What Recently Happened?
At Hebron High School (HHS), during Homecoming week, there is one event that will always top the rest: the Homecoming Olympics. As the gymnasium was filled with students, it was also filled with excitement, school spirit, class camaraderie, and a competitive spirit.
Freshman Riley Mowry summarized what most students were feeling, “We're all feeling hyped,” and even at her first Homecoming Olympics, she knew what exciting things the day held.
HHS Student Council planned an exciting day for the Homecoming Olympics. The day started with performances from the Pep Band and the Dance and Cheer teams, then led into a powderpuff game with the dancers and cheerleaders.
Junior Riley Asher, who participated in the powderpuff game, said, “It was a super fun game, and I loved participating in it!”
Following the powderpuff game, the student body broke out into different activity rooms, where some of their options included playing board games, recreation in the gym, or having some quiet time.
After the midday break, the student body returned to the gymnasium. The Seniors did their annual runout, throwing toilet paper at the underclassmen as they passed by.
Senior Jalena Figueroa said, “it was a good time, especially having everyone together and getting along. It was crazy finally being the class we’ve looked at for so many years”
In the afternoon, the classes competed in a life-sized version of the board game “Hungry, Hungry Hippos,” musical chairs, a trivia relay that also quizzed on music knowledge, and the traditional Tug-of-War tournament.
The 2022 Homecoming Olympics resulted in the freshman class of 2026 in last place, the sophomore class of 2025 in third, the junior class of 2024 in second, and the senior class of 2023 championing the others.
What’s Coming Up?
With the semester wrapping up last week with finals, HHS students are ready for a well-deserved break. With the semester ending before winter break, students are given some peace to celebrate the holidays.
Over Winter Break, HHS will be holding its annual Boys' Basketball tournament, and the Girls' Basketball team will also be participating in a tournament.
Many other HHS students are looking forward to the free time that Winter Break presents. This extra time allows these teenagers to spend more of their time with friends, on hobbies, or at work, putting in some extra hours.
Seniors Cheyanne Fisher and Lily Reinhart agreed that they are looking forward to spending their time outside of school and getting some sleep in over Winter Break.
These couple of weeks will hopefully give HHS students a chance to recharge before the second semester.
Staff Spotlight
Nancy Allen is in her 15th year of teaching and this is her second year at HHS. As one of three teachers in HHS’s science department, she teaches standard and AP chemistry, environmental science, and astronomy.
Allen’s career did not originate in education; she is a trained chemist (with her master’s in environmental chemistry) and worked in the field for eight years.
Allen was also coaching high school volleyball and found that she really enjoyed being around the kids. As a result, when Allen started her family, she transitioned into teaching and continued coaching.
Aaron Owney, HHS’s current Principal, worked alongside Allen at LaCrosse High School. When HHS was looking for a chemistry instructor, Owney reached out to Allen regarding the job opening. This opportunity is what brought Allen to teach at HHS:
“I really enjoyed teaching at LaCrosse for 14 years, but I think I was just ready for a new challenge.”
In the classroom, Allen strives to create a fun classroom environment in which students can use collaboration to help them learn and process new material.
“I encourage collaboration on all things because I feel it helps students that may be struggling and helps others solidify ideas for better understanding.”
Senior Ashley Smith said, “We did a lab in environmental science with cookies. It was an interesting way to present the material and it was nice to be able to eat the cookies afterward.”
Allen is also teaching a new class at HHS this year: astronomy. This is also Allen’s first time teaching a course in the discipline, so she and her students have learned a lot!
Additionally, Allen is the sponsor of HHS’s National Honor Society chapter. She enjoys seeing the kids become engaged in giving back to the community:
“Not all students get a chance or have the access to service opportunities. I love it when they become excited about taking an active part in their community.”
Outside of school, Allen enjoys reading, attending her children’s sporting events, and traveling. Allen’s love of traveling has even inspired her to look into taking HHS students on an international trip.
Student Spotlight
HHS Junior Natasha Kennedy is one of many HHS Business Professionals of America (BPA) members who have advanced to the State Leadership Conference that will take place in March. At the Regional Leadership Conference, Kennedy placed second in Advanced Spreadsheet Applications and fifth in Banking and Finance.
This is Kennedy’s second year in BPA. Last year, Kennedy advanced to compete in Fundamental Spreadsheet Applications at the National Leadership Conference in Dallas, Texas. Kennedy is hoping that she will continue to be successful in her BPA journey:
“I am so grateful to be a part of the BPA community and all of the opportunities I have gotten because of it. I am hopeful these opportunities will continue to present themselves as I continue to be a part of BPA.”
Beyond BPA, Kennedy plays on HHS’s Volleyball team, is a member of HHS’s Student Council, and competes in Academic Super Bowl. Kennedy also dedicates a bulk of her time to studying, being a student in Pre-Calculus, AP Literature, and AP Biology.
Outside of school, Kennedy enjoys reading and making handmade bracelets, and recently decided to learn how to crochet.
After high school, Kennedy would like to attend college for a degree in Environmental Science or Geoscience. With her degree, Kennedy would like to have a career in climate science and conservation.