys and girls golf teams combined to go 21-3 in dual meets.

The OHS boys basketball team captured 1st place at its’ annual Oregon Thanksgiving tournament winning all four games in the event. The Hawks also advanced to the IHSA 2A Regional championship game and finished with an overall record of 21-9.

The OHS boys bowling team finished with a perfect 12-0 dual meet record and claimed the IHSA Regional championship.

The OHS girls bowling team finished with a perfect

14-0 dual meet record.

The Lady Hawk softball team advanced to the IHSA Class 2A Regional Championship game.

The boys track 4 x 400m relay team captured third place at the IHSA Class 1A State Finals.

In addition to their fine accomplishments on the field, court, mat, or diamond, OHS athletes donated over 1,500 hours of community service back to the area through various events. It’s great to be an Oregon Hawk!

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POLO HIGH SCHOOL | HOME OF THE MARCOS

Cats in the cradle Curiosity saved the cats thanks to a class where students get a real-life lesson in animal science

POLO – Kittens, by most estimations, are cute, cuddly and lovable, the sort of winsome creatures that adorn Christmas and birthday cards.

But they are also remarkably helpless, especially during their initial days and weeks of life.

When kittens are born, their eyes are closed, rendering them blind, and they are also deaf. They can’t walk, and they can’t feed themselves without the mother cat nursing them.

In short, without their mother’s nurturing, they face an almost certain death sentence.

That was the grim fate facing a litter of five newborns Polo High School agriculture teacher Stephanie Ruppert discovered Oct. 10 on her family’s farm west of Lanark in rural Carroll County. continued on page 29 LEFT: Alicia Greve weighs Aggie.

RIGHT: Tess Kurschner bottle feeds Blake, one of 5 kittens.

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PRIDE 2016

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POLO HIGH SCHOOL | HOME OF THE MARCOS

There’s more to kittens than just cuteness continued from page 28 “We had backed a couple of racks of hay into a barn,” Ruppert said. The racks sat for a few days before family members moved the wagons and began unloading the bales. That’s when she saw the kittens in the hay – but no mom.

Having been around animals her whole life, Ruppert knew the kittens were in dire straits. “We couldn’t just leave them on the hay,” she said.

So she gathered up the little balls of fur and placed them in a box. Although four of the kittens had managed to open their eyes, the smallest still was groping around with her eyes nearly shut.

Ruppert estimated they were perhaps 2 weeks old.

For the kittens to survive, someone would have to assume the role of surrogate mother, providing them with the essentials of life.

It was during that moment of reckoning that Ruppert came up with an idea that ultimately would give the kittens a fighting chance at life and at the same time provide an educational opportunity for her students: She took her box of kittens to school, and introduced them to her animal science class. The five kittens would become the class project for the fall semester.

“I told the class we’re going to try to take care of the kittens as best we can,” she said. “Living on a farm, we have barn cats all over the place, but I’ve never bottle-fed kittens,” she said.

But caring for the kittens, she cautioned the students, wouldn’t be easy. It would require lots of work. The students would have to become the mother the kittens had lost.

Ruppert divided the class into five groups, with each group selecting one of the kittens.

“They would be responsible for feeding the kitten, weighing it to make sure it was growing properly, everything that goes into raising a kitten,” Ruppert said.

That meant doing the requisite research on feline biology, and applying that knowledge to fostering the kittens to maturity.

When Ruppert asked the students whether they were prepared to assume such a heavy responsibility, they responded with enthusiasm, said senior Lindsey Coleman.

“We said, ‘That’s awesome.’” But she acknowledged that the project has

Ruppert said she’d never bottle-fed kittens before, and neither had most of her students – until, that is, a quintet of cuteness was brought in as a class project for Ruppert’s animal science class.

involved a lot more work than she anticipated.

“We didn’t know that we had to do all this stuff,” she said. “You have to help them with everything.”

But the students have resolutely taken on the task.

“We had to figure out what they eat, when they can have hard food, what shots they need,” said Ahleah Lopez, another senior.

Usually, Ruppert takes the kittens home with her at night, but sometimes they go home with students.

Lopez said that means getting up in the middle of the night to bottle feed the kitten and tend to its other needs. “It’s a lot of pressure,” she said. “But I like animals.”

One of the first orders of business was to come up with names for the three girls and two boys. Ruppert named one kitten Aggie, a male, in recognition of the ag class that would be taking care of him.

The students named the rest: Bandit, a boy; Mabel, a girl; and Blake, another girl.

The final kitten was originally named Nicholas. But that name was based on the preliminary determination that the kitten was a boy. However, when the local veterinarian inspected the litter and informed the class Nicholas was a girl, the name was changed to Edna.

So far, all of the kittens have survived,

even Blake, the runt of the litter. In fact, said senior Tess Kurschner, Blake has bulked up to about a half pound. That doesn’t seem like much, especially when compared to the 1 pound that Edna has grown to, but it’s a vast improvement on what she weighed when she first hit the scale.

“Blake’s gained a bunch of weight,” she said proudly.

In fact, Ruppert said, the kittens are flourishing, thanks to her students.

“They’re really moving around now,” she said. They certainly know when it’s feeding time.”

If all goes as planned, the kittens will be ready to move into permanent homes by the end of the semester, Ruppert said.

Ruppert said she’s planning on taking two of the kittens, especially since her 3-year old daughter has fallen in love with the orphans.

The others will likely go home with some of the students who have nurtured them. Those adopting one of the orphans, however, will have to produce a signed note from a parent before the kitten can move into its new home.

Ruppert said the way the students have responded to the challenge of saving the five kittens has been truly impressive.

“It’s a testament to them,” she said.

“They’ve really taken this to heart, and you really can’t teach that. You can’t teach compassion.”

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PROPHETSTOWN HIGH SCHOOL | HOME OF THE PANTHERS

Robotics class in action

By Brittney Bender A math class at Prophetstown High School is engaged in this program called Robotics. In this Robotics class, the students have different tasks that they have to do.

Each day the students have to record different goals for their robots in a notebook. The notebook also includes information about their classmates, information they talk about in class, and also a business plan.

In this program, the students also have to do volunteer time; for their volunteer time they go over to the middle school and help the 6th graders improve their multiplication skills. Grants were given by John Deere, The P-L-T Ed Foundation and Illinois FIRST Tech Challenge.

Kyle Sigel, Kevin Sigel, Andrew Reutzel, Conner Reiley and Jenah Russ work on the robots, while Autumn Clary fills the grants out and helps plan the outreach program. Conner and Kyle are currently working on the surrounding field. Andrew, Kevin, and Jenah work on the playing field. The playing field is where they will test the robots’ abilities.

The FIRST Tech Challenge (FTC) is designed for students from 7-12 grade. FTC helps children develop their ability to work with hands-on and real-life situations. This is the first year that FTC has helped with our high school programs. John Deere provides grants for several teams. Not only does Deere provide funding for many teams, including ours, they also provide mentors for teams. John Deere also has sponsored the FIRST LEGO League. The Ed Foundation provided the Robotics class with a grant, but they also accept donations and provide funds for educational programs. The Ed foundation also helps get supplies for students to use and helps fund field trips.

The robotics work has been going on for years now, but this is the first year that are high school has been involved. The students really enjoy getting to work with technology in the class.

Middle schoolers have done a program like robotics but not the same that program. The program that they did was called FLL team.

Students in the robotics class are also planning on actually competing against other teams this year. Good luck to the Robotics team.

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ROCK FALLS HIGH SCHOOL | HOME OF THE ROCKETS

Rock Falls National Honor Society Throughout the past year the Rock Falls National Honor Society has worked together with Judy Randall of the Whiteside County Health Department on a project aimed at banning tobacco use in the Coloma Park district. Beginning in the fall of 2015, National Honor Society members began completing surveys and documenting community interest in having tobacco-free parks.

To educate the public, the students participated in several activities to increase the awareness of tobacco-related issues.

First, Tess Schaefer and Amber Rasmussen wrote a letter to the editor explaining the project and the long-term effects of tobacco use and second-hand smoke. Then on a rainy Sunday afternoon in the spring of 2016, a group of National Honor Society students placed “Play hard. Breathe easy” placards around the square of Rock Falls, moving from the Whiteside County Health Department on West 2nd Street to the corner of 1st Avenue, from 1st Avenue to Route 30, from Route 30 to 12th Avenue, and from 12th Avenue back to West 2nd Street.

On another blustery Sunday a month later, National Honor Society students walked through several parks in Rock Falls, including the areas along the Rock River, picking up any to-

 

bacco-related litter. Within just an hour students had collected three tubes of cigarette butts and other tobacco-related products in the Coloma parks.

After gathering the cigarette butts and conducting several surveys at various parks and around the community, a group of students and Judy Randall presented these items to the Coloma Township Board in July. After a few meetings and a lot of discussion amongst the board members, in August the board agreed to ban tobacco use in Coloma parks.

When this proposal passed, the National Honor Society members felt very accomplished as they realized that their efforts had made a positive change in the community. Indeed, the voices of the youth do matter. Due to numerous newspaper articles, KWQC Channel 6 News heard about the initiative and interviewed a few of the NHS members for a feature news story.

Having succeeded once with a grassroots campaign, the Rock Falls High School National Honor Society is again working with Judy Randall regarding the use of vape pens, and they hope for a second success story.

See photos on page 33 & 34

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PRIDE 2016

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ROCK FALLS HIGH SCHOOL | HOME OF THE ROCKETS

From Left to Right: Rollie Elder, Sydney Young, Bailey Bickett, Saire Johnson, Lori Kyger (National Honor Society advisor - in back), Molly Mammosser, Johanna Cravatta, Ruby Willett, Gracie Rabuck

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STERLING HIGH SCHOOL | HOME OF THE GOLDEN WARRIORS

“Where kids achieve”

Since the 1999-2000 school year, Sterling High School has been proud to offer internationally-recognized Advanced Placement (AP) courses to our students. AP courses allow high school students to take approved college-level curricula in high school and test for proFiciency credit at the end of the course. At the genesis of our program, our vision and implementation was modest: AP would challenge our most advanced students. That year, Sterling students sat for 58 exams in four courses: US History, Literature and Composition, Language and Composition, and Calculus. (At the time, students were required to take the exam as a part of the course.) However, over time, we realized that many more students could benefit from the rigor and exposure to college-level curricula and earn college credits while in high school. In 2008, we began a vigorous expansion of our program, increasing the number of courses involved and the number of students enrolled in these classes. Sterling High School now offers fourteen courses: Language and Composition, Literature and Composition, Human Geography, US History, United States Government and Politics, Chemistry, Biology, Statistics, Calculus AB, Calculus BC, Studio Art Drawing, Studio Art 2D Design, and Studio Art 3D Design. For the past Five years, Sterling High School students have sat for an average of 215 exams per year, a growth of almost 400% in 15 years. This growth has been instrumental in the Sterling High School’s national recognition in the previous three years: US News and World Report’s Best High Schools (bronze and silver awards) and the Washington Post’s Most Challenging High Schools.

The benefits of AP participation are staggering. According to a research report by Mattern, Marini, and Shaw, “ Based on a national sample of more than 1.5 millions students, the odds of enrolling in a four-year institution increased by 171% for students who took one AP exam compared with students who took no AP exams.” The same research study found that there is a national four-year college graduation rate of just 38% for students who did not participate in AP; this number rose to 58% for students who did. The graduation rate also increased in correlation with the students’ scores on their AP exams, with 71% of students who score a 5 graduating in four years. Students who participate in AP are more likely to graduate, and graduate on time, than their peers. In addition to helping students graduate on time and saving on college costs, AP proFiciency credit helps students focus on essentials in college. Deisy Diaz, 2014 SHS Graduate and National AP Scholar, took 10 AP exams while at SHS. She earned over 30 college credits, and earning credit for her general education requirements allowed her to specialize in mostly sciences. In her words, “When you’re in college, you want to take as few classes as possible at a time to really focus on them. AP made it possible for me to take fewer classes per semester and specialize in physics and calculus rather than worrying about also writing a paper for history.”

To continue our Advanced Placement Expansion Sterling High School partnered with Equal Opportunity School (EOS) out of Seattle, Washington to analyze our Advanced Placement socio-economic and ethnic enrollment gaps and work with us to identify students capable of excelling in Advanced Placement courses, but not currently enrolled.

With the help of EOS, we identified and enrolled 88 underrepresented students into an Advanced Placement courses for the First time. We supported these students with AP Mentors and AP Labs. In addition, we have added study sessions and additional practice testing for all our AP students before the spring exams with the hope of administering over 500 AP tests this spring and scoring at or above the National Average on each test.

Expanding our Advanced Placement offerings and increasing the enrollment in our Advanced Placement courses is another way Sterling High School demonstrates that Sterling Public Schools is a place “Where kids achieve”.

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STERLING HIGH SCHOOL | HOME OF THE GOLDEN WARRIORS

Wow! What a Fall for SHS Sports

Sterling High School fall athletes are seeing unprecedented success this season. Sterling High School has 9 fall sports opportunities for its student-athletes: Boys and Girls Cross Country, Volleyball, Football, Girls Tennis, Boys and Girls Golf, Boys Soccer, and Girls Swimming. For these SHS student athletes, the Fall of 2016 is one to remember.

The Boys and Girls Cross Country teams both finished first in the Northern Illinois Big 12 West Division. The boys team followed up their Conference success with the first Boys Cross Country Regional Title and first team qualification for the state meet since 1983. The SHS Girls Tennis team had a successful regular season and advanced its number one singles player to the State of Illinois Tennis tournament. The boys and girls golf teams had successful seasons as well. The Girls Golf Team continues to build their program and the Boys Golf Team finished first in the Northern Illinois Big 12 West Division and won the Regional Championship with senior Ryan Blackburn earning medalist honors. At the Sectional Golf Meet SHS advanced Nick Ceruzzi to the State Golf Tournament where he finished 50th. The Girls Swim Team was continued steady improvement and is headed to the Sectional Championship in Byron, IL. The Sterling High School Volleyball team finished 1st in the Northern Illinois Big 12 West Division, with Kaylee Martin being named MVP of the conference. The volleyball team also won the IHSA Regional title for the fourth year in a row.

The Sterling High School Football team finished its regular season with an undefeated record for the 10th time in the last 112 years. Going into the state playoffs Sterling High School is ranked 1st in 5A. After a dominating 1st round playoff win over Chicago Westinghouse, Sterling is looking for continues success in the coming rounds. Boys Soccer has continued their dominance finishing Northern Illinois Conference play unbeaten for another Conference Championship. The soccer team was led by Conference MVP and SHS senior Tony Diaz.

The 2016 soccer team also won the Regional Championship for the third year in a row.

Overall, Sterling High School has seen extensive State Tournament success in the fall of 2016, yet another example of the way Sterling Public Schools’ students achieve. The student-athletes and coaches at Sterling High School look to build on the fall sports’ success with success in its winter sports of Girls Bowling, Wrestling, Boys Swimming, Competition Cheer and Dance, and Boys and Girls Basketball.

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UNITY CHRISTIAN HIGH SCHOOL | HOME OF THE KNIGHTS

Unity Christian High School Annual Retreat and New Programs

At the beginning of every school year, Unity’s Student Council hosts a retreat for all students in grades 7-12.

Student Council meets frequently throughout the summer to coordinate all the details, including organizing speaking times, meals, and games. The entire student body (grades 7 – 12) takes a 2 day trip to an area camp to have fun and fellowship together beginning on the second day of the year. Prior to the beginning of the academic year, Unity Christian School picks out a theme; the 2016-2017 theme is Rise Up and Take Courage and the academic year is focused on 2 Timothy 1:7, “God did not give us a spirit of fear, but a spirit of power and love and self-control.” Retreat provides lots of fun and a time for devotions, reflection, prayer, and encouragement spiritual growth.

This year there are many reasons for Unity to Rise Up and Take Courage. Not only have we moved some students between buildings, we have also started a brand new Ag program. Although we live in an agricultural community, Ag education is not very prevalent in high schools in this area. This program makes Unity only the second school in Whiteside County to have an Ag program. Even though the first Ag class meets before school every day, that did not stop almost one-third of Unity’s high school students from signing up for the class. Dr. Sarah Buck is leading this group of students and has already had the

group traveling to different types of farms and teaching about the importance of Agriculture. In addition to Ag, Unity has just won their Soccer conference again. We have begun a year-long service project that pertains to Bridging the Gap between our student’s generation and the elderly. There is great excitement as Unity has begun plans to construct a new campus. Academics continue to be excellent. Most importantly, Truth from a Christ-centered perspective permeates all of it.

PRIDE 2016

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