Oly FFA Races off to National Convention

By OHS Torch Reporter: Carson Goff

 

On October 28,  the Olympia FFA chapter set off for a three day trip to Louisville, Kentucky for the 88th National FFA Convention and Expo.

This year 12 FFA members were selected to represent Olympia at the National FFA Convention. The 2015 convention theme and message was “Amplify,” students were challenged to Amplify, their goals, their life, their mind, and to boost their impact.

The trip also featured other educational and exciting opportunities. The students visited Huber winery and orchard. Huber spans over 550 acres of farmland where they grow many fruits, vegetables, Christmas trees, pumpkins, and grapes. They have a children’s farm park, farm market, cheese shop, ice cream factory, winery, gift shop and banquet facility. The students got to go on a tour and learn about the process of making wine and cider.

Sophomore Brock Gottschalk said, “ It was really interesting to see how they made the cider and wine. It was a nice stop on the trip to Louisville because that was such a long drive.”

While in Kentucky, the students had the opportunity to tour Churchill Downs museum and race track one of the main attractions in Kentucky. “My favorite part was Churchill Downs because we got to see the history or the Kentucky derby and how it has changed. The stadium and barns were really interesting and I liked seeing all the outfits women wore to derbies in the museum part,” said junior Ashley Miller.

While at the convention members attended general sessions and listened to different motivational speakers, including Dr. Rick Rigsby, and Amberley Snyder. Who both expressed their journeys and demonstrated that no matter how far you have fallen there is always a way to get back up and amplify your life.

Senior Ellie Schmidgall, FFA President, said, “My favorite speaker was Amberly because she really made me think about how things can change in the blink of an eye. She inspired me to live life to the fullest. I also love spending time with my FFA family from across the nation.”

Volleyball Team Serving Up Stiff Competition

By Carson Goff, OHS Torch reporter

 

On Tuesday, October 27, the OHS volleyball season came to a close. The final record was 21-10. It was truly a season to remember, with the girls finishing the season in the second round of regionals.

This year the volleyball team was lead by a strong group of seniors: Carson Goff, Genna VanWye, Katie Bergeron, Sara Rathbun, and Shannon Morr. These girls have been playing together for 6 years, with many of the girls playing on travel teams as well.

Senior Sara Rathbun said she feels this was a great season to go out on, “There was no drama and that certainly helps a lot. I know we all wish that the season could have lasted longer and that we would have went farther but I am very pleased.” Sara will be attending Quincy University, in the fall to play volleyball. “I am super excited for the next chapter of my life to start. I love volleyball and am looking forward to the next level.”

Other starters include: Juniors Sierra Priebe, Krista Coulthurst, and freshman Kallie Terrell. This season the girls were faced with much adversity, with multiple players getting injured at the same time. With the help of our experienced athletic trainer Josh Blaum, the girls were able to return quickly.

Varsity coach Kate Berry said, “We dealt with a lot of injuries this season, however, many girls stepped up to fill those holes across all three teams. The varsity team finished 1st place at the Central Illinois Traveling tournament at Lewistown and third in the CornBelt Conference. The varsity team advanced further in the postseason than last year's squad this year's team was led by a core group of 5 seniors who will be hard to replace next year.”

The other teams also did very well with JV going 9-14 and Freshmen going 12-11. These teams also had a very tough time with many injuries; they rarely had full rosters.

Junior Varsity coach Lisa Steve said, “I think that there was massive improvement The girls worked very hard to overcome injuries and girls moving and down. They had lots of balance and had a huge boost of energy in the second half of the season with 5 straight conference wins.”

Freshman coach Josh Klokkenga said, “ The freshman this year did awesome dealing with injuries, everybody was more than happy to play in spots they might not be as comfortable with, they did great rising to the occasion and never complained, at least to my face. They have great character and I see a bright future ahead of them. I can see a lot of them moving up to varsity next year and I am happy I got to see them all grow together this year.”

New Ultimate Frisbee Club Flies Into Oly

By OHS Torch Reporter, Cole Hammel

Early this week signs for a Ultimate Frisbee Club have begun to appear across the Olympia High School Campus drawing the interest from the student body.

Ultimate Frisbee is a sport that has not been offered to Olympia Students in the past. This year it will be offered as a club with the possibility of playing in the State Championships in June.

While Ultimate Frisbee is new to the school the students of Olympia have been playing Ultimate Frisbee for years.

Senior Nick Barclay said, “ I have been playing Ultimate for years. My youth group at church plays it all the time.”

Ultimate Frisbee is played with two teams both trying to score touchdowns. The game is played with one Frisbee and is thrown from teammate to teammate in an attempt to score. Once a player catches a Frisbee they can not move only pivot on a foot till they release the Frisbee.

The Olympia Frisbee club will be run by new guidance counselor Mr. Castillo who is a former Ultimate Frisbee player himself. Mr. Castillo played for Eastern Illinois Reapers and is also the president of the board.

Mr. Castillo said, “ I think the club will draw a lot of interest. Ultimate Frisbee is one of those sports that everyone can play at the same time I think that will draw a lot of people towards it.”

Ultimate Frisbee is a fun sport that all can play. With the season starting in the spring there is still plenty of time for students to sign up to play.

Key Club Offers Many Volunteer Projects

By Ashlyn Biddle, OHS Torch Reporter

   During this past week, OHS Key Club had their Key Club Week, by doing different service projects to impact people such as making treats for teachers and painted socks for local hospitals.

   The sponsor for Key Club, Mrs. Schroeder at OHS this year would like different students to take some different opportunities of volunteer work throughout the year. Some of the Key Club students did volunteer on different school days during their advisory this past week to gain more service hours.

   According to Bekah Bauersfeld, OHS Key Club President, said, “I’m glad that the Key Club students and I could serve this past week and possibly brighten someone's day.”

   One of the ways the Key Club students earned service hours this past week was by making some yummy treats for the OHS teachers and staff. Several of the OHS teachers said that it was a great idea to make treats for them because they can get hungry throughout the day while teaching.

   Another way the Key Club students gained some service hours was by painted different socks for the young patients at local hospitals. When the children receive the colorful, painted socks at the hospital, they might feel good.

   This Friday, the OHS Key Club group had a celebration meeting to end their week of serving. At the meeting, students got to enjoy some delicious desserts and snacks.

   There was also a special guest to talk to the group  at the Key Club meeting this past Friday. The special guest was a lady from the Hopedale Medical Complex. She had told the students in Key Club that there are many different volunteer opportunities at the Hopedale Medical Complex.

   Several students in Key Club said this past week was a great opportunity for volunteering. Also, it made an impact to other people around our area.

   

Cheer Squad Ready for Another Round

By Bo Bauer, OHS Torch reporter

        Cheerleaders may be sad about football being over, but they are ready to lift even more spirits up as they get ready with new cheers and stunts for basketball season.

        On Monday November 9th, tryouts for basketball start. That means football is officially over. Everyone’s switching gears and getting ready to watch basketball.

        Both captains Senior Lainey Whitaker and Sophomore Chloe Hilt can agree that the cheer squad is disappointed in football season ending. “The team is pretty sad.  Most of us don't know what to do on Friday nights now!” said Chloe Hilt.

Senior Gannon Springer said “ Football season was the best!”

        All the fans are disappointed that football season is over. Most of the fans said they are gonna miss the cheerleaders, but they don't need to worry. The cheerleaders are coming back for another round during basketball season.

Lainey is ready to bring the team together for her last time cheering for the OHS. The other seniors are all excited too. They are ready to cheer and pump up the crowd for the last time.

        “ Yes we are totally ready for basketball. There are cheers that we have for basketball that we have never used for football,” said Lainey.

        The cheer team has many routines and cheers they have been working on just for basketball. They are excited to show everyone what they can do.
       

APUSH Class Heads to Springfield

The Olympia High School AP US history class will be traveling to Springfield on December 8^th in on its order to gain a deeper understanding about presidential power and emancipation.

By Lainey Whitaker, OHS Torch Reporter

There are 19 students that will be attending this field trip with teacher Lon Abrams. This AP US History class will be going to Lincoln’s museum to take a tour and to learn more.

AP US history class is an all year class is offered by College Board as part of the advanced placement program. At the end of the year, these students will be taking an exam about all the history they have learned and will have the chance to earn a score one to five depending on how well they do.

According to Senior, Tj Peters, who had the chance to go with his APush class last year, said “It was super fun and I learned a whole bunch about our state and Abraham Lincoln. I am glad I got the chance to go.”

At the Lincoln museum APush students will get to tour the museum, there will be live performances. They will get the chance to go watch and observe the different dramatically present the stories of Abraham Lincoln, his times, and his legacy.

Sarah Marsiglio, current AP US history student, said that she is “very stoked and cannot wait to see what the Lincoln museum has to offer to our class.”

Two temporary exhibits at the museum will be open to students. The first is Lincoln: History to Hollywood which has key props and sets from the movie Lincoln that was just filmed and in theaters.  Another is Undying Words: Lincoln 1858-1865, ​​which looks at Lincoln’s powerful words and how they helped end slavery in America.

OHS AP US history students will get a brain full of knowledge of Lincoln’s life and how he impacted America.

 

 

 

Olympia Holds Veterans Day Assembly

By True Ledford, OHS Torch Reporter

Olympia High School and Middle School will be hosting a Veteran’s Day assembly in the high school gymnasium at 8:30 a.m. November 11 to honor our veterans and service men and women currently serving.

The assembly will be held this Tuesday in the OHS gymnasium. Olympia students, family, and friends will be attending. The guests of honor are Sarah Nannen, widow of Major Reid Nannen, and local veterans. 

            The combined OHS and OMS band and chorus will be performing at the ceremony. They will perform patriotic songs. A number of high school and middle school students will read essays they have written in honor of our veterans.

             This years theme is: Why do our  veterans sacrifice so much for us? Olympia is hosting this event in honor of our veterans and to show our appreciation for their sacrifices.

Soccer Wrap Up and Look to a New Season

By OHS Torch Reporter, Triston Ballinger

    Olympia’s boys soccer team’s IHSA season has come to an end, but for many of them the training continues well into the winter with hopes to have an even better season this upcoming year.

    The soccer team ended up finishing this year's season a little worse than anticipated, with a record of 6-8. Senior Tristan Davis said, “We had our ups and downs and I know we could have done better, but I had a fun senior experience.”

    The boys had high expectations coming into this years' season and started off strong, but toward the end of the season they lost a couple of close ones and going into regionals they lost to a tough team. Senior captain Blake Dehn said,” This year was a big step up for us every year we have been improving.”

    Losing 6 seniors that were all starters it will be tough for next year's team, but there is talent in the younger classes. There are a lot of incoming freshmen that will help.

    Junior captain Andres Alberts is a young returning leader that will be trying to take his team further than ever. Andres shows great leadership and skill he has the work ethic to take the team to the next level.

    The boys are going to be working hard this offseason; almost every returning player is participating in an indoor league in Morton. In the off season, they usually play around 15 extra games.

    Olympia’s Soccer team is a little smaller then other area teams but they match up well for there size. Junior Andres Alberts said “ Most of the teams we beat are bigger than us so I think compared to size we are pretty good.”

    We will all have to see if the trend continues to grow and the upcoming soccer teams continue to get better. Andres said, “ I think if we put in the work this offseason the sky's the limit for next season.”

Sharp Band Students Hope They Don’t Sound Flat

By Katie Bergeron, OHS Torch Reporter

This year at OHS five students were selected to be in the Bradley University Freshman/Sophomore Honor Band: Ethan Schopp, Marissa Horning, Michelle Dial, Kelsey Schrag, and Hannah Birkey.

The pieces being performed are Brick Street Encounter- Richard L. Saucedo, Alamo March- Karl L. King, Nevermore- Brian Balmages, and Adagio for Winds- Larry Daehn. The performance is Tuesday, November 17th.

Band director Kyle Brubaker said, “This is a great honor to have been selected. The students will get to work with other highly trained freshman and sophomores from all over central Illinois. They also get to work with Dr. Vroman who is Bradley’s band director. Our students will receive a very unique experience compared to what they have had before.”

The students were nominated by Mr. Brubaker. They filled out a form asking about musical experiences, awards, and whether or not they took private lessons. From there the students are selected by Dr. Vroman.

Freshman Ethan Schopp said, “I’m most looking forward to playing percussion with new people and making friends with percussionists from other schools. Also, of course, being with my friends from our school! I’m really excited for this new experience and to do something that I love.”

Most of the students have been playing an instrument since sixth grade. Horning is the only student of the five who has been playing longer.

Schopp said, “When I received the letter saying I made it, I was really excited. I can’t wait for November 17th.”

Playing an instrument has been proven to create a sense of achievement. For these kids they aren’t just creating a sense of achievement, they are living it.

OHS Faculty vs Senior Basketball Game Predicted to be a Blowout

By Logan Gill

On Friday November 20 will be Spartan night for all winter sports and it is known for the notorious Senior vs Faculty basketball game; seniors are predicting to dominate Spartan night.

The players on the Senior team are: Lucas Smith, Tristan Davis, Triston Ballinger, Cole Hammel, Alex Switzer, Cameron Litwiller, Scott Fontaine, and Bo Bauer.  The players on the faculty are: Mr. Klokkenga, Mr. Brigham,  Mrs. Steve, Mr. Frahm,  Mr. Neelan,  Mr. Stine, and possibly Trainer Josh.  

The past couple of years the faculty has always dominated but the seniors plan to change that.  The seniors predict its their time to dominate.  

Mr.Klokkenga said, “There is no need to prepare.  We have won over and over and we plan to keep doing it.”

The game announcer for Spartan night will be Mr.Hewitt.  He will introduce the varsity and jv basketball team  then the Faculty Senior game will be afterward.

Mr.Hewitt said, “I don't need to know who we are playing against.  It will be a bloodbath.”

The seniors have been training very hard. Coaching them is Lucas Smith.

All students should go support the seniors to help end the faculty’s winning streak.  

Grandparents Revisit High School At OHS Grandparents’ Day

 

By Shannon Morr, OHS Torch Reporter

 

On Friday, November 6, Olympia High School hosted its annual Grandparents’ Day celebration with over 60 grandparents in attendance, representing 48 students.

 

Grandparents began their day with coffee and doughnuts and then met with their grandchild. Next they attended a 2nd block class and participated in classroom activities. The special guests were served lunch in the cafeteria and, after advisory, they went to a presentation in the auditorium, including pictures of the day.

 

“Through this event, we get to show appreciation to individuals who have an important role in the students’ lives,” said Dean of Students Matt Hurley. “They enjoy getting the real feel of what school is like for their grandchild and experiencing how it is different from their own school experience.”

 

Senior Anna Adams said, “It was really fun to have my grandparents at school. I was excited all week for them to come. They are so funny and it was a great time.”

 

In advanced biology class, grandparents participated in a fun dissection with the students as they learned about different cuts to be made on their specimen.

 

Olympia High School has hosted Grandparents Day for over a decade and will continue the tradition in the future.

NHS Halloween Carnival a Huge Success

By Cameron Litwiller, OHS Torch Reporter

    The Olympia National Honor Society would like to thank everyone who attended the Halloween Carnival this past Saturday; it was a huge success and the kids had lots of fun.

    “ I was incredibly pleased by the community support and member participation. It was a great turnout and NHS students showed incredible creativity, imagination, and hard work,” said NHS Advisor, Mrs. Hapgood.

    The academic hallways were set up beautifully for the kids to go through. They featured actual Disney princesses, superheros/villians, and mad scientists.

    “ It was really fun just to get into costume and see all the little princesses walk through the hallway,” said NHS member, Sarah Marsiglio.

    “ My favorite part of the Superhero Hallway was the skit we did and getting to interact with the kids. The decorations were cool also,” said NHS President, Genna VanWye.

    The commons were used for games and activities the kids could do after they got done trick-or-treating through the hallways. The games featured face painting, cookie decorating, and other fun activities

“ All the games and activities were a success. I never saw a game go five minutes without a kid there,” said NHS member, Katie Bergeron.

The NHS would like to thank the following individuals for their generous donations,