As the school year winds down and summer begins, student athletes at Urbana High School are gearing up for the fall sports season. “The Echo” has assembled everything you need to know about tryouts and how to prepare for each of the seven sports.

*To be eligible for all sports, student athletes MUST register for the fall sports season and pay the fifty-dollar athletic fee to be eligible at tryouts by AUGUST 21, 2010 in the Main Office. A current physical must also be presented in addition to signing an Athletic Participation Form and confirming the student has valid health insurance. Don’t wait until the last minute, and be sure to make sure you have all necessary information filed for eligibility.

1. Football

Players: Male and Female

Tryout Date: August 11, 2010

Summer Opportunities: It is suggested that players attend the strength and conditioning sessions that will run from June 7, 2010 from 4-6 p.m. and finish on July 29, 2010 in addition to the contact practices that begin on June 14, 2010 from 8-10 a.m. and end on July 29, 2010. Other summer options include seven-on-seven games at Rantoul High School every Wednesday in July and various football camps are offered by colleges in the area for players to improve their skills.

Coach Contact Information: nwatson@usd116.org

“The main difference between this year’s season and last’s is this summer we will offer two sessions of training a day to allow maximum time on the field and on the track and in the weight room,” Head Coach Nathan Watson said.

2. Soccer

Players: Boys

Tryout Date: August 11, 2010

Summer Opportunities: Starting June 15, 2010, practices will be held every Tuesday through Thursday from 6:30-8:30 p.m. until July 22, 2010 for aspiring players.

Coach Contact information: rblackman@usd116.org

“Players should be at tryouts on time and ready to get in shape…Most of all, show up and be ready to try hard,” Head Soccer Coach Randy Blackman said.

3. Tennis

Players: Girls

Tryout Date: August 11, 2010

Summer Opportunities: Players are expected to play during the summer, whether through the Atkin’s Tennis Center, the Urbana Park District, or private lessons. Hitting with a friend or teammate is also suggested. Girls should additionally train so they are able to run a mile in under ten minutes.

Coach Contact Information: mwelch@usd116.org

“I expect the girls to know how to keep score and be able to run the mile in under ten minutes at tryouts,” Head Tennis Coach Melissa Welch said.

4. Cross Country

Players: Boys and Girls

Tryout Date: August 11, 2010

Summer Opportunities: Workouts for Cross Country will occur every Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday from 6-8 a.m. starting June 15, 2010 and ending July 30, 2010.

Coach Contact Information: rhunt@usd116.org

“Be ready to work hard and give one hundred percent at Cross Country,” Head Cross Country Coach Renee Hunt said.

5. Golf

Players: Boys and Girls

Try Out Dates: August 11 and 12, 2010

Summer Opportunities: Players should practice over the summer by playing rounds of golf and improving their general skills and knowledge of the game.

Coach Contact Information: cmmcfarl@yahoo.com

“I expect players to have a thorough grasp of the game of golf and its rules and to be very coachable,” Head Golf Coach Chad McFarland said.

6. Swimming

Players: Girls

Tryout Date: August 11, 2010

Summer Opportunities: Practice every Tuesday and Thursday from June until the end of July; time to be announced later.

Coach Contact Information: StephHouk@davis-houk.com

7. Volleyball

Players: Girls

Tryout Date: August 11, 2010

Summer Opportunities: To Be Announced

Coach Contact Information: aschweighart4887@gmail.com

Memorial day is of course May 31, and people should know that it’s more than just a day off from school (although, I’ll admit, I like having the day off). It’s a day to remember those who have served for our country. I decided to do some research on the day… There are a lot of claims for the start of Memorial Day, but the most common one is that lots of towns took time to honor dead soldiers back in the 1860’s, and all of these gatherings led to General John Logan’s official proclamation of the day back on May 5, 1868.

The first Memorial Day was observed May 30, when flowers were laid at the graves of Union and Confederate Soldiers at Arlington Cemetery of that same year. The first state to officially recognize the day was New York in 1873. By the 1890’s, all of the Northern states had officially recognized Memorial Day, but the Southern States refused to do so. They recognized their dead on separate days until after World War 1 (then everyone started not just honoring soldiers who died in the Civil War, to soldiers who died in any war) it became a National holiday (celebrated by all states on the last Monday in May) with the National Holiday Act of 1971.

“I like to remember my dad,” Sophomore Derrick Johnson said, on who he likes to remember on Memorial Day. “He served in the military but didn’t get in the war, he just stayed in South Korea.”

“My great grandfather fought in World War II,” Freshman Karidia Shelby said.

My dad loves to tell me about my grandfather. He served during World War II, and also fought in Pearl Harbor when it was attacked. So I feel very proud of him and something to hold on to.

So is it really that important?

“It gives us time to celebrate people in the military (serving our country),” Johnson said. “I feel that it is important because so much has changed (over the years), in good ways and if it wasn’t for those people who knows what it could be like so taking a day out to remember them is the least we can do.”

I agree. Soldiers have and still are giving their lives for this country. Without them, I guarantee you there is no U.S. There is probably no place for immigrants to go to get away from their hostile countries (if they come from hostile countries, anyway). We as citizens would not be protected, and not have as good a life as we have now.

So please take at least some of Memorial Day to honor those that have given their lives for our country, and are still serving our country.

Student Senate elections were held on May 18, 2010 to elect officials for the 2010-2011 school year. To run for office, students had to gain approval from their class sponsors and teachers via a rating system between 1-5 (bad to excellent) that judged their attendance, respect, academic achievements, etc. to make sure they were qualified.

“Being in Senate is fun but hectic for students” Student Senate Advisor Yvonne Alvarez-Cortes said. “Senators must have organizational skills, leadership qualities, and should be willing to make Senate a priority when it comes to extra-curriculars.”

Election results were announced on May 27, 2010. Elected officers for next year’s Student Senate are:

Student Senate:

President: McKenzie Kirby
Co-Vice President: Maya Patterson
Co-Vice President: Lexi Johnson

Seniors:

Class President: Mandy Facer
Class Vice President: Will Elect NEXT Year
Representative: Amanda Jacobs
Representative: Kori McGraw
Representative: Chris Harrington
Did Not Attend Urbana School: Danielle Fontaine
Thomas Paine: Shelby Armstrong
Leal: Tiffany Walker
Yankee Ridge: Korrine Spears
Wiley: Chris Harrington

Juniors:

Class President: Jessa Johnson
Class Vice President: Tess Allen
Class Press Secretary: Meredith Headtke
Representative: Melinda Mendoza
Thomas Paine: Lexi Johnson
Prairie: Meredith Headtke
Yankee Ridge: Tess Allen
Wiley: Anwen Parrot
Didn’t Attend Urbana School: Piper Harvey

Sophomores:

Class President: Cate Hummel
Class Vice President: Mary Donahue
Class Press Secretary: Will Elect NEXT Year
Representative: Myles Kelley
Representative: Shaniqua Durgan
Representative: Kayla Estes
Thomas Paine: Jordan Patterson
Yankee Ridge: Ellen Beverly
Wiley: Sophia Ruiz-Gehrt
Didn’t Attend Urbana School: Sylvia Haas

Next year’s Student Senate ventures include summer car washes, the annual Thanksgiving Dinner, the Beef-House Rolls fundraiser, Tail-Great, Harmony Week, the Student Vs. Staff Basketball Game, and annual Talent Show.

Mr. Greg Johnson, who is our Associate Principal, is leaving to take the new principal
position at Centennial High School. Johnson has been working at Urbana High School since 1997.

Johnson was an English teacher for nine years at Urbana and also coached the girls and boys cross-country team during that time, excluding the first year he taught. He quit coaching after he got the assistant principal job.

Johnson is going to replace Justin Moore, who was Centennial’s former principal and resigned in December. He will start his job as principal on July 1. “It‘s a huge challenge to go over there and take a new job, but I look foreword tackling the challenge,” said Greg Johnson

Ms. Danielle Cook will move into Johnson’s old office. Mr. Travis Courson is going to take over as assistant principal. Ms. Angelica Franklin is going to be that new dean of students with last names of A through G.

Johnson is a University of Illinois alum. Johnson earned his bachelor’s degree in secondary education and a master’s degree in educational administration. Currently Mr. Johnson is working on his Ph.D. in educational administration from the U of I.

“I am going to miss the people of course, I have had made some really great friends, and the kids I am going to miss seeing their faces in the halls,” said Johnson.

Christine Cox may not have always wanted to be a teacher, but that has no influence over the number of students she has educated in the 32 years she has worked at Urbana High School. Cox will retire this year, making the class of 2013 the last to have the speech and English teacher.

Cox studied to become a nurse before becoming a teacher. “I thought I’d like to be a nurse,” she says. “I started nursing school and I just  didn’t have the stomach for it.”
So career-wise, it was back to the drawing board for Cox. She considered what she might like to do and a speech teacher she had in high school came to mind. “I thought ‘I would love to do that.’”

She began her work by student teaching ninth grade at Jefferson Middle School. Cox then was a substitute teacher at UHS, where she was offered a job.
Thirty-two years after that job offer, Cox continues to teach speech and composition 9 at Urbana. “I love teaching AP prep freshman and I love teaching speech,” she says.
Speech is the subject Cox originally thought about when she decided to become a teacher and is still one she enjoys. “Speech brings together a large group of students from different backgrounds to discuss issue and listen to each other,” says Cox.

Over the years fashions, politics and music may have changed, but Cox says that her students are similar to the way they were in past years. “They’re still teenagers,” she says. “I think everybody wants to pin all of the world’s troubles on them, but that’s not the truth.”

For many high school students out there, there are numerous ways to spend the summer months. While the obvious choice would be to go on a splendid vacation, taking summer school will probably be a wiser choice in terms of your future. Summer typically marks the beginning of a welcome break from high school. Instead of using that break to work on your video game skills and get a killer tan, why not use the summertime to beef up your school grades in time for college?

“The purpose of summer school is basically to either give students a head start, or an opportunity to catch up – whichever applies,” says Assistant Principal Danielle Cook.

Summer school is definitely a productive way to spend your summer. Regardless of whether you want to catch up, stay on track or get ahead, your summer break is a prime time to dedicate toward setting yourself apart from the rest of the college applicant pool. Summer school is not only for people who need to catch up on credits, it provides students the opportunity to take prep courses or prerequisite courses that prepare them for the next school year.

“First, it keeps students in the educational frame of mind,  it also gives incoming freshmen a taste of what the high school is like,” says Cook.  “It allows students who are behind on credits the opportunity to earn back one.”

One of the functions of summer school is to earn a second chance to improve a grade in a class that may not be their desired grade.

“I think the purpose of summer school is to get you ahead in credits so that you have space for other classes during the school year,” says Sophomore Samantha Mwenda. “It also helps the people who need to catch up on credits.” Unfortunately, not all courses are available on the summer school programs.

However, sometimes summer school creates second thoughts to different high school students. Why in the world would anyone take summer classes when they could be relaxing at home, spending time with friends, or earning some cash? Here are some of the reasons why going to summer school is worth the use of your time.

Not only will students expand their knowledge and exhibit initiative, but they also get to work on their academic learning and get ahead if they want to. This provides reassurance to a college admissions office that a student is serious about focusing on their school goals. And, of course, summer school provides an opportunity to retake an important class (like math or English) to fix a poor grade. An improved grade could increase a student’s GPA and give them that extra edge to get noticed by college admissions.

Graduating early is one of the benefits of summer school also. If a student dedicates a month or two of their summer break to classes, the course loads will be easier compared to a school year’s work loads.

“You have something to do in the summer that would help you in the school year. Summer School work is also less stressful than if you were to take the class in the school year,” says Mwenda.

More room in a student’s schedule would also be open to take other electives. A student could even graduate ahead of time if they take enough classes during summer break to put them ahead of schedule.

Zero responsibilities during the summer; how lovely. But the first week back is always rough. Getting back in the swing of things, including waking up early, turning in things on time, and cramming for exams are a few of the downsides. If a student doesn’t ever let themselves slip out of the habits required to succeed in school, they won’t have to go through the pain of readjusting.

Summer school enhances knowledge. Let’s admit it, high school students forget things when you aren’t studying them for an entire summer. Taking a class over the summer will keep them in the practice and help them remember things they have already learned.

“You get quick help from the teacher if needed because there aren’t that many students in the class,” says Mwenda. “The classes aren’t like regular noisy classrooms, so its easier to get work done.”

With summer school, multiple courses can be taken. Students can truly apply themselves , dive into a subject, and maybe even discover an interest they never knew they had. Hop right into action this summer, and reap the benefits of summer school!

For anyone who is interested on taking summer school this year, please visit the UHS website: http://www.usd116.org/uhs/.

The search for places to chill is in full swing for many people out there. It’s almost summer and people are wondering where they should go to enjoy sunshine but at the same time not feel burned out by it. Some want to spent their time in different activities such as picnics, swimming, and mountain climbing. Some just want to stay at home. But did you know that there are many places for you to cool off during the summer months? Before you go looking for fun places that might require you to travel several miles away from your town, there are some great summer hot spots locally that you might have missed. Here are some places you might want to add to your summer hot spots itinerary:

1. Mall/Shopping Outlets: Although going in these kind of places might tempt different people to splurge and spend too much on unnecessary things, the mall doesn’t always have to be the place you call your ’guilty pleasure’. The mall can be a place where you can hang out with your best buds and just chill. Chances are, you might encounter people from your school and this would give you a chance to reunite with them. “One of the places I usually hang out during the summer is definitely the mall,” says UHS student Lisa Kandil. “I can hang out with my friends while catching up what is on style, which is really amazing.”

2. Library/Bookstores: So, if you are fascinated by books, or you’re just a plain bookworm, then libraries or bookstores might be really ideal for a person like you. Can’t blame you though, places like Barnes and Noble really give you a welcoming atmosphere. “The library offers tons of great books to occupy your time,” says UHS student, Marissa Jackson. From magazines, to graphic novels, they have it all. For sure you’re not just wasting your time in places like these, even though it’s summer, you are still enhancing and improving your knowledge skills.

3. Cafes: If you’re in the mood of a quiet and relaxing place to be in, then cafes like Starbucks probably suit you. Starbucks sells espresso-based hot or cold drinks, salads, hot and cold sandwiches, pastries, snacks, and items such as mugs and tumblers. The soothing music and the aroma of the coffee makes you feel relaxed and at home. It’s a place for you to be away from the stress of our daily routines.

4. Pool/Resorts: The best place to cool off, right? This only does not give you the luxury to enjoy and have a blast, but this also gives you and your family good bonding time. “When it is especially hot, it is fun to go to the pool especially with friends,” says UHS student Miriam Mueller. If you want to enjoy the heat of the sun and maybe get a tan, then this will surely be the place for you to do that.

5. Parks: Where else can you get fresh air and enjoy the nature? The park, right? If you’re an outdoor kind of person, then no doubt you love going to local parks around the area.  Besides the fresh air, there are lots of fun activities you can do in the park. “Parks are really fun to be in, it’s a great place to meet new people,” says UHS student, Caitlynn Russell. You can either play tennis, soccer, go hiking, or jog. These activities allow you to get active, at the same time take your mind off things you’re involved of at the moment.

So, there you go. Those are some of the places you can spend your time on during the summer months. Have a great summer everyone!

There have been a lot of great accomplishments by various UHS sports teams and I have picked a few sports and did a little profile on the team. Understand that I could not have picked every sport, so I had to pick and choose. I still love all the other sports teams!!

Boys Football – The tigers’ football team had a change in direction when Nathan Watson took over has head coach for the tigers. Watson use to be the Assistant Coach and Defensive Coach at Central High School. “When I saw the facilities, and met with Dr. Taylor and the rest of the administration and met the athletes and coaches I knew this was the place for me,” said Watson. Even though the team did not win any games this year there are high hopes for the 2010 season. “Our goals are to win the home opener and be twin city’s champs if we can do that, then win a play off game for the first time in school history,” Watson said.

Girls Tennis – The girl’s tennis team did great this year with wining the sectional title. This was a great accomplishment considering all the new girls on the team. Melissa Welch who has been coaching at Urbana for fourteen years coaches the ladies. “I enjoy coaching and getting to know students not just on the academic level and I love tennis,” said Coach Welch. Even though they won their sectional only one player made it to state senior Katarina Marjanovic. “It was great,” Welch said about winning sectionals.

Girls Cross-Country – The lady tigers won their regional meet and then advanced on to sectionals. The girls tied for fifth place with Centennial and were able to advance to the state meet and placed 12th in state. It was the first time since 1982 that the girl’s team had made it to the state meet. “It was an incredible experience I am so proud of the girls. They worked long and hard and there aren’t any more deserving athletes then them,” said Coach Renee Hunt, who has been coaching at Urbana for five years.

Boys Basketball – There was another change in boys sports this year as Coach Vashoune Russell took over as head coach for the varsity team. “I have known him my and have already developed a winning relationship. He is a great Coach,” said Senior Taylor Seten.
“I have been coaching here for the past six years (not as head coach), my heart bleeds orange and black,” Russell said. The team’s goals for next year are similar to that of football win Conference and Regionals.

Boy’s Baseball- The boys’ baseball team has had a great season there current record is 17-13 and 4-8 in the Big 12.  It has been a very fun year and we have won a lot of games and we plan on winning regionals,” said Senior Cody Comstock. The team is ranked number one in their regional and their next game in Wednesday (5-26) playing the winner of the Danville- Central game. They are coached by Steve Waller who in his 10th year of coaching at UHS. “I enjoy teaching kids to play the game and watching them grow as athletes and young men,” Waller said.

Girl’s Track- With State last week the lady tigers sure have accomplished a lot. The team has taken ten events to the state meet, which includes nine girls. The team has had quite a season placing fourth at Big 12 and 3rd in Sectionals. The team was very successful coming home with 5 state medals, 7^th 100m: Alyssa Wood, 8^th Pole Vault : Shelby Stevenson, 100 and 300m Hurdles Mackenzie White 8^th in 4×400 Wood, White, Stevenson and Nicole Choquette

With the school year being almost over most people are thinking about what they can do during the summer with their free time. Well there’s always the possibility of getting a job this summer. Summer is usually the best time for a student to get a job, because during summer most students aren’t distracted by school work, sports or other school related activities. It’s also the time of year when finding a job could be the most difficult, especially if everyone you know is also trying to find work in the city.

While finding a job itself is hard, it can be even harder if you aren’t 16 yet. It’s almost a proven fact that most jobs that hire teenagers look for teens that are at least 16 years of age.”The employers that do contact the school are those looking for students age 16 and older, not the younger (14/15) student”, says Mr. Furrer. While this may put upper classmen like juniors and seniors at a higher advantage, it puts younger students like freshman and sophomores at a disadvantage. That’s not to say that they shouldn’t just have to wait until they turn 16 to get a job. There are alternatives for students who want to get jobs that aren’t 16 yet. Freshmen who want jobs could always sign up for WECEP if they’re interested in finding a job for themselves. Basically WECEP is a program that helps freshman find jobs that they can do during a few hours of school and even outside it. The work hours during school are from 3^rd to 6^th hour, and they are excused from P.E. Most of the jobs however are fast food jobs, but the students still get paid money like a regular employee depending on how many hours they work. Students could also have their parents help them find jobs for them. “I don’t think that I could find a job by myself before I turn 16, but my mom told me she could help me get a job before I turn 16,” says Jeronden Dorsey.

For sophomores, however, who are looking for jobs have to get a work permit if they’re under 16. What a work permit normally does is give the student permission to work once the student applies for a job. Students can get work permits from Ms. Ouska at the Guidance office. Once the student fills out their job application, they have to show it to Ouska, and then can ask for a work permit. Once they receive the work permit, both it and the application have to be turned in when the student begins working at his/her job.

Summer jobs help students do a lot of things, buy cars, phones, help pay for college, etc. Most students get jobs because they like having money and like showing they’re capable of being responsible about it. Remember, jobs aren’t like school work, you can’t just do it all over next year, students and people in general have to prove they are determined enough by giving it all when working for someone. If not then they’re either going to get fired or be stuck doing the things no one else wants to do. Jobs are important even if you don’t like them you still have to do it if you want to get money from them. So if you do get a job this summer, give it your best.

AP Art students will have their work showcased it the Link Gallery at Krannert Art Museum from May 28 to June 1. A reception for the show will be held on May 28 from 5 to 6:30 p.m. Refreshments will be served.

Sixteen Urbana students artwork will be shown. They are all enrolled in Susan Gleason’s AP Art Class.

“The show would be a worthwhile experience to see artwork that fellow students have created,” says Sophomore Zelda Galewsky, who has artwork in the show.

The 16 artists that will be showcased are:

Rachel Beck

Luke Bial

Gretchen Booth

Zelda Galewsky

Davon Goodlove

Angela Headley

Patricia Liu

Magdalena Nilges

Esraa Odeh

Alanna Pomes

Kristin Rose

Fumi Takezawa

Rachel Warren

Allegra Wentworth

Charlotte Westcott

Dana Williams

The Link Gallery is located at 500 E. Peabody Drive in Champaign, IL.