DELIVER TO BOXHOLDER PRSRT. STD. U.S. POSTAGE PAID ALEXIS, IL 61412 STORM PERMIT NO. 9 THE United High School Newspaper Volume 5, Issue 6 TRACKER IN THIS ISSUE: Ashley’s story stuns UHS United board notes p. 2 By Jillian Rundle Trying to rush to his house, As students, faculty, and par- Andrew reached a speed of Academic teams rule p. 3 ents filled the high school gym nearly 100 miles per hour before for an all school assembly on striking two trees, killing all UHS honor rolls p. 4 February 20, who knew that they three teenagers. would walk out of that gym with The last thought that comes an impacting, yet heart-breaking to parents’ minds is planning on Elementary menus p. 5 story. their child dying before them- As a part of the STORM selves, leaving Cathy and Randy HS calendar & menu p. 6 ALERT team’s activities, the even more in shock. group decided to invite Cathy Ashley left a lasting impact on more than 2,000 Pekin residents Family to send third to who visited Ashley and family U.S. military p. 7 for the last time at the visitation and funeral, as well as thousand of other students who now hear LTC decisions made p. 8 Randy Waddell views a picture of his daughter Ashley, killed with this tragic story. two other Pekin High School teens in 2005 in this vehicle. Wad- In addition to Ashley’s par- STORM ALERTS dell and his wife spoke to United High School students on Febru- ents’ remarks, her best friend, ary 20 about making smart decisions when behind the wheel of Jami Halvorson, also shared her an automobile. United Pre-K screenings memories of Ashley and what it and Randy Waddell to share the so she thought. was like at school without her. United pre-kindergarten screenings for the 2009-2010 story of their daughter Ashley’s Coming home from school, “The drama, the fights--it school year will be held this 2005 death. she planned to watch her favorite all stopped. Enemies became month. When they spoke to the United television show, One Tree Hill, friends. Everyone realized you If your child will be 3 years students, they shared the impact with a couple of friends. They never know the last moment you United junior Kaitlyn Winkler Ashley left in peoples’ hearts, the planned to watch it at Ashley’s will see that person,” she said. old by September 1, 2009, please was but one of many whose consider having them screened night they found out about the house, not knowing that her TV Following the more than 90- emotions were on display after accident, and the aftermath of her wouldn’t tune in the channel she minute presentation, students for our pre-kindergarten pro- hearing the story of Ashley gram, which is available at both death. needed. were allowed to view the car Waddell’s death. Ashley, a varsity swimmer as a They decided to go to An- Ashley was in at the time of the the West and North campuses. Photo reprinted with permis- At the West Campus, screen- Pekin High School sophomore, drew’s house to watch the show, accident. sion of Kent Kriegshawser, had everything going for her, or expecting to arrive back home by With no alcohol or drugs ings will be conducted on Mon- Gatehouse News Service. day, March 9, from 8:30-11:30 9:15 p.m. involved, it was easy to see the a.m. Unfortunately, 9:30 rolled damage such an impact could Please call the West Elemen- White praises change in law around and Ashley had not ar- have on the vehicle’s passengers. tary at 734-8513 to schedule an rived home yet. Cathy Waddell Officially, Ashley died of acute By Jesse White nation. The praise was all well appointment called houses to find out where head trauma, the result of the The issue of teen driving safety and good. But results are what For the North Campus screen- her daugter was but no one violent impact of the speeding is and has been very important really matter. ings are scheduled for Wednes- knew. car hitting a stationary object. to me. In 2005 and 2006, it That is why I am pleased to an- day, March 18, from 1:00-7:00 Scared about what might have Cathy and Randy Waddell left seemed that just about every time nounce that teen driving fatalities p.m. happened, Randy set out to find United students with the mes- I opened a newspaper or turned in Illinois dropped by over 40 Please call the district office at Ashley, traveling the normal way sage, “ Guard your choices, on the news, there were stories percent in the first full year of our 482-3344 to schedule an appoint- to Andrew’s house, later finding some don’t come with second about teenagers killed in auto- state’s GDL law. In 2007, 155 ment out the three teenagers never chances.” mobile crashes. It was happen- teens age 16-19 were killed in made it. ing too frequently, and I knew automobile crashes. In 2008, 92 Student Council news something needed to be done. teens died in crashes. By Bethany Fredrickson That’s why in the summer of The fact that 63 fewer teens President’s Day afford a timely With the numerous activities 2006 I initiated the Teen Driver died in automobile crashes in the United Student Council has Safety Task Force. We knew we our state last year is worthy of trip for United’s exchange student participated in, the Valentines had our work cut out for us. We celebration. By Bast Chaikhunsombat Day candy bags was the most knew that automobile crashes While we can and should recent. For such a short month, a lot were the leading cause of death celebrate that this law is working has happened in February, both That event consisted of making for teens. We also knew that as we intended--the goal all along candy bag, which were sold for a good and bad. national studies showed that a was to save lives--I believe we I ate at Buffalo Wild dollar each. strong graduated driver licensing still have work to do. This was just a small fundrais- Wings in Galesburg with fellow (GDL) program could work to Now law is perfect. As such, students Matthew Frakes, Jillian er that helps fund nesxt year’s reduce teen fatal crashes. my office will continue to work homecoming. After buying the Rundle, Lyndsey Fridrickson and As a result of the Task Force’s with state and national traffic Matt Grubb. The food was very candy to fill the bags, the student work, my office initiated and safety organizations to consider council recieved a $70 profit, good. the General Assembly passed ways we can improve upon Il- I received a call from my after selling 140 bags of candy. groundbreaking legislation that linois’ GDL program. On March 5, the student mother and we talked for an took effect Jan. 1, 2008, giving My office will also continue to hour. It was the first time we had council will be going to the teens more time to obtain valu- partner with high schools, driver Milan Community Center for talked in a month and we spent a able driving experience while education instructors, and parents was fairly upper-class for that the district convention. Council lot of time discussing problems under the watchful eye of a par- to improve upon the way we period, members will participate in a we were having getting ship- ent or guardian, limiting in-car prepare our teens for a lifetime of We also visited the new Lin- variety of leadership training ments through customs. distractions, and requiring teens safe and responsible driving. coln Museum, which depicts activities. On President’s Day, I took a to earn their way from one stage The goal is always the same: Lincoln’s life from his childhood Elections to choose the 2009- trip to Springfield with the Feld- to the next by avoiding traffic to make Illinois roads safer and through his Presidency. 2010 executive officers will be man family and other exchange convictions. save more lives. The trip was very enjoyable as held in early March, with the student groups. State and national traffic safety I have a great interest in learning new officers slated to attend the We toured many places includ- organizations praised Illinois’ Jesse White is Illinois Secretary ing Lincoln’s tomb, his Spring- about American history. state convention in Chicago in GDL law as one of the best in the of State May. field home, which we learned STORM TRACKER United applies for economy stimulus funds 1905 100th Street Monmouth, IL 61462 By Anton Kozelichki on the Lincoln Trail Conference. “Monmouth College has made board of an application that he 309-734-9411 On Thursday Februrary 12, The LTC will be pulling out of it more difficult for our students sent to Congressman Phil Hare’s The Storm Tracker is published the United school district held the West Prairie Trail football to take advantage of our dual office, Senator John Sullivan’s monthly by the journalism students of its monthly board meeting with conference. The LTC has sent credit,” said Whitsitt. “If other office, Representative Rich My- United High School, is printed through resignations, maternity, and the out invitations to the Midland, institutions follow suit, it will ers’ office, and Representative the facilities of The Register-Mail, and Lincoln Trail Conference on the West Prairie, Sherrard, and Orion clearly impact how our kids Don Moffitt’s office.