Hononegah student achievements recognized

At the April Hononegah school board meeting, Principal Chad Dougherty gave student recognition to the varsity boys bowling team: Christian Bauer, Charlie Hunt, Jordan Williams, Jack Reed, Logan Moore, Lucas Peters, Caleb Dirkx, and Garrett Clayton.

Varsity boys bowling coach Brad Sommer spoke of how proud he is of this year's team. “The team finished sixth at the IHSA State Tournament and have set several state and national records this season,” Sommer said.

The team had an 8-1 record, putting them in second place in the conference. On the road to the state competition, the team finished third in regionals, first at sectionals, and sixth at state.

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Charlie Hunt finished as the conference MVP and finished in first place as an individual at regionals and at sectionals. He scored a perfect 300 in the first game of the regional tournament.

Logan Moore finished in fourth place at sectionals. Christian Bauer received all state honors with a 12th place finish at the state tournament. He also bowled a perfect 300 in game three of the tournament.

In November 2022, the team set three national records and four state records. Charlie Hunt tied the national three game series record, set in 1990, with an 867, which is now the state record.

Principal Dougherty had students Amiah Jackson and Damian Harms come up to be recognized as Illinois Principals Association Kishwaukee Student Leadership Award winners. “Both Amiah and Damian were recognized at the Illinois Principal Association Leadership Breakfast,” he said.

Dougherty assured the students, “Hononegah is where you belong; we are one Hononegah.”

With the assistance of the National Junior Honor Society, Damian worked  to organize a drive to help Miss Carly's. Amiah works in Student Support Services with new students by introducing them to other students and making them feel welcomed in the school.

Dougherty extended a note of thanks to the HCHS Culinary Club for providing food at different times throughout the school year.

World Language Department chair Elizabeth (Señora) Eiss presented an update on her department. Eiss has been at HCHS for 26 years and has been the department chair for three years.

“Amanda McCoy is our new French teacher,” Eiss said. “She comes here from Belvidere where she taught for 12 years.”

“We took our students on a trip to Milwaukee to a French museum where students learned about cheese and chocolate,” Eiss shared.

“Our Spanish classes have three teachers. Students had an opportunity to attend an event where they served as a government board.”

Both the French and Spanish classes participated in March Madness, but they weren't playing basketball - students learned songs in both languages. Cafe Olé met for dinner at Fiesta Cancun in Roscoe.

Student Council representative Riley Dick reported that students hosted a blood drive on April 6. Prom was held at the Tebala Event Center on Saturday evening, April 22. This year's theme was “Midnight Ball.”

Student Council elections are underway.

The GA Club had a “Day of Silence” and a “Night of Noise Dance” on April 14.

The school board voted to approve a band and choir tour to go to Orlando, at the students expense. Another trip was to be taken by the boys volleyball team where they competed in a tournament.

The Stateline Robotics team competed in two regional events and made the top four alliances each time.

The Rugby team raised funds by hosting a car wash.

On the fun side, the Kevin Bell Students vs Faculty Basketball game was called one of the highlights of the year.

Each of the white and purple teams was considered "unified" - with Special Olympics athletes and other students on the same team. This year, in a second game, the students beat the faculty by two points in double overtime. The game had an extra purpose, to raise funds for  Renaissance and Special Olympics.

Kevin Bell, who died in 2021, is fondly remembered at HCHS and in the community for his love of basketball and his zest for life. Bell won several medals in Special Olympics equestrian events and helped to coach the friendly basketball competition that now bears his name.