Neoga WYSE Team Advances to State

By Mrs. Sally Cohorst

3/16/2012

Neoga’s WYSE team received third place in Division 300 at the sectional competition held on March 8^th at Eastern Illinois University. Central A & M won first place with a score of 474.4 points, followed by Cumberland with a score of 466.3 points. Neoga and Palestine tied for 3^rd place with a score of 464.4 points. All of these teams will advance to the state finals which will be held at the University of Illinois on April 2nd.

Individuals from Neoga who won awards are Travis Walk (1^st place in Math), Kelton Nichols (1^st place in engineering graphics), Seth Kline (tied for 2nd in computer science), Kyle Ludwig and Coutney Cornell (tied for 3^rd in engineering graphics), and Becca Warfel (3^rd in English). Others who competed and contributed to the team score were Jacob Alumbaugh, Amanda Baker, Michael Baker, Courtney Cornell, Bailey Dow, Ryan Evans, Joey Goldstein, Ethan Lawrence, and Tim Yurs. Mrs. Sally Cohorst is the coach of the team.

In Division 700, Monticello won first place, followed by St. Anthony in second, and Sullivan and Tolono Unity tied for 3^rd. Mahomet- Seymour won 1^st in Division 1500 followed by Champaign Central in 2^nd place. All of these schools will also advance to state competition.

WYSE (Worldwide Youth in Science and Engineering) contests are held annually to recognize the top students throughout Illinois in various subjects. Students are required to take two tests from the following subjects: biology, chemistry, computer science, engineering graphics, English, math, and physics. Neoga’s team for regional competition is selected based on teacher recommendation in each of these subjects. If the team advances to sectionals, student scores and subject scores from the regional competition determine which students are then selected to compete at the sectionals.

NHS Surprise Breakfast

By Mrs. Sally Cohorst

3/9/2012

Seth Kline, Michael Baker, Ryan Ott, and Dan Brown enjoyed the National Honor Society surprise breakfast which is held to inform the candidates of their selection. Initiates are Dan Brown, Seth Kline, Michael Baker, Kamryn Boarman, Bailey Dow, Ethan Lawrence, and Jesika Warner. Current members include Amanda Baker, Heather Baker, Hannah Fritcher, Erica Hotze, Ryan Ott, Sierra Struthers, Becky Walk, Mikaela Walk, and Becca Warfel. The ceremony to induct the new members will be held on March 13^th.

Pic caption (L-R): Seth Kline, Ryan Ott, Michael Baker, Dan Brown enjoy breakfast at Pagliacci’s in Mattoon.

NHS Variety Show

by Paige Osborn

3/2/2012

Coming up on March 16^th , 2012, is the much anticipated NHS annual variety show! The theme for this year’s production is “Occupy Variety Show,” a play off of the political movement “Occupy Wall Street.” This year you can expect to see many acoustic singing acts, bands, dance acts, skits, and videos. Senior Becky Walk reflected, “There is definitely a lot more pressure this year with Mr. McClure being gone. Everyone has been working really hard and I know this show is going to turn out really well.” Furthermore, band teacher Mr. Nick Schulze said, “I look forward to continuing the rich variety show tradition at Neoga.” From the looks of it, he is going to do just that. The crew has been hard at working setting up the stage and clearing the set from last fall’s musical. The hard work of the crew combined with the practice and dedication of all the acts in this year’s Variety Show, ensures that this year will be nothing short of amazing. When asked about how he thought the show would go, Mr. Schulze replied, “It’s going to go awesomely because the kids have been helping out and getting things going.” The Variety Show will begin promptly at 7:30 in the North Gym at Neoga High School. Hope to see you there!

FFA Week

By Jessie Taylor

3/2/2012

On Tuesday February 21, 2012, Neoga Sr. High's FFA week commenced. The purpose of FFA week is to inform the community about the great importance of agriculture and how dedicated these FFA members are in the act of helping our community. During this particular week, each day means something different. On Tuesday, the members of the FFA wore their new club t-shirts. Wednesday was green-hand day, meaning that every new member would have to dye their hands green for the day. Thursday was official dress day; black pants, black shoes, white blouse/shirt, a tie, and the most important accessory your FFA jacket. Friday was the barbeque. Bob Peadro, from the new Windsor Grocery Store supported FFA week by giving the club a great deal on the meat and buns supplied at the barbeque. Also, Tony Bell and her sister Patty assisted in the cooking for the barbeque. The participants during this week include the FFA members that have paid their dues in the beginning of the year. Mrs. Perkins, the new Ag teacher at Neoga Sr. High, plays a substantial role in planning FFA week for her club members. Additionally, the team from the 95.7 radio station assists the officers in advertising FFA week. The Neoga FFA members also, took a trip to Louisville, Kentucky to see the Farm Machinery Show. There are multiple exhibitors that set up different booths to display the modern technology in agriculture. On this trip, there were twenty-three FFA members, four chaperones, and Neoga's FFA advisor Mrs. Perkins. FFA member Jesika Warner reflected, "It is great to see all the new advancements in agriculture and to know that so many people support our local FFA chapter. As a whole, our FFA chapter would like to help our community know more about what is going on and we thank all of you for supporting us."

Caption: FFA members dye their hands for “Green Hand Day.”

Front L-R: Dalton Gebhardt, Shay Ashworth, Amber Potter, Trenton Sheehan

Back L-R: Katie Bell, Shelby Hoene, Sarah Brown, Brandi Herring, Preston Potter, Krystal Steele

March for Life

By Jessie Taylor

2/16/2012

In October 1973, Pro-Life supporters became worried that January 22, 1974 would fly by without adequately memorializing the Supreme Court's hotly-contested Roe vs. Wade decision regarding abortion. Therefore, the first “March for Life” was held on the West Steps of the Capitol on January 22, 1974. The crowd was estimated to contain 20,000 committed protestors. This non-profit, non-partisan, and non-sectarian organization has now grown into annual event with the agenda of spreading a Pro-Life message. The “March for Life” website noted that 2012 has had the most successful turn out in the event’s history. Thousands of spirited people from all over the world came to join this immensely powerful political movement. A few of Neoga's own residents even joined the march. Ellie Walk, Allie Keck, Heather Baker, Mikaela Walk, Becky Walk, Megan Moran, and Katie Bell were all in attendance this year. NHS Senior Becky Walk stated, "It was really cool to see everyone from all over the country come together to support one cause." Furthermore, the organization has an anniversary march planned for Friday, January 25, 2013.

Pic 1 caption: NHS students participate in the annual “March for Life”

(L-R): Mikaela Walk, Beck Walk, Heather Baker, and Allie Keck

Pic 2 caption: The crowd overcomes inclement weather during the event.

Christmas Service Project

Neoga students Taylor Gresens and Erica Hotze work on a Christmas service project for National Honor Society and Math Club.