PHS MEDIA NEWS

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