Twenty one UHS thespians and 7 chaperones- ...enjoyed the world premier pre-Broadway musical 'The Addams Family' in Chicago at the Ford Oriental Theatre.  They began their theatre experience with dinner at Ed Debevik's then on to the theatre to see Nathan Lane and Bebe Neuwirth in this new musical.  Everyone had a great time and gave a thumbs up to the show.

Congratulations to the Pioneer Debate team- ...who displayed their skills at the 45th annual Homewood-Flossmoor High School debate tournament. In Public Forum, the teams of Celia Schimelpfenig and Jade Kestian, and Zach Parton and Joel Gebhardt advanced to Quarter Finals. Celia and Jade both received top ten speaker awards as well, with Celia being voted first-place speaker at the tournament. In Varsity Lincoln-Douglas, Jake Oakley advanced to semi-finals, and also received a top ten speaker award. In Novice Lincoln-Douglas, Janie McMahon and Stephanie Carlson both won top ten speaker awards, as well as made it to break rounds. Stephanie was a quarter finalist, and Janie, in her second debate tournament ever made it to finals. Congrats Debaters, keep up the great work!!

'Bravo' to the Concert Choir, under the direction of Chris Corpus- ...who performed this morning (Wednesday) at the WMBD 31 Morning Glory Choral Competition in Peoria.  Check out their wonderful performance here.  U-High's Concert Choir is one of two central Illinois choral groups who were scheduled to perform today, while two more groups will perform tomorrow and two on Friday.  Then beginning Friday, November 20th, you can vote for your favorite!  Just access the Morning Glory website to cast your vote.  The winner will be announced on Wednesday, November 25th. Best of luck to Director Chris Corpus and our outstanding Concert Choir!

Congratulations to Girls Swimming & Diving- ...who placed 2nd (22 points behind Champions Peoria Notre Dame) at the Sectional Meet at Normal Community High School on Saturday, November 14.  Qualifying for the State Meet at New Trier High School in Winnetka, November 20-21 were Seniors Emily Hovren (200 Individual Medley- 2:06.82, 100 Freestyle- 50.07) and Becca Remmes (100 Backstroke- 59.81).  Emily's 200 IM established a new School Record and Becca's 100 Back was both a School and Area Record.  Also qualifying for the Pioneers were Freshman Marissa Thomas, Sophomore Allie Slingsby, Freshman Danielle Ludwig, and Hovren as members of the 200 Free Relay (1:39.27) and 400 Free Relay (3:38.13).  The 200 Free Relay also set new School and Area Records.  Great job, ladies!  Well done!  

Congratulations to the Pioneer Speech team- Radio Speaking while Grant Guttschow and Max Renner topped Novice Original Comedy and Novice Informative Speaking. In other Varsity action, Whit Pledger took 2nd in Special Occasion Speaking. Elora Karim a 2rd place in Radio Speaking to a 6th in Informative. Chelsey B. Coombs finished 3rd place in Prose Interpretation as did Katy Biddle in Oratorical Declamation. Chris Michels was 4th in Extemporaneous. Adam Przybylski and Chelsey B Coombs were also finalists in Poetry and Original Comedy. The Pioneer Novices were on fire as seven advanced to Varsity finals! Novices Jay Simmons, Max Renner and Jack Schweers placed 2nd, 4th and 6th in Impromptu. Garrett Medlock earned 3rd in Poetry and Anna Weis added a 6th in Dramatic Interp. Rona Hunter and Kambria Vance finished 8th in Oratorical Declamation and Radio Speaking. In other Novice action, Kambria placed 3rd in Dramatic Interpretation where she was joined by Garrett Medlock in 4th and Erin Hutchins in 2nd. Rachel Weaver was 5th in Original Comedy and Madison Oakley place 5th in Poetry. Way to go Pioneer Speechies! A job very well done!]]>

'Hats off' to members of the Boys Soccer team- ...who gave back to the community this past weekend by helping set up for the annual Festival of Trees at the Interstate Center benefiting The Baby Fold. They unloaded trucks, moved boxes, and even put together Christmas trees! Thanks to these fine young men for taking time out of their day to help!