School News

PHS Winter Guard debuts seaworthy spectacle

After spending the fall semester performing with the Paris Cooperative High School (PHS) Band, Color Guard Director Zach Casad and his performers kick things into high gear. Winter guard, the indoor …

Crestwood announces third quarter honor roll Junior High Students

Sixth Grade Zaylee Barczy Gigi Bradley Easton Brewer Gwen Brinkerhoff Hallie Brinkerhoff Vivian Brown Wesley Burns Charleigh Cook Fender Davis Will …

Birchfield helps students prioritize physical education

Taylor Birchfield has been Paris High Schools Girls Physical Education teacher since 2019. She has also been coaching the girls Track and Field team since she started at Paris High School. …

Eighth grade students make trip to museum

Eighth-grade students at Crestwood recently took a field trip to Terre Haute to visit the Candles Museum. The museum was created in 1995 by holocaust survivor and Terre Haute resident Eva Mozes …

Prairie Press Student of the Week: Bryan Woolum

What’s your name? Your grade? Where do you attend school? Bryan Woolum, 8th Grade, Crestwood School. What is(are) your favorite subject(s)? What draws you to that subject? …

Prairie Press Student of the Week: Mara Bosch

What’s your name? Your grade? Where do you attend school? Mara Bosch, Senior, Shiloh High School What is(are) your favorite subject(s)? What draws you to that subject? I love …

Art is a part of student’s education

Students in Ms. Holly’s House Elementary classroom recently finished creating cuckoo clocks as part of an art project. “(The) wall design and ornate, detailed clocks with real pine …

Host parents wanted for exchange student program

Natalie Scherle knew she wanted a side job outside of teaching and was browsing around for something that was available. Scherle has been a junior high math teacher for 17 years.  She …

Paris High School hosts activity fair

Paris High School opened its doors to the future class of 2028, by hosting an Activities Fair and chili supper for incoming freshmen and their parents.  Tables lined the gym, each offering …

Mayo Middle preps for Solar Eclipse

The 2024 Great American Eclipse will appear in Paris on April 8, at 2:02 p.m. The next total eclipse of the sun for the United States will occur in 2045. The course for this eclipse will appear …

Prairie Press Student of the Week: Payton Vezina

What’s your name? Your grade? Where do you attend school? Payton Vezina, 12th grade, Shiloh High School. What is(are) your favorite subject(s)? What draws you to that subject? …

Prairie Press Student of the Week: Isabella Chandler

What’s your name? Your grade? Where do you attend school? Isabella Chandler, eighth grade, Crestwood. What is(are) your favorite subject(s)? What draws you to that subject? Science, …

Paris High School hosts career fair for students

Students rock learning from Block

Brett Block started her teaching career in 1994, but she originally aspired to be a marine biologist. A burst eardrum from a scuba diving trip had her reconsidering her career choices, and she …

Chrisman School food market available for every enrolled student

The Cardinal Cupboard, a small food market at the Chrisman High School, draws a cross-section of students from the area, thanks to grant funding it allows everyone to shop for free. The market …

Carolyn Wenz elementary school Staff and Students participated in read across America together

CUSD 4 receives high marks on financial profile

The Crestwood School District met twice in February, the first meeting, held on Feb. 14, was filled with discussions of student and parent involvement, and the second meeting, held on Feb. 19, …

Paris High School hosts career fair

Paris High School’s (PHS) annual career fair is Friday, March 1. Staff members Jayne Brown and Heather Robison team up yearly to invite the community into the high school in an effort to …

The Prairie Press Student of the Week: Makaylah Paceley

What’s your name? Your grade? Where do you attend school? Makaylah Paceley, 12th grade, Shiloh High School. What is(are) your favorite subject(s)? What draws you to that subject? …

PHS takes second place in Masonic Academic Bowl Sectional

The Illinois Masonic Academic Bowl Sectional Tournament came to Paris Cooperative High School on Saturday, Feb. 17, featuring some of the best scholastic bowl teams in the region. Paris finished …

Eagles make donation to food pantry

The National Junior Honor Society (NJHS) elevates a school’s commitment to the values of scholarship, service, leadership, character and citizenship. Student members of Crestwood’s NJHS …

PHS students share science with the younger generation

Doug Happ and Beyond the Bell students visited Paris High School in the pursuit of knowledge, knowledge in physics. The eager learners were greeted by several high school students who took the …

Prairie Press Student of the Week: Sami McClain

What’s your name? Your grade? Where do you attend school? Sami McClain, 12th grade, Shiloh High School. What is(are) your favorite subject(s)? What draws you to that subject? …

Prairie Press Student of the Week: Olivia Radke

What’s your name? Your grade? Where do you attend school? Olivia Radke, senior, Chrisman High School What is(are) your favorite subject(s)? What draws you to that subject? Math, …

PHS searches for athletic trainer

The Paris High School Board meeting Monday, Feb. 12 started with a presentation by Bob Abernathy of the ECCEL program. ECCEL stands for Edgar Clark Career Exploration Leadership, a class for …

Crestwood School presents ‘Little Mermaid Jr.’

Crestwood School’s production for this year is “Little Mermaid Jr.,” a musical that will feature 40 students from sixth, seventh and eighth grades. It “promises to be an …

From bookkeeper to teacher

Rob Boyars has taught at Paris High School since 1993. Originally from Redmon, he attended Shiloh School from kindergarten to 12th grade. After graduation, Boyars pursued an associate’s …

Prairie Press Student of the Week: Tara Wakefield

What’s your name? Your grade? Where do you attend school? Tara Wakefield. Twelfth grade. Shiloh High School. What is(are) your favorite subject(s)? What draws you to that subject? PE. …

Prairie Press Student of the Week: Brynna Drenning

What’s your name? Your grade? Where do you attend school? Brynna Drenning, sixth grade, Chrisman Junior High. What is (are) your favorite subject(s)? What draws you to that subject? Art, …

Sew much fun for Crestwood students

Beth Laborde teaches a summer sewing class for students at Lori’s Pin and Needles, on Feb. 2 she joined several Crestwood staff members and taught a handful of students basic sewing skills with …

PHS students placed in ACES competition

The Paris High School ACES (Academic Challenge for Engineering and Science) team recently began their season by competing in the Academic Challenge regional Feb. 2. Academic Challenge is a …

70s Disco Winterfest at Shiloh High School

Shiloh Student Council hosted 70s’ Disco Winterfest Jan. 29 - Feb. 3. A “powderbuff” tournament was held for boys from each high school grade. They played volleyball in the …

3rd and 4th grade Carolyn Wenz students recognized for top AR points

Prairie Press Student of the Week: Bonnie Drenning

What's your name? Your grade? Where do you attend school? My name is Bonnie Drenning, I’m in grade six, and I got to school at Chrisman. What is (are) your favorite subject(s)? What draws …

Redbirds serve internationally

On Saturday, Jan. 27, several student members of the Mayo’s Redbird Leadership Squad volunteered to serve alongside the International Disaster Emergency Service (IDES) at an event in Paris. …

Student Feature: Benton Wilson

What’s your name? Your grade? Where do you attend school? My name is Benton Wilson, I am an eighth grader at Mayo Middle School. What is your favorite subject(s)? What draws you to that …

Super scientists

Paris high school students Good Behavior Award recipients

PHS students join mass pep band

A group of representatives from the Paris High School Pep band were sent to participate in the LIC conference basketball pep band in Richland County, Saturday, Jan. 20. The schools involved in …

Students learning from the Blast

KANSAS —Seventh through 12th-grade students at Kansas CUSD3 had a special guest visit them to share his life story on Jan. 18. Carmine Azzato, a.k.a. BLAST, from the WWF tag team Demolition, …

Snowy crafts are keeping students warm

Students at Ms. Holly’s House are creating winter snow globes in their art class to match the blustery weather in Edgar County. “Elementary students are starting their snow …

Paris High School perfect attendance award winners receive recognition

The B-u-z-z on Crestwood’s spelling bee

Crestwood Students between 3rd and 8th grade participated in the Crestwood Spelling Bee on Friday, Jan 12. The students did an amazing job spelling and went for 10 rounds before two finalists were …

Carolyn Wenz students are chasing a reading goal

Students at Carolyn Wenz Elementary School have been visited by some special guests, all of whom are encouraging them to “WIG-out” and participate in a school-wide race for gold stars and …

Art student stuns teachers with her ability and passion for art

Lake Land celebrates associate degree nursing graduates at pinning ceremony

Graduating nurses received their pins at the 2023 Lake Land College Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) to Associate Degree Nurse (ADN) Bridge program pinning ceremony. The LPN to ADN Bridge program …

Students make choices that change their community

Shelia Grant leads an after-school club for middle school-aged students called CAST, or Cooking and Sewing Together. Unlike many other after-school clubs and programs, the club that Grant runs does …

Students from Edgar County volunteered to ring the bell for the Salvation Army

PHS announces cast for spring production

Casting for the Paris High School Drama Club’s production of “The Hunchback of Notre Dame” was announced by directors Tanner Laughlin and Agnes Laughlin just prior to Christmas …

Shiloh High School students work together to feed members of their community

Winter break and wandering minds

While students excitedly welcome winter break and the time to relax, many parents and educators worry the weeks off are too much and learning might suffer. Those fears might be well founded, …

Shiloh audit report shows they are on track

The Shiloh School Board presented an audit report during a recent meeting on Dec. 20. The audit showed the school district is operating with strong balances. There were no findings and all funds show …

Student blessing box provides for community

The elementary students at Ms. Holly’s House have collected and distributed 85 coats, 665 pairs of socks, $4,000 worth of groceries and hygiene items and 40 blankets so far this school year. …

PHS students look to Forensics for the future

Paris High School students are expanding their understanding of biology and forensics via a partnership with Horizon Health. “We had a blast in forensics,” teacher Jami Wilson said. …

Shiloh high schoolers bring holiday hits to local nursing home

NEWMAN – Students at Shiloh High School used a rewards day as an opportunity to spread Christmas cheer on Monday, Dec. 11 by visiting the Newman Rehabilitation & Health Care Center (NRHCC) …

Kansas kids spreads Christmas Cheer

KANSAS— Kansas FFA students snuck some extra holiday spirit into the halls of their school as they conducted their annual operation; Secret Santa. “It was a huge success again this …

Crestwood cheers for student-athletes

Crestwood School held its annual Fall Sports Athletic Banquet on Dec.19. The banquet was an opportunity for Crestwood leaders to recognize the student-athletes in Golf, Softball, Baseball and …

PHS announces midterm graduates

The Paris High School Board met and approved the calendar for next school year, along with the first reading of board policy updates, on Monday, Dec. 11.   The changes will be approved and …

Crestwood students create Christmas cookies

Robin Trapp, owner of Betty Jane’s Kitchen, spent the afternoon with Crestwood students creating Christmas cookies. Trapp brought in an assortment of cookies, decorations and Karo syrup to the …

Santa Shop continues its yearly tradition

The Santa Shop has been a staple event at Memorial Elementary School every Christmas since 1987. Originally costing the students money, it is now an opportunity for Memorial students from preschool …

Students serve community at One Stop

MATTOON- Shiloh family and consumer science teacher Carey Hood grew up volunteering at One Stop Community Distribution in Mattoon. The Hindsboro native was recruited to the cause by fellow Oakland …

Six months later, Paris 95 teachers want answers

Wednesday, Dec. 13, marked six months since the home of Paris Union School District 95 Superintendent of Schools Jeremy Larson was searched by FBI agents, kicking off a chain of audits, reports and …

Crestwood students continue to be fed

The Crestwood Eagles are continuing to soar to new heights. During the Wednesday, Dec. 13 board meeting CUSD 4 Superintendent Danette Young announced Crestwood Jr. High’s newest achievement …

Students craft ceramic Christmas trees in class

Carrieann Pounds’ second hour class has been working with Christina Waltz on pour ceramics. Waltz runs a shop out of her home called CW’s Country Ceramics. She offers anything from …

Mayo Middle School hosts cookies and painting event

Shiloh School welcomes a North Pole visitor

Elementary students at Shiloh School have welcomed not one, but two special visitors recently, and both are quite fond of each other. “I was trying to catch who made the mess in the …

Kindergarteners learn the magic of Chemistry

For 10 years the AP Chemistry Class has hosted Kindergarteners during school to teach them about different lab experiments.  Brett Block and Jamy Cearlock started the tradition with …

Memorial Elementary School tradition of Santa Shop still going

Memorial Elementary School has a long-standing tradition of providing a Santa Shop for students and although COVID-19 changed how it is done, it is still going strong. “Before COVID hit we …

Not all corn is equal

Many children today take corn for granted, believing you put a seed in the ground, and it grows through summer. In the fall, it is harvested and sent to the stores. Children are often amazed to learn …

National Junior Honor Society hosts fun day

The Crestwood National Junior Honor Society put learning on pause for a day. The school hosted a fun day for students in third through fifth grade. Students participated in crafts and games …

Educating youth on brain disorders can make life at school a little easier

Crestwood School is working hard with its students to break the stigma of brain disorders using the Perception Academy Quest (PAQ). PAQ is a program that takes students through a series of …

Crestwood earns exemplary rating from ISBE

Crestwood Elementary School students and staff can enter the Christmas season knowing they made the nice list, at least according to the Illinois State Board of Education. Recently released ISBE …

Underdogs take center stage

Paris High School is buzzing with excitement as it prepares for its upcoming drama production of “Puffs,” a whimsical and spellbinding journey into the world of wizardry. Set to …

Aikman Wildlife brings the outdoors into Crestwood

The Crestwood cafeteria filled with excitement during an after-school program as Kelsey Aikman, of the Aikman Wildlife Adventure, brought the outdoors inside with five different animals. …

NAL and ISU partner together for STEM in Edgar County Schools

North American Lighting (NAL) and Indiana State University (ISU) are teaming up to bring a one-of-a-kind science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) experience to Edgar County Schools. …

Social Media has strong grasp on today's youth

Social Media has a strong grasp on today's youth. Everyone wants to know who is doing what and where, but how is this affecting kids? Stacy Skelton says that around 75% of the arguments she …

Wenz students honored veterans

Students at Carolyn Wenz Elementary School celebrated their Veteran’s Day differently this year. Students normally watch a program put on by the American Legion, but this year Wenz staff …

ISBE report card highlights academic success and areas for improvement

The Paris Union School District 95 Board of Education had plenty to celebrate at its Monday, Nov. 18, monthly meeting. Grade group leaders from Memorial Elementary School, Carolyn Wenz …

Students standing tall

HUME - Shiloh students in Kendra Saddoris’ class were challenged as one of nine teams at the First Annual Robinson High School Engineering contest. “My physics class, which includes …

Breakfast Bash

Educators all over feel it is important to get families interacting with their children’s education, and what better way to do it than through food? Crestwood recently held its annual …

Local students attend National FFA convention

FFA, formally known as Future Farmers of America, is an intracurricular organization of students interested in leadership and agriculture. Every year the FFA holds a national convention where …

Ameren enlightens students on energy savings

HUME – Shiloh fifth-grade students learned how to save energy in their homes through Ameren Illinois’ Student Energy Education Kit Initiative. This teaches students how to use energy …

Kansas school district releases first quarter honor roll

KANSAS — These students at the Kansas school district were recognized for academic achievement during the first quarter of the 2023-2024 school year. Kindergarten: Anya Hilderbrandt, …

Local students selected for district festival at EIU

Junior high students can audition for the annual Illinois Music Education Association (ILMEA) district festival. “ILMEA does a lot of good for our students,” said Mayo band director …

Finding home in the classroom

Lucy Tarr knew her life’s calling from a young age. “I’ve always wanted to be a teacher,” said Tarr. “When I was little, I would line up my dolls and animals and …

Beacon Brigade ends season

Beacon Brigade finished out the season Saturday, Oct. 21, winning a hefty 14 trophies throughout the competition season.  The most recent awards received are second place in class 1A and …

District 95 hosts pumpkin carving night for families

The Paris School District #95 Eads Avenue Campus was flooded with an influx of families Wednesday, Oct. 18, for a time-honored tradition of pumpkin carving. The event was open to all District #95 …

Trail of terror awaits those who dare enter

Get out the best pair of walking shoes and prepare to be frightened as the PHS After Prom hosts its annual Trail of Terror from 7 to 9:30 p.m. Monday, Oct. 30, and Tuesday, Oct. 31 at the Paris High …

Another trophy for the case

NEWTON — The Paris High School Beacon Brigade was named overall Grand Champion at the Newton competition with best drum major, best color guard, best percussion and first place in class 3A. …

Mayo invites families to play together

Multiple Mayo students and their families picked up their ink blotters and covered numbers during a fun-filled night of bingo in the Mayo cafeteria. Mayo staff member Stephanie Moody sought a …

Crunch on tradition

For nearly a decade on the second Thursday in October Crestwood students have done The Great Apple Crunch. “This event promotes healthy eating,” said Crestwood Superintendent Danette …

Learning coping skills offers help

Staff members of the Human Resource Center of Edgar and Clark Counties spoke to the Crestwood After School Program about coping skills. “Learning how to cope with stress is essential for …

Dictionary donation

For many years Rotary has donated dictionaries to every third grader in Edgar County. Although each student has access to electronic dictionaries, the Paris Rotary Club continues the tradition …

Peanut butter challenge is a success for Wenz

Wenz students were challenged with collecting peanut butter and responded with more than 340 pounds collected. Melinda Young, Wenz Elementary Teacher, heard the Compassionate Food Pantry was …

Students serving

Faith in Action held its annual Spaghetti Dinner, where students from both Mayo and Crestwood came together to serve. Members of the Crestwood Student Council and Mayo Middle School Redbird …

District 6 superintendent search

CHRISMAN – The Chrisman Board of Education is partnering with the Regional Office of Education #11 (ROE) to begin the search for a new district superintendent. Regional Superintendent Kyle …

Students on the right track for a good future

HUME – The Community Unit School District 1 had a lot to talk about when a student presented a request to the Shiloh school board during their meeting Monday, Oct. 16. “It is really …

Kansas students host game

Dust of the sneakers, dig out the gym clothes and work on reflexes because it is time for some dodgeball. The Kansas High School Student Council is hosting a dodgeball tournament 1 p.m. …

Art Centered Education

Preschool students are creating color-mixing canvas projects and learning to identify shapes and colors while building better mobility skills with basic painting and stamping techniques at Ms. …

Crestwood rewards students for behaviors

During the months of September and October, the faculty at Crestwood watch students looking for certain behavioral goals. “We looked for students who showed respect to everyone by using …