Mrs. Higgins 4th period AP bio students recently performed a lab that tests the amount of gas a yeast mixture produces. They were asked to put hydrogen peroxide and yeast in a test tube and found out how much of the oxygen was in the mixture produced.
Photos by Laykin Busick
Senior Artist Dusts off Ceramics Wheel
Senior Taylor Becht is the only student enrolled in the AP Ceramics and Sculpture class for the semester.
For the first time, Becht has had the opportunity to use the pottery wheel – a skill taught only in this course. In order to be in this class, one must first take ceramics where students sculpt only with their hands.
Past Projects
The wheel enables Becht to create a symmetric, round piece of art, though she admits it is not an easy tool to use.
“Throwing clay on a wheel is an extremely hard talent to learn,” said Becht.
So far, Becht has made several different types of pieces, the variety of pottery teaching her different techniques. She has plans for more intricate, complicated works moving forward.
“So far I’ve made mugs, pots, watering pots, teapots and a variety of shaped water containers,” said Becht.
The Future
In the future, she plans to take pottery and woodworking classes when she goes to college.
“When I go to college this will be fantastic to know. It will really put me a step ahead of my other peers,” said Becht.
Becht is ready to see what these next weeks have in store for her as she continues to use the wheel.
“Throwing clay on a wheel is an extremely hard talent to learn. Most people at our school who have done it are football players because you need the strength to form the clay and keep it centered. It really has been a great experience,” said Becht.
Story by Corrine Magner
Tennis
After six wins and eight loses, only three matches are left in the season. Junior Isaac McBride has been a key player for the singles part of the team, and juniors Lucus Stroud and Treyvin Street have had a strong doubles season. The team’s best match was against Salem on August 17.
“They are a team that beat us last year and lost no starters. We were able to jump over that hurdle and beat them this year and set the tone for some good early season wins because of that confidence I believe,” said Head Coach Matt Wolfe.
Although the junior high tennis team has had multiple games cancelled, they still hold a winning record of 4-1.
Golf
As of September 18, the girls golf team ended their season with sectionals at Otis Park. Their best match was on August 17 at the Valley Links, where they scored 220 points as a team.
Some players that stood out this year are junior Serenity Sweet, averaging 56 per meet, and senior Hayley Taylor, averaging 59 per meet.
“We had five players this year with two of them being freshmen and I knew we would struggle some. We started the season pretty well and I could see improvement from everyone. However, as we finished the last several matches, including the sectional, we actually began to shoot poorer as a team. I think we kind of wore down physically and mentally,” said Coach Brad Bledsoe.
Football
As of September 21, the varsity football team has a record of 2-1, and JV’s record is 1-1.
“We have had a lot of guys who have stepped up on offense and defense. Too many to count our best ones,” said Head Coach Neil Dittmer.
Some players who have stood out this season for JV are freshman Johnny Shellenberger and Ian Drake. One of the best games they have played was on September 17 against West Washington.
“We have never had to question effort, they always put forth good effort,” said JV Head Coach Brian Wilson.
The eighth grade football team has a record of 2-0, and seventh grade’s record is 2-1.
“We had initial setbacks due to [COVID19], but as we have returned the team’s effort has been more focused on winning the games that we get to play. There are always things to fix, but our athletes show up everyday looking to improve,” said Head Coach J.D. Emerick.
Volleyball
As of September 21, the Varsity volleyball team has a record of 7-4, and the JV’s record is 7-3. Some players who have stood out this season for junior varsity are sophomores Gracie Brown and Stella Windhorst, who have both stepped up this season, not only with skill but with attitude as well.
“We’ve improved from last season, and we are working more as a team this year than last year. This has made games and our season overall more enjoyable as a player,” said senior Emma McCrary.
As of September 21, the eighth grade volleyball team has a record of 1-4, and seventh grade’s record is 0-5. Some players who have stood out this season for the eighth grade team are setter Maddie Vernon and middle hitter Charli Chastain, and for the seventh grade team are setter Marci Carter and middle hitter Allie Kumpf. One of the best games they have played was on September 16 against Northeast Dubois.
“The junior high volleyball program is coming along as expected. It’s been a tough season for the seventh graders due to missing the entire last season due to Covid. However, I have seen great improvement from many players,” said seventh grade Coach Jennifer Coleman.
Cross Country
With the season coming close to an end, the XC teams have been doing really well. Their best meet was the county meet at Orleans, where senior Hannah Albertson placed first. Sophomore Luke Oldham, and juniors Cailyn Baechle, Abby Bruner, and Jacob Workman have been working hard throughout the season.
“The girls are doing really well this season.Hannah and Cailyn put in a lot of miles over the summer and their preseason work is paying off,” said Coach Summer Hudleson.
As for JH XC, star runners this year include seventh grader Zaden Taylo and sixth grader Jordan Albertson, and seventh grader Addy Moffatt and fifth grader Aubrey Burris.
“Each kid is dedicated and has made improvements. They all should be very
proud of what they have accomplished individually and as a team,” said Coach Missy Bostock.
Created by Carley Higgins, Gracie Walls, and Peyton Baker.
Students Participate in Groundbreaking Event for House
On September 7, the construction students took part in the ground breaking ceremony for a new construction project on E. Water Street in Paoli.
The construction classes working on the project include students in Intro to construction, construction tech 1 and construction tech 2.
This will be the construction trades program’s 15th housing project in Paoli. The homes being built for this project will benefit the community with quality housing at more affordable prices.
“We are incorporating a lot of advanced building techniques to make the home very energy efficient, storm resistant, and more affordable for the future homeowners,” said Building and Trades teacher Jon Shellenberger.
Junior Chris Nunez is in his third year in the program.
“I chose this class because I feel like this is the right thing for me and I’m really excited about getting this house done because watching it all come together is pretty neat,” said Nunez.
According to a press release, “The Paoli Housing Task Force strives to build and renovate 25 homes by 2025 through partnerships with community organizations, developers and builders, financial institutions and local, state and federal programs.”
During the groundbreaking ceremony, numerous representatives from the Orange County Economic Development Partnership, the Orange County Community Foundation and the Indiana University Center for Rural Engagement were also in attendance.
“One person can make a difference, but together we can make an impact. That is what we are doing today,” said Imojean Dedrick, Executive Director of the Orange County Community Foundation said in a press release.
In addition to working on the local home, the students are currently working on other projects for the school.
“We are also working on different projects in the shop at school such as building a 15 foot shuffleboard table made out of a piece of the old PHS gym floor,” said Shellenberger. “There will be many more projects that we’ll build throughout the school year but these are several that we’re currently working on.”
Story by Jeremiah Hutcheson
PHS News Today 
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