PHS MEDIA NEWS

From September 16 through 20, unfamiliar faces may be seen throughout the building of PHS.

12 to 15 police officers will be using Paoli High School’s weight room to conduct Defense Tactics training. Officers have used PHS’s facilities in the past and chose to use them again because of its central location in Orange County.

“I love the fact that they are here. They do so much for the community and our facilities allow them the necessary training they need to do their jobs effectively. Anytime police are present in our building the whole school benefits from it,” said Assistant Principal Ed Wagner.

Story by Makiya Russelburg

The American Red Cross will be hosting their annual Blood Drive at Paoli High School on Wednesday, October 2. It will be held in the lower gym from 8:30 a.m. to 2 p.m.

“We have a goal to collect 50 units of blood during the blood drive,” said Blood Drive Coordinator Danelle Manship.

In order to donate blood, you have to be at least 16 years of age and have parental consent or 18 years of age. Other eligibility requirements can be found at https://www.redcrossblood.org/donate-blood/how-to-donate/eligibility-requirements.html.

For more information or to book your appointment, contact Manship at manshipd@paoli.k12.in.us.

Story by Gracie Walls

On Wednesday, August 28, interviews were held for the Orange County Youth Council. Between all three schools in the county, 20 people applied: ten from Springs Valley, four from Orleans and six from Paoli. The acceptance letters were sent out on August 30, and those who applied should have received them September 3. 19 new members were selected and received information about the first meeting. Once accepted, the members are on a trial basis for the first four months to make sure that schedules correlate.

Story by Haley Owens

For the 2019-2020 school year, Paoli Jr. Sr. High school made some adjustments to the grading scale. In the last school year, students’ grades transferred from one nine weeks to the next. This year, first nine-weeks will count as 40%, second nine-weeks will count as 40%, and final grades will count as 20% of a student’s overall grade for a semester.

“Last year’s grading scale put you in a position where if you did not do well first semester, you did not have a lot of ways to bring that grade up second semester. We hope that this new grading scale will help students still have a chance and give them another shot to improve in this scenario. We also hope it will help them keep a higher grade average,” said Assistant Principal Ed Wagner.

Story by Gracie Walls

On September 7 at 7:00 p.m., the Fall Festival Queen and Princess Pageant will be held in the PHS Auditorium. Students in grades 7 and 8 will compete for princess, and students in grade 9, 10, 11 and 12 will compete for queen. Contestants will be judged in three different categories: interview, outfit of choice and evening gown. 

All pageant applications must be turned in to Sara Parks in the PHS Guidance Office by August 30. A 4×6 picture is required with your entry form. 

There will be a brief informational meeting for interested participants on August 23 at 7:45 a.m. in the PHS Auditorium. 

For more info or questions, contact Amber Blankenbaker (812-723-3537), Sara Parks (812-723-3905) or Jodi McGowen (812-653-5134).

Story by Makiya Russelburg

On Wednesday, August 29, the 2020 Financial Aid night will be held in the PHS cafeteria.

The night is for seniors who plan on attending college and will require financial help to do so. Representatives from multiple companies will be present at the meeting to talk about how they can provide financial aid.

“We’ll be discussing different financial aid options for seniors who plan on attending college,” said Guidance Counselor Brandi Kerley.

The meeting will be held at 6 p.m. and refreshments will be provided.

Story by Chandler Hinton

On Friday, August 16, students of Paoli High School were entertained by a fashion show presenting the new dress code policy at a pep session. Despite the light-hearted introduction, the administration hopes the students paid attention to the underlying rules. 

Assistant Principal Ed Wagner has dealt with numerous violations since the beginning of school and feels students should educate themselves on the new policy.

“It allows students to express themselves in some manner, but they should follow the guidelines and not try to push the limits,” said Wagner. 

A few of the changes include that shorts, skirts, and holes in ripped jeans can now hit mid-thigh and tank top straps should be 2 inches in width. If you have any questions about the dress code, refer to the student handbook or ask Wagner.

Story by Jozalyn Kempf

This year, PHS welcomes Ashley Stroud to the Special Education Department. She has been teaching for 12 years. In the past, Stroud taught at Salem, Lafayette and Indianapolis and worked with students of all grade levels in that department.

Even though this is her first year at Paoli, Stroud has already started a new project that all students can become involved in: The Caps Project. It is a community service project that is helping the First Chance Center. They collect caps to be melted into benches for adults with disabilities.

“The First Chance Center’s goal is to collect 200 pounds of caps which can be drink bottles, Gatorade, water, juice, milk, detergent, sour cream, cottage cheese, ice cream lids and medicine,” said Stroud. 

Stroud hopes that many students decide to become involved and donate a few caps. 

“Eventually, I would like to collect caps specifically for PHS and get benches made for the school,” said Stroud. 

If you would like to help with the project, Stroud will continue to collect caps all year. Caps can be turned in to any teacher in the building.

Story by Makiya Russelburg

The 2019-2020 Student Council elections will be held tomorrow, August 21, during homeroom. Sponsored by social studies teacher Neil Dittmer, Student Council is for any student interested in being involved for the school year.

“Students who are involved in Student Council will get to have a say in policy decisions, like the dress code. They get to help plan pep sessions, dress-up days, Homecoming and many other activities throughout the year,” said Dittmer. 

If you are wanting to be a member of this organization, you will be running against other members in your homeroom. One person from each homeroom will be selected by your classmates. You are required to say why you think you should be elected and what aspects you bring to make our school a better place. If you have been selected by your homeroom, and are in the club, you have different obligations you have to fulfill, including serving on committees.

“The committees include, Homecoming, which will plan and create the fall and winter Homecomings, Events which will plan student events, like dances, bonfires, macho man volleyball and many other things. Their is a spirit committee, which will help with pep sessions, spirit weeks, hall decorations and policy which will work with administration on policy decisions like the dress code, grade book, and any other requests from the administration,” said Dittmer. 

If you are not selected for Student Council, there are other routes you can take to get in the club. Dittmer will have at-large position applications available after elections are complete.

“If you want to be involved, help the school, create school spirit and make Paoli better, you should run for election tomorrow,” said Dittmer. 

Story by Corinne Magner

This past year, Sophomore Maggie Vincent created the Champions Together Club co-sponsored by guidance counselor Rachel Robinson.

The club promotes and encourages awareness, respect and inclusion of those without intellectual abilities. It is through the IHSAA and Special Olympics and must accomplish four tasks to become a “Banner School,” which is one that completes all four tasks by the end of the year. These tasks include: inclusive student leadership, one activity based around “whole school engagement,” participation in one “Unified Sports” activity and raise $1,500 for Special Olympics Indiana.

“I can’t wait to see the club grow and see students talking to others you would never thought would interact,” said Vincent.

Story by: Kinley Block

On May 17, the senior class will have the opportunity to travel to Kings Island in Mason, Ohio. The trip will cost $40, but students were able get a free ticket if they sold multiple boxes of chocolate during the senior fundraiser.

The students will be leaving around 6 a.m. and returning to the school around midnight that night. Students will need to bring money for any other things they want to buy on their own.

“The senior trip is a last hooray to be with your friends and do something as as class that you can enjoy,” said senior class sponsor Carol Fullington.

To attend the trip, students will need to sign up with senior class sponsor Melissa Higgin. Fullington and Higgins hope to see as many kids go as possible.

Story by: Madison Street

Tonight everyone is welcome to watch the final show of the year for the PHS choir. The variety show will begin at 6 p.m. in the auditorium and is free of charge.

The students, along with teacher B.J. Crowder, have been working on the show entitled “It’s a Total Mood” for five weeks. It incorporates different genres of music and will feature skits prepared by the choir members.

“We will be singing songs from musicals such as Phantom of The Opera, Dear Evan Hanson, The Greatest Showman, as well as several pop songs,” said Crowder.

They are displaying color in their concert in order to portray the feelings of their musical performances. The songs Crowder and the choir have chosen are also being used to tell a story. The choir has carefully selected the music in order to maintain the emotions they want the audience to feel.

It is the final show for seniors Tessa Robbins and Jillian Keen, and Crowder wants them to finish on a high note. He also wants to bring excitement to the remaining students in the junior high, beginning and advanced choir classes for future years.

“I hope we have a big turn-out,” said Crowder.

Story by: Masden Embry

A little encouragement can go a long way for students, and ISTEP is no exception. This is what English teacher Rachel Miller had in mind when creating The Testing Encouragement and Motivation Project (TEMP).

“The Testing Encouragement and Motivation Project (TEMP) is a way for teachers and administration to show their support for the students during ISTEP testing and to reward them for putting forth their best effort,” said Miller.

This two-part project included staff members writing personal, uplifting notes to boost students’ confidence and prompt them to do their best on the standardized tests. An incentive was also put in place, which was watching Aquaman in the auditorium with snacks and drinks.

After noticing that there wasn’t much support for students who were taking ISTEP, Miller decided to do something about it. She chose to restart the project she had previously done at Marion C. Moore High School, her previous school in Louisville, Kentucky. With a little help from Principal Chad Johnson and guidance counselor Brandi Kerley, Miller was able to put her plan into action.

“Students work very hard to prepare themselves for the ISTEP and it’s often not a very fun experience, so a little added levity can be encouraging,” said Miller.

Miller hoped that she would be able to motivate students, alongside other teachers and administrators, to look at ISTEP as something more than just another pointless exam, but as a preparation for the future.

“I want students to understand that although these tests may not be fun or seem relevant, they’re actually a good model for obstacles they will face in life,” said Miller.

Feedback from students showed they enjoyed the notes and rewards, and teachers saw that students were positively affected by them. Through this, Miller was able to see the ability staff had to help students. That only reaffirmed her plans to continue and expand this project in years to come.

Story by: Masden Embry

Today, FCCLA will be hosting a blood drive for the American Red Cross from 8:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. in the lower gym of PHS. Anyone 17 and older may donate blood without parental permission, but 16-year-olds must have parental permission before donating. A sign-up form has been sent out to emails.

Story by: Chandler Hinton