Volume 26, Issue 1 www.viennahighschool.com THE TALON Vienna, IL Vienna High School October 2020 Viennaby Macy Clark High School welcomes new teachers There are a lot of new faces in the classrooms at VHS this year. Ten new faculty and staff members came on board and are settling into their new roles. Due to the retirement of Ms. Joan Clayton, Ms. Stephani Borders was selected to serve as the new business instructor. She has experience in photography and is a business owner with sixteen years of experience. Ms. Brianna Brown and Ms. Elizabeth Johnson will be serving as program aides in the life skills classroom. Mr. John Windings was chosen to fill the band director spot. He has taught music for thirty five years. Ms. Iris Jones and Ms. VHS welcomes new teachers for this school year. Back row left to right: Joseph McMahan, Stephen Dreher, Wade Stewart, and Elizabeth Elizabeth Johnson are taking over Johnson First Row left to right: Stephani Borders, Brianna Brown, Iris Jones, Elizabeth Johnson, and Reagan Tanner Not pictured: John Windings. the office positions following the He will also be coaching our boys Mr. Joseph McMahan has been chosen to serve as the industrial retirement of Debbie Jones and the basketball team as well. chosen to join Theresa Stearns in arts instructor. He has been with resignation of Samantha Cornelius. Ms. Reagan Tanner has been the foreign language department. the Regional Office of Education Mr. Stephen Dreher will be chosen to serve as assistant school He has taught foreign languages where he served as a teacher serving in the social studies and nurse, following the retirement of for twenty five years. coordinating career programming physical education department. Ms. Janet Weston. Mr. Wade Stewart has been for students in Massac County. ByVHS Eliza Goines ends summer with a fun filled Friday On Friday, September 18, VHS aided Ms. Charlotte in handing out held a bash to commemorate the end ice cream, drinks and chips to all of summer. Students and teachers the students. dressed up to celebrate. Student Council and sponsor, Lots of students participated Ms. Palmer, decided to throw this in a dance party outdoors, which party to celebrate being back in followed social distancing school after five long months of guidelines. quarantining. Activities during the End of “I know the school was excited Summer Bash included a hula- to do this for the students and the hooping contest, costume contest students seemed to enjoy it so and dancing. Student Council much,” Ms. Palmer said. Summer bash dress up winners pictured left to right: Kyler Bracken, Emma Rush, Matty Kerley, Bri White, Annabeth Webb, Ellie Maxwell, Libby Thomas, Kali Browning, and Macie Whiting. Students competing in hula hoop contest. Students dancing at the summer bash outside of the highschool. Page 2 The Talon October 2020 Introducing 2020-2021 elected class officers By Madie Craig Freshmen Sophomore Freshmen Class Officers (L to R): Secretary Cameron Tregoning, Vice President Sophomore Class Officers (L to R): President Shelby Browning, Vice President Jonny Seals, and President Ella Holdener. Kelsey Hunsaker, and Secretary D.J. Haynes. Junior Senior Junior Class Officers (Top to Bottom): President Weston Henderson, Secretary Senior Class Officers (L to R): Secretary Sami Kerley,Vice President Micah Harris, Anyssia Schell, and Vice President Jessa Shoemaker. and President Heather Trambley. 2020-2021 Student Council chosen By Madie Craig Top Row L to R: Lane Ross, Harmony Womack, Cambell Douglas, Natalie Webb, Dawson Hill, Ayden Rademaker, and Owen Treat Bottom Row L to R: Jalyn Rademaker, Emme Vinson, Emme Treat, Annabeth Webb, Kaden Vaughn, Emma Rush, Avie Jones, and Shaelee Moore Not pictured: Kassidy Taylor and Trey Vaughn. October 2020 The Talon Page 3 ByCross Alexandria Knaak Country Team kicks off a new season The Vienna High School Cross Country Team had their first meet at Marion High School on Thursday, August 27th. Both VHS girls and boys teams placed first, kicking off the start to a great season. Senior Matthew Johnson and junior Katie King also placed first individually. Assistant coach, Mr. Peter Gresk, said “We’ve started out this season very strong. We have a full girls team again, we didn’t last year, and that’s been a huge boost for us competitively. We’re looking to go further than ever in the postseason this year.” The other meets this season have also gone really well. The teams have placed first in multiple meets and the students are doing great individually. The team is working hard preparing for their conference meet on October 15th, The Vienna High School Cross Country Team had their first meet at Marion High School on Thursday, August 27th.Top left to right: Christian Bullock, Caleb Johnson, Campbell Douglas,Charlie King, Colton Ethridge,Chase Meyers, Gabe Duncan, and Matthew hosted at Vienna’s very own bike Johnson. trail. Bass Fishing Team gets a win By Macy Clark The Bass Fishing Team traveled to Kinkaid Lake on August 9. VHS had three teams place in top five. Colin Stewart and Zac Faulkner took first place with a weight of 12.87 Ibs. Jeremy Faulkner was boat captain for the first place team. “I am hoping for a good season and it is looking good so far,” Colin said. Micah Harris and Cole Sampson placed fourth. Their boat captain was Brian Sampson. Landon Cain and Morgan Buchanan took fifth place. Their boat captain was Todd Buchanan. Senior Micah Harris said, “I’ve really enjoyed my experience so far, and thankful for all of the boat Bass fishing group who competed at Kinkaid lake pictured left to right: Landon Cain, Morgan Buchanan, Zac Faulkner, Colin captains volunterring their time. Stewart, Micah Harris, and Cole Sampson. Webb’s serving it up solo By Vonson Youzty Vienna High School to submit an individual qualifier Sophomore, Annabeth Webb, is to compete at sectionals. The currently competing in the Tennis Sectional Tennis Tournament will Sectionals. This gives her a chance be held in Herrin on October 16. to compete at the state tournament The top four single players and the in Chicago. top four double teams will advance Annabeth has so far been in to the state tournament in Chicago matches against Carmi, Fairfield, the following week. Thinking about and Herrin. She currently has the state tournament, Annabeth four wins and two losses this said, “I think if I keep working season. VHS coach, Mr. Brandon hard during practice and matches I McKinney, states that, “I think if can make it.” she gets a decent draw and plays to Annabeth stated about her her potential at sectionals, state is matches so far that, “I feel pretty not out of the question.” good, I just have to stay positive The Illinois High School whenever I play and I’ll do good.” Association allows high schools Annabeth’s next match is on that do not have a tennis team October 5th. Pictured is VHS Sophomore Annabeth Webb. Page 4 The Talon October 2020 Golf swings into a new season By Aubrey Anderson The Golf team has started their season off with a bang. The players have already improved throughout this season, some of which have received honors. Both junior Dawson Hill and senior Drew Mosier have received Medalist honors, while senior Trey Vaughn is close to achieving the same status. In the postseason, they are expected to improve even more. Freshman Isaac Smith has achieved Personal Best Honor as well. “We are working hard to reach our goals and are gearing up for the Black Diamond Conference Tourney and the Class 1A Regional postseason,” stated coach Marc Palmer. He’s hoping for a successful rest of the season. The Golf team started the new season off with improvement of the players. Left to right: Dawson Hill, Isaac Smith, Matt O’Neal, Drew Mosier, and Trey Vaughn. Student Council assists in census By Madison Harner On September 2nd, Dale Fowler presented Vienna High School student council members with a check for $750. Student council helped Fowler put up census signs around our neighboring towns such as Goreville, Buncombe, Cypress, and Tunnel Hill. Lane Ross said, “The census is used for funding things around our community such as schools, law enforcement, and anything else in need.” They are hoping to spend the money they received from Dave Fowler this year at St. Judes Children’s Hospital. However, there is a possibility that they might not be able to due to COVID-19. Student Council always enjoys traveling to Memphis to visit with the kids and spoil them with toys. Hopefully they will be able to use the money to go towards the On September 2nd, 2020, Dale Fowler donated $750 to Vienna High School for student council putting up signs and handing St. Judes Children’s Hospital trip out pamphlets in our neighboring towns. From left to right: Mr. Joshua Stafford, Mckenna Casey, Lane Ross, Mr. Dale Fowler, again this year! Harmony Womack, and Ms. Beth Palmer. “Supporting tomorrows future” October 2020 The Talon Page 5 Table Top takes over VHS by Lily Moore Last year Vienna High School abrupt closing of school caused introduced a new club, and this them to not be able to finish their year it’s coming back. Table Top club activities. is a club that allows students to Creator and member of the come together once a week to club, Caitlyn Scruggs, shared, “I play Dungeons and Dragons and made and joined the club because various other board games. I wanted to see a club at the school Sponsor of the club, Mr. Peter that was not academic or sport Gresk says, “The club will start oriented and that anyone can join.” meeting in November once Cross To get more information Country season is over.” about Table Top, see Mr.