May 2007 - Special Senior Issue

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The Oakwood Times
Faculty
to
change,
page 3
Oakwood High School
5870 U.S. Route. 150
Fithian, IL 61844
Volume 22
Issue 9
May 18, 2007
Sermak wins 300th, page 25

2 The Oakwood Times May 18, 2007
2
Purple and White Awards 2007
For eight years, The Oakwood Times has honored those groups who have represented OHS well in our community. As in the past, the selection of these groups was not easy. There
is always an abundance of candidates, but we feel that these groups have demonstrated exceptional spirit and dedication and deserve recognition for their work.
Outstanding Team -- This team has put forth the best image of OHS on the athletic field, in the classroom, and in the community.
Outstanding Organization -- This group has done the most to put forth a good image of OHS, made a positive contribution to the community or school, or brought the best publicity
to the school.
Outstanding Community Group--- This outside group has done exceptional work for OHS, the district, or has made a positive contribution to the community.
Outstanding Team
Girls Basketball
By Carly Wilson
The winner of the 2007 Purple and White Award for the
Outstanding Athletic Team is the OHS Girls Basketball Team.
The team advanced to the finals of the Vermilion County
Tournament for the first time in 15 years and ended up bringing
home the second place trophy.
They also finished second place in the Comet Classic,
which is hosted at OHS every year. The team lost in overtime
during the championship game to the Westville Tigers.
The team finished with a total of 20 wins, which was a
goal of head coach Rick Bough from the beginning of the
season. This was the first time the team has been able to
achieve this goal in over a decade.
All season long, the team was looked upon as a legitimate
threat to win the big games and compete for titles.
“The team played with a lot of spirit, brought a big
crowd to the games, and played with the intensity that we
would like to see out of all of our teams,” said Athletic Director
Tim Lee.
The team was awarded an IHSA Team Academic
Achievement Award for having a combined GPA of over 3.0
during the season.
Junior guard Stephanie Denius was named to the All-
Area team by The News-Gazette, and All-State Honorable
Mention by the Associated Press, The News-Gazette, and
the Illinois Basketball Coaches Association.
Denius and freshman Amy Martin were also named to
the all tournament team during the County tournament.
The team is very deserving of this award because of
their success, spirit, and excitement they brought to the basketball
court.
Close Calls: Soccer, Comettes, Baseball
Outstanding Club
WYSE
By Jenna Hazelbaker
The Oakwood Times has chosen World Wide Youth
in Science and Engineering team, commonly known as
WYSE, to receive the Purple and White Award for outstanding
organization for 2006-2007.
The first outstanding accomplishment for the team
began at their first competition, which was Regionals.
The team placed first in division 300 out of six
other schools. The team did so well that the students
accumulated 43% of the awards given at the competition.
Six out of the 13 members of the team placed at the
Regional.
The WYSE team then advanced to Sectionals,
where the team received third place, only missing second
place by nine points.
The team’s third place finish was good enough to
qualify the team for the State competition.
Although the team did not place at State, two students
did do well. Travis Davis got sixth in math and
Erin Pouilliard received sixth in English and sixth in biology.
Team members include sophomore Stanley Zitello;
juniors Kyle Carnahan, Justin Jones, Joe Lewis, Aaron
O’Neill, Scott Randle, Rosa Shoemaker, and Carly Wilson;
seniors Davis, Tucker Knight, Pouilliard, Logan
Wilder, and fill-in Megan Knoblauch. The WYSE team’s
advisor was Norma Anderson.
“The WYSE team has proven to be representing
this school very well and I am very proud of them all,”
said Anderson.
Close Calls: Student Council, Drama Club,
Sophomore class
Outstanding Comm. Group
Booster Club
By Kimber Hawkins
The Oakwood Times presents the Purple and White
Award outstanding community group to the OHS Booster
Club.
Each year, the Booster Club supports all of OHS’ athletic
groups. They supply pop for the sports banquets and
offer financial aid when teams ask of it. This year, the club
offered a charter bus to a football game at Knoxville for both
fans and the cheerleaders.
The Booster Club offers a scholarship each year to a
graduating senior. They are also in charge of both the fall and
winter programs. This year, the club remodeled the boys and
girls basketball locker room.
“I like the dry erase board best because it is bigger and
I don’t have to erase every other word I put on the board,”
said boy’s basketball coach Jesse Johnson.
The Booster Club has bought benches for the soccer
team, track T-shirts, wind tarps for the softball team, a weighted
bat and backstop signs for the baseball team and miscellaneous
items for other various teams. They also bought shirts
for the coaches.
The Booster Club also bought dog tags to recognize
the seniors who were members of sports teams.
The Booster Clubs largest fundraiser is the 50/50 raffles.
Other fundraisers they have done this year include seat cushion
sales, men’s nostalgia basketball tournament, and a golf
outing.
On June 23, the Booster Club will hold their second
annual golf outing. Anyone interested in playing needs to
contact the Booster Club.
Close Calls: Post Prom parents, Appalachia Service
Project

May 18, 2007
Faculty members leaving for other opportunities
Mr. Joel Gehrig is leaving OHS to continue his
education. He is just one of the three teachers who will not
be returning to OHS next year. (Photo courtesy of FFA)
Graduation set for May 20
By Meghan Hohn
As students and teachers wind down for the summer, seniors are busy preparing
for their upcoming graduation.
Graduation will be held at 3 p.m. on Sunday, May 20, 2007 in the Oakwood Grade
School gymnasium.
The DAR and SAR will be giving the opening and closing speeches. This year’s
DAR is Jessica Burress and the SAR is Kyle Collom.
Speeches will also be given by Travis Davis and Erin Pouilliard who are ranked
number one and two in the class. It has not yet been determined which will be valedictorian
or salutatorian.
The OHS chorus will also be performing during the ceremony.
Each class that graduates from OHS is unique and leaves a lasting impression on
the faculty and school. The class of 2007 is no exception. OHS English teacher Judy
Steffen has taught all of the graduating seniors and has grown close to all of the
members of the class.
“I’ll remember the class of 2007 in many ways,” said Steffen. “One of the things
I’ll remember about English II is that I always wanted them to work harder than they did
and I had hoped more were involved in extra-curricular activities. I enjoyed their distinct
personalities for sure.”
School officers chosen
By Laura Lucas
The executive board for next
year’s student council has been
chosen.
The voting for the student
council executive board took place
on Friday, April 27. All of the executive
board members ran unopposed
this year.
Joe Lewis will be the 2007-
2008 student council president,
Amie Burke for vice president, Kayla
Johnson for treasurer, Chelsea
Tarquini for Secretary, Katie Lee for
Historian, and Carly Wilson for corresponding
secretary.
The corresponding secretary
is chosen by the OHS student
Council sponsor David Calkins and
President Joe Lewis.
“I am excited for the upcoming
year, I think that we will make a
lot of positive changes in the community,”
said Lewis.
According to freshman class
sponsor, Michelle Kimbro, the new
2007-2008 freshmen class officers
will be president Logan Cronk, vice
president Joseph Garrett, secretary
Michaela Eickhoff, and treasurer
Zack Carnahan.
All class presidents will automatically
be named student council
members for the next school year.
3
By Erin Pouilliard
Three OHS faculty members, Mr. Joel Gehrig, Ms. Janelle
Dodge and Ms. Sarah Leary will not be returning next year to
teach at OHS.
Leary, current OHS algebra II, pre-calculus, and calculus
teacher, intends on finding another teaching post in Fort
Wayne, Indiana. She is currently interviewing for positions
as a high school or middle school math teacher. The 2006-07
school year was her first year at OHS and her first year teaching.
“Everyone in my classes cared about their grades, so it
was easy to motivate,” said Leary. “When I student-taught in
a larger school, a lot of the kids didn’t care.”
She is getting married this summer, and plans to move
to Indiana with her future husband before next school year.
Leary was also the assistant volleyball coach at OHS.
Gehrig, current OHS Ag teacher, is leaving teaching
By I have no idea
This year, Prom was held on May 12 at
the Beef House in Covington from 6:30 p.m. to
11:00p.m.
The theme was From This Moment which
was also the name of the song by Shania Twain
that was played during coronation. This year’s
colors were peach, mint green, and ivory.
Approximately 160 students attended
prom this year and junior class advisor Lynn
Anderson was happy with the turnout.
“My only hopes for Prom this year were
that everyone would have fun while being safe,”
said Anderson.
The 2007 junior Prom prince was Joe
Lewis and the princess was Amanda Cruse.
This year’s Prom king candidates were
Nathan Davis, Travis Davis, Jacob Duncheon,
Tucker Knight, and Bryce Leeman.
The queen candidates were Brooke
The Oakwood Times
altogether.
“I think I will feel lost in the fall. It’ll feel very weird,”
said Gehrig.
He will be enrolling as a full time student at the Urbana
Theological Seminary, where he has been taking a class a
semester for a while.
Mrs. Gretchen Gehrig, a first grade teacher at OGS, will
not be leaving her teaching position, but is also taking classes.
The Gehrigs hope to be overseas missionaries in the near
future.
“We knew this was a possibility before we ever got
married,” said Gehrig.
In addition to teaching Ag, Gehrig is also the FFA and
FCA advisor.
Dodge teaches science and has been the soccer coach
and Scholastic Bowl assistant coach. She is leaving to take a
job in Galesburg.
Prom and Post Prom over
Eickhoff, Jena Foley, Kimber Hawkins,
Morgan Ives, and Laura Lucas. Results
were not known at the time of publication.
Post Prom was held at the high school
following Prom from midnight to 5 a.m. Approximately
100 people attended this year.
“Everything came together wonderfully.
There were tons to do and everyone
had a great time. I could not have hoped
for anything better,” said committee member
Keri Wright.
The parents said watching the kids
enjoying themselves at Post Prom made all
the hard work worth it.
“Putting on this event was a lot of
work and very time consuming but after
seeing the end product I don’t regret it,”
said Wright.
Many prizes were also given out to
the OHS juniors and seniors.
Next year’s Student Council executive board is pictured above. From left, treasurer Kayla Johnson,
historian Katie Lee, president Joe Lewis, secretary Chelsea Tarquini and vice president Amie Burke. (Photo
by Jenna Hazelbaker)

2 The Oakwood Times May 18, 2007
4
OK, well I suppose this is the column in which I’m
supposed to drone on about how I will either miss high
school and how it was the best four years of my life, or
how I’m so stoked to leave this place
which has been my prison for the
last four years, and dispense some
sage-like seniorly advice to underclassmen
along the way. I’m sure
you have all heard both stories, so I
will keep this part short and sweet.
UNDERCLASSMEN: If you
really love high school, savor it, because
as cliché as it sounds, it does
go by fast. If you are a freshman
counting down the days to your
graduation, well, again, it goes by
quicker than you think, so you’re in
luck as well!
I’ve had my share of good
times, bad times, and mediocre times,
but, quite frankly, I don’t think this
will be the best four years of my life.
I’ll always remember things like our
outing at “Moonglow Beach” for
the senior picnic or pretending to
be a race car with Laura at cross
country meets, but I’m ready to say goodbye and move on
to a new chapter in my life.
Moving on! I’ve discovered a new sport -- paintball.
When it was announced that the seniors would be
“You only live once.”
This is something I’ve heard since I
was young, but now that I am older I actually
understand it.
If I actually think about the fact that I
really only live once, it kind of scares me.
It makes me want to do something really
out of the ordinary like go skydiving or
not clean for an entire day. =) (This would be
extremely hard me since I am a compulsive
cleaner.)
This quote makes me think about my
past as well. I look back on the four years I
have spent here at OHS and how much I have
grown up since I first walked in the doors of
this school.
I think about everything I have been
through and how it makes me who I am.
In these past four years I have cried a
lot, laughed a lot, got in trouble, flunked a
few Spanish and algebra tests, struggled,
fought, but most of all grew up.
I have also struggled with life’s biggest
challenge - death. I have lost both a
cousin and a grandpa in a matter of one year.
I never thought I would get through it, but
obviously I lived to tell the story.
I could really get to like this paintball thing
Poo’
oo’s
News
By Erin Pouilliard
paintballing for the Meets & Exceeds reward trip, I was a little
leery. Being the wuss that I am, or maybe just because of
basic instinct, I really don’t like having things shot at me from
guns. Especially things that leave huge
bruises and welts.
My brother paintballs at home,
and I’ve seen the damage those innocent
looking little balls can do. He’ll
come home after a day under fire, sporting
big red and purple painful looking
marks all over his body. That have penetrated
layers of sweatshirts and
sweatpants. Ouch.
Being the genius that I am, I wore
a pair of snug jeans and a T-shirt. I
wasn’t really worried, because I figured
this game wouldn’t be very hardcore
since there were a bunch of girls on the
trip, and we would be wearing protective
vests anyway.
Then, the instructional video we
had to watch started going into reasons
why we HAD to keep our facemasks on
-- one being if we got shot in the eyeball,
it could shoot out of our head.
Greeeeeeat. I was officially starting to
get scared. As we entered the playing field, I tried not to think
about what life as a blind person would be like.
Our team (we were separated into two teams) searched
Although losing my grandpa was the
worst experience I have ever went through, it
made me a better person. He was the one that
taught me how to cherish every moment of
my life.
There are times when every high school
student feels that their life could not get any
worse.
But, it is not the bad things that happen
to you, but how you recover from the
bad things that really mean something.
I am a believer that everything happens
for a reason.
Since we only live once why not make
high school some of the best four years of
your life.
When people say high school is the
best part of your life, they are lying. Really, if
these are the best days of my life I have
NOTHING to look forward to in the future.
During this year people have said,
“Jenna, just do it, you only life once.” Most
of the time these people were talking me into
something I really was scared to do or
thought I couldn’t achieve.
Life is so extremely short, there is no
one better that could have taught this better
Behind these
Hazelbaker
eyes
By Jenna Hazelbaker
than my cousin and grandpa.
So, what are you going to do the next
few years of you life
for a place to hide our cone (we were playing capture the
flag…cone…whatever), and found a nice little nook at the
back of the course. I volunteered to stay back with Jeff to
guard the cone from the opposing team, because I figured
I’d have less of a chance of getting shot at. Well, after a few
minutes of not firing at anything, I decided to test out my
gun. Nothing happened. No paint bullets, no splatter marks,
nothing. So, I had to venture from my safe little hiding spot
to the front counter to get my gun fixed.
I was trying to master walking on the floor that was
covered with a decade’s worth of paint without slipping,
when I came face-to-face with two orange players. Oh, hey,
it was my best friend and another friend I’ve known since
kindergarten -- pointing paintball guns at me -- then firing
paintballs at me. Lucky for me, Meghan was a horrible shot,
but Travis pegged me up toward the shoulder. Surprisingly
enough, it didn’t hurt. But that could be because I got hit in
the vest. I managed to sneak around the rest of the day
without getting hit.
When we were all finished, everyone had beastly
welts that they were comparing with each other. I’m not
going to lie, I was a little jealous of the war wounds that
everyone else had to show off for their valiant efforts on
the battlefield. But not really, because I didn’t really want
purple bruises on my arms to go along with my Prom dress.
Although I spent a lot of the time crouching in a box
or scampering from spot to spot, I had fun, and I would
definitely give it another go. So, if you have the chance to
go try out a new sport, do it! You might surprise yourself.
You only live once, why not enjoy it
Cherish your friends and enjoy your time with them
Sit around and feel sorry for yourself
or have fun and live for today
I am not saying go out and get in huge
trouble. I am telling you that your life is now!
Don’t let petty fights get between you and
friends.
If I have any regrets about high school
it would be the fact that my group of friends
aren’t friends anymore. We can’t have the
fun times we used to have.
We have now missed out on so many
fun things that we all could have shared. I am
not saying it is any one persons’ fault it just
happens. It is sad that it happend to us.
To all you underclassmen, remember
that your friends are important. They are the
people that will be there for you. If they aren’t
there for you, then they aren’t your real
friends.
Go have fun and enjoy your family and
friends. Be spontaneous.
Enjoy your life!
You are young, healthy, intelligent
people, you have everything going for you,
go live your life.
After all, you only life once.

The Oakwood Times
Special Senior Issue
Congratulations Seniors!
Class of 2007
52 pieces inside

2 The Oakwood Times May 18, 2007
6
Favorite OHS
memory ... My
freshmen year P.E.
playing football with the
seniors.
Plans for next
year ... I am going to
college and taking it easy.
Something we
should know ... I just
want my class to know how
sorry I am for not taking part
in any of our school
activities.
Megan Beck
Kyle Barrett
Advice to
underclassmen ...
Don’t be shy and try to do
as much as you can.
Favorite OHS memory … Homecoming week
Plans for next year … DACC and studying early childhood education
Something we should know … I have a doll I got when I was born
and I still sleep with it.
Advice to Underclassmen … Enjoy your high school years because
they fly by.
Favorite OHS memory… My freshmen year P.E. Needless to say it
was mostly a senior P.E.
Plans for next year… To go to DACC for only one year.
Something we should know… Don’t talk back to me on tater tot
day.
Advice to Underclassmen… Don’t get in trouble in high school.
Favorite OHS
memory … James
Bond, Drive-thru’s at
McDonalds, and regrettably
being called Denny 90% of
my freshman year.
Eric Brazelton
Josie Bloomfield
Plans for next year
… College and playing with
a band.
Something we
should know …
Fergie and I once dated on
and off for a couple months.
Most people think I look like
Jack from Will & Grace.
Advice to
Underclassmen …
Don’t make direct eye
contact with Brian Benck, it
leads to wearing brightly
colored clothes.

May 18, 2007
7
The Oakwood Times
Favorite OHS
memory … Sitting in
7 th hour art class and
listening to Chelsey
DeYoung say really stupid
stuff.
Plans for next
year … Going to
DACC and working.
Something we should
know … Everyone in my family has
the same initials, hair color, and eye
color.
Kyle Clingan
Jessica Burress
Favorite OHS memory
…Every Homecoming and
Europe Trip 2005.
Advice to
Underclassmen
… Make Mr. Benck
brownies and he will give
you A’s all year.
Favorite OHS memory … When Jeff Watson and I stood
on the overpass in Muncie.
Plans for next year … Going into the Marines.
Something we should know … I don’t like relationships.
Advice to Underclassmen … Don’t get into serious relationships
in high school, they don’t work.
Plans for next year … Attending EIU majoring in Biological sciences
and minoring in Spanish.
Something we should know … I could do the splits in 8 th grade.
Advice to Underclassmen … Don’t walk slow in the hallways and
don’t think that you are better than anyone else.
Favorite OHS
memory … Calling
Denhart’s house over the
megaphone Homecoming
week.
Michael Conley
Kyle Collom
Plans for next year
… Attending DACC.
Something we
should know … My
first and last Homecomings I
went to was with a guy.
Advice to
Underclassmen …
Get involved in sports, if
you wait till your senior year
coaches won’t play you.

2 The Oakwood Times May 18, 2007
8
Tabatha Costigan
Favorite OHS
memory … Art trips
to Chicago.
Plans for next
year … College.
Something we
should know … I’ve
read over 300 different
Mangas.
Advice to
Underclassmen …
Don’t stand in the middle
of the hallway where
people can’t get through.
Brandon Creason
Favorite OHS memory … Playing hardball with Justin
Wynn and Aaron Pratt and painting our bodies for Homecoming.
Plans for next year … Going to college, or maybe just start working.
Something we should know … He’s known as “Mr. Creason.”
Advice to Underclassmen … Stay on the right side of the hallway.
Favorite OHS memory … Homecoming week and the pep
assemblies.
Plans for next year … Going to DACC for welding.
Something we should know … I’m decent at bowling, and I haven’t
had any tickets since I’ve had my license.
Advice to Underclassmen … Don’t get big headed and
respect teachers.
Ryan Curley
Favorite OHS
memory … Going to
State in wrestling.
Plans for next
year … Going to
Indiana State majoring in
criminal justice.
Something we
should know …
I’m on L8 racing pit crew.
Advice to
Underclassmen
… Work Hard.
Nathan Davis

May 18, 2007
9
The Oakwood Times
Travis Davis
Favorite OHS
memory ... Senior
football season.
Plans for next
year… Attending
Illinois College.
Something we
should know … I
easily become
cantankerous.
Advice to
Underclassmen …
Do what you want, and be
happy.
Chelsey DeYoung
Favorite OHS memory … Random discussions in all of
my classes.
Plans for next year … DACC studying education.
Something we should know … I’m probably the most random
person you will every meet.
Advice to Underclassmen … Learn to bite your tongue, it will get
you in more trouble than what’s it’s worth.
Favorite OHS memory … Football playoffs my sophomore year.
Plans for next year ... Indiana State or playing football for Illinois
college.
Something we should know … I have a great 8-pack.
Advice to Underclassmen … Enjoy high school while
you can, it goes by fast.
Favorite OHS
memory … Getting
the megaphone taken
away in P.E. during
homecoming week.
Jacob Duncheon
Cody Divan
Plans for next
year … Attending
Lincoln Christian college.
Something we
should know … I
use conditioner on my
beard.
Advice to
Underclassmen
… Grow a beard.

2 The Oakwood Times May 18, 2007
10
Ashley Edington
Favorite OHS
memory ... Giving Mr.
Sermak a potato for
Christmas my sophomore
year.
Plans for next
year … Go to DACC
and major in criminal
justice.
Something we should know
… Don’t ever ride in a car with me, we will
most likely get in a wreck.
Advice to Underclassmen …
Don’t stop to talk in the middle of the
hallway.
Brooke Eickhoff
Favorite OHS memory … Scoring my first ever
touchdown at Powderpuff.
Plans for next year … Attend Indiana State in Terre Haute.
Something we should know … I can dislocate my shoulder.
Advice to Underclassmen … Be yourself and don’t let others
change you.
Favorite OHS memory … Senior picnic at Lake Mingo.
Plans for next year … Attending DACC.
Something we should know … I stuck an eraser up my nose in
grade school.
Advice to Underclassmen … Stay single.
Favorite OHS
memory … My first
day.
Nick Fortier
Jena Foley
Plans for next
year … Going to
college.
Something we
should know … I
used to work at Hot
Topic.
Advice to
Underclassmen
… Don’t get lippy with
upperclassmen.

May 16, 2007
11
The Oakwood Times
Kyle Gue
Favorite OHS
memory ... When
people would spread
rumors about me, it would
make me laugh.
Plans for next
year … Attending
DACC, go D-Vegas.
Something we
should know … I
worked at KFC for three
days.
Advice to
Underclassmen
… Don’t get into trouble.
Kimber Hawkins
Favorite OHS memory … Senior Picnic at Lake Mingo.
Plans for next year … I will be attending Indiana State University
majoring in nursing.
Something we should know … When I swim I plug my nose with
my lips.
Advice to Underclassmen … You’re only in high school once so
live it to the fullest and have no regrets.
Favorite OHS memory … Senior Picnic at Lake Mingo and
winning cheerleading County two years in a row.
Plans for next year … I will be attending Indiana State University,
majoring in marketing and mass communications.
Something we should know ... I love to clean and I could perhaps
have OCD.
Advice to Underclassmen … Your friends are important, never let
petty fights get between you, you will regret it in the end.
Jenna Hazelbaker
Favorite OHS
memory … Senior
Picnic at Lake Moon Glow
in Kennekuk.
Plans for next
year … Attending
Aurora University and
studying either
psychology or biology.
Something we
should know … I
am head-over-heels in love
with Joe Lewis.
Advice to
Underclassmen …
Happiness is not by
chance, it’s by choice.
Meghan Hohn

2 The Oakwood Times May 18, 2007
12
Favorite OHS
memory … Senior
Picnic at Lake Mingo.
Plans for next
year … Going to DACC
and working at a
construction company in
Indiana.
Something we
should know … My
middle name is Flint.
Morgan Ives
Jared Hooks
Advice to
Underclassmen …
Enjoy it while it lasts.
Favorite OHS memory … Rapping in Mrs. Kimbro’s
class with Laura Lucas my freshman year.
Plans for next year … Attending Eastern Illinois University.
Something we should know … I love strawberries!
Advice to Underclassmen … Live it up! It goes by fast.
Favorite OHS memory … Volleyball and basketball.
Plans for next year … Studying nursing at DACC and playing
volleyball.
Something we should know … I can dunk.
Advice to Underclassmen … Enjoy high school while it lasts, and
stay close to your true friends.
Cortney Keagle
Mathew Kirkpatrick
Favorite OHS
memory … 2006 Prom
and Post Prom.
Plans for next
year … Going to
DACC, being in the Army
National Guard.
Something we
should know … I
am quiet, but if I know you
well you will want me to
shut up.
Advice to
Underclassmen …
Don’t let the years pass
you by, it’s a short time.

May 18, 2007
13
The Oakwood Times
Tucker Knight
Favorite OHS
memory … Getting
Jacob’s megaphone taken
away for calling Mr.
Denhart’s house.
Plans for next
year … Attending EIU
in pursuit of replacing Mrs.
Learnard as art teacher at
OHS.
Something we
should know … I
live in a bathroom.
Advice to
Underclassmen …
Stay away from Chris
Duncheon and Chris
Johnson -- far away.
Megan Knoblauch
Favorite OHS memory ... Beating Bismarck in the County
tournament and swimming with dolphins in Mexico.
Plans for next year … Going to Eastern, double majoring in Special Ed
and Foreign Language.
Something we should know … I can’t stand feet and my neck being
touched.
Advice to Underclassmen … Be yourself don’t let others tell you
differently.
Favorite OHS memory … Breaking every line of lockers I’ve ever
been on.
Plans for next year … Living under a bridge in Mississippi with my
dog JoJo.
Something we should know … I am secretly a ninja.
Advice to Underclassmen … Don’t walk on the left side of the
hallway unless you have a death wish.
Favorite OHS
memory …
Homecoming pep
assembly my junior year.
Elisha Lee
Andy Lee
Plans for next
year … Going to
DACC.
Something we
should know … I
am terrified of clowns!
What is your
advice for
underclassmen …
Try not to care too much
about something small. It
doesn’t matter who hated
who in the end.

2 The Oakwood Times May 18, 2007
14
From the class
I, Kyle Barrett, will my locker
to Katie Walker.
I, Megan Beck, will my awesome
locker to Brielle Arnold.
I, Josie Bloomfield, will my
table to my cousin Zach Grubb, my
meanness in P.E. to Shelby Claypool,
and my loud mouth to Katie Walker.
I, Eric Brazelton, will my
brobdingnagian vocabulary to Phillip
Sporcich, my Guitar Hero skills to
Joey Moody, my Halo skills to Chris
Duncheon, and my soccer skills to
Dustin Leverenz.
I, Jessica Burress, will the
awesome family genes to my cousin
Ben Schmit, the RPAC presidency to
Ryan Parker, and my good looks and
personality to Phil Sporcich.
I, Kyle Clingan, will my ability
to party to Austin Patton.
I, Kyle Collom, will my intense
soccer skills to Coach Denhart, my
long distance running skills to Kassi
Ziegler, my ability to speak Spanish
with the waiters at La Potosina to
Amy Martin, and my tan skin to Ms.
Leary.
I, Michael Conley, will my
parking spot to Kassi Ziegler and my
mad b-ball skills to Doug Pierce.
I, Tabatha Costigan, will my
awesome fashion skills to Jacy Miller.
I, Brandon Creason, will my
skill of handball to Justin Jones, and
my loudness to Sam Creason.
I, Ryan Curley, will my driving
record to Brad Hall.
I, Nathan Davis, will my awesome
wrestling skills to Brendan
Hafner.
I, Travis Davis, will my outstanding
360-reverse dunk to Justin
Jones.
I, Chelsey DeYoung, will my
awesomely great parking space to
Sierra Isard.
I, Cody Divan, will my mojo to
Brady Leeman.
I, Jacob Duncheon, will my
amazing body to my brother Chris.
I, Ashley Edington, will my
ability to speak my mind to Tyler
Coon and my late night car-jamming
sessions to Jordan Wright and Kayla
Jinkins.
I, Brooke Eickhoff, will my
cheerleading skills to Chelsea and
Taylor.
I, Jena Foley, will my parking
spot and ability to speak my mind
to Rachel Mulcahey.
I, Kyle Gue, will my intelligence
and respect to everyone who needs
it.
I, Kimber Hawkins, will my #1
softball jersey to Kayla Johnson, my
amazing catch-phrase skills to
Megan Bartlow, and my parking spot
to Brad Klayer.
I, Jenna Hazelbaker, will my
outstanding cheer skills to Chelsea
and Erica and my ability to laugh at
everything to Amanda W.
I, Meghan Hohn, will my mad
French-speaking ability to Carly Wilson.
I, Jared Hooks, will my parking
space to Kelsey Hooks, my full
head of hair to Mr. Denhart, and all
of my Ag knowledge to Rachel
Mulcahey.
Senior

May 18, 2007
15
The Oakwood Times
of ‘07 to you...
Wills
I, Morgan Ives, will my ability
to defend myself to Jessica Ives and
my ability to act stupid to the 1 st
hour P.E. girls.
I, Cortney Keagle, will my
height to Katie Webb, my mad dribbling
skills to Stephanie Denius, my
ability to barely be on time for morning
basketball practices to Kassandra
Ashikyan, and my awesome jumping
ability to Kayla Corzine.
I, Mathew Kirkpatrick, will my
locker to my brother Andy
Kirkpatrick.
I, Tucker Knight, will my eraser
collection to Mackenzie Ellis, my tap
light to Mike Wheeler, and my Ultimate
Frisbee skills to Chris Johnson.
I, Megan Knoblauch, will my
three-point skills to Kayla Corzine,
and my ‘gracefulness’ to Ali Sermak.
I, Andy Lee, will my ability to
headbutt anything to Blake Lallathin.
I, Elisha Lee, will my old Honda
Civic to Ashleigh Saville.
I, Bryce Leeman, will my
centerfield position to Mitch Cronk.
I, Laura Lucas, will my sweet
P.E. skills to Kelsey Pavlick, Kayli
Plotner, and Brittany Obenland.
I, Trent Lustig, will my senior
night soccer gifts to all upcoming
soccer players, so that they might
have a fair shot to play till their senior
year.
I, Emily Mulcahey, will my Biology
skills to Adam Barr.
I, J.B. Owens, will my game
and benching powers to Lance
Ligocki, and my hair to Kayla Terry.
I, Brandon Phillips, will my
chiseled abs and 24-inch-pythons
to Mr. Benck.
I, Erin Pouilliard, will my lightning
speed to Mackenzie Ellis, the
nickname ‘Poo’ to my brother Mitch,
and my driving skills to Ryan Parker.
I, Aaron Pratt, will my 3-point
shot and all basketball abilities to
Taylor Walsh.
I, Ashley Sermak, will my
ability to speak my mind to my sister
Ali Sermak.
I, Ashley Songer, will my soprano
seat in chorus to Kayla
Jinkins, Kayla Jinkins to the Taylor
twins, a straight jacket and duct
tape to Mrs. Learnard, and my inyour-face
attitude to Courtney
Glines.
I, LeAnn Stingley, will respect,
maturity, and manners to all
underclassman.
I, Kyle Strange, will my awesome
running abilities to Taylor
Walsh.
I, Brandon Taflinger, will my
hockey skills to Cody Marsh.
I, Jeff Watson, will my mad
skills to Chris Duncheon.
I, Justin Wernigk, will my
handball skills to Clay Smith.
I, Dustin White, will my clothing
style and overall good looks to
Sean Denney.
I, Logan Wilder, will my hair
to my brother because everyone
wants a ‘fro’!

2 The Oakwood Times May 18, 2007
16
Favorite OHS
memory … When
the baseball team made it
to Sectionals my freshmen
year.
Plans for next
year …
Attend DACC and get a good paying job.
Something we should know
… I used to be scared of thunderstorms
when I was little.
Laura Lucas
Bryce Leeman
Advice to
Underclassmen
… Enjoy every minute of
your high school career. It
will be over before you
know it.
Favorite OHS memory … Senior picnic at Lake Mingo.
Plans for next year … Go to Eastern Illinois University.
Something we should know … When I was little I stuck a bean
up my nose.
Advice toUnderclassmen … Don’t sweat the small stuff.
Favorite OHS memory … When I get out of lunch with an open can
of pop.
Plans for next year …Hmm…College.
Something we should know … I, for the record, am not Mexican. I
am German, Dutch, Welch, Croatian, Prussian, Russian, and English.
Advice toUnderclassmen … Save up a load of money because your
senior year will run you poor.
Favorite OHS
memory … Jason
Liggett eating a cockroach
in lunch.
Thia Michael
Trent Lustig
Plans for next
year … Going to DACC
and raising my two
children.
Something we
should know …
I’ve never been in any type
of fight.
Advice to
Underclassmen …
Stay on the right side of the
hallway.

May 18, 2007
17
The Oakwood Times
Favorite OHS
memory … Lake
Mingo at the Senior
Picnic
Plans for next
year …Attend
Missouri Valley College
as a part of the Rodeo team, and Major in
secondary education with a minor in
biology.
Something we should know
… Although I may be a little ditzy, I
manage to get good
grades.
J.B. Owens
Emily Mulcahey
Advice to
Underclassmen
… Be yourself! Have
fun while you can!
Favorite OHS memory … Homecoming and playoffs our sophomore
year.
Plans for next year … Go to University of East Main.
Something we should know … I love walking on beaches.
Advice to Underclassmen … Wear rubber underwear.
Favorite OHS memory … Getting knocked by J.D. and Joel on the
practice field.
Plans for next year… Touring with my band.
Something we should know … I once put my grandma’s cat in the
microwave and set it to popcorn.
Advice to Underclassmen ... Get involved, but know
your rank.
Favorite OHS
memory … Senior
Picnic at Lake Moonglow in
Kennekuk.
Erin Pouilliard
Brandon Phillips
Plans for next year …
Attending the University of Illinois
majoring in ... something.
Something we should know
… One time I got first place at
a cross country meet...because I was
the only girl in the race.
Advice to
Underclassmen …
Don’t make eye contact
with Chris Duncheon or
Chris Johnson, you’ll regret
it.

2 The Oakwood Times May 18, 2007
18
Aaron Pratt
Favorite OHS
memory … Making a
70-foot shot to win a
basketball game against
Westville.
Plans for next
year … Playing
Division II basketball.
Something we
should know … I
have my nipples pierced.
Advice to
Underclassmen
… Don’t think you’re too
cool to do something.
Track & Field.
Ashley Sermak
Favorite OHS memory … Placing 7th in the State in
Plans for next year … Attending Illinois State, majoring in
Accounting.
Favorite OHS memory … The DACC bus my junior year.
Plans for next year … I am going into the Army.
Something you should know ... I leave for basic training on June 6.
Advice to Underclassmen … Don’t pay attention to all the drama.
Jessica Shaw
Something we should know … I can swim two laps underwater
without taking a breath.
Favorite OHS
memory … Jacob
Duncheon wearing a
cheerleading outfit to the
Powder Puff game.
Plans for next
year … Living in a box
on Logan street. Just
kidding, probably
continuing my career.
Something we
should know … I
have been in chorus for
seven years.
Advice to
Underclassmen
… Respect your elders,
do your work, make
friends not enemies, and
grow up.
Advice to
Underclassmen …
Have the time of your life!
Ashley Songer

May 18, 2007
19
The Oakwood Times
LeAnn Stingley
Favorite OHS
memory …
Freshman year.
Plans for next
year … I don’t have
any yet.
Something we should know
… Nothing other than I am glad to be
getting out of here.
Advice to
Underclassmen
… Respect authority,
mind your own business,
don’t worry about what
people think of you, and
graduate early.
Kyle Strange
Favorite OHS memory … Freshmen year when
Jason Liggett ate a cockroach.
Plans for next year … Going to DACC and working at County
Mounty.
Something we should know … I ate dog food in 5th grade for
$20.
Favorite OHS memory … Homecoming week.
Plans for next year … Going to DACC.
Something we should know … I’ll be very successful.
Advice to Underclassmen … Keep trying in school, never slack
off.
Brandon Taflinger
Favorite OHS
memory … Senior
Homecoming with Tara.
Plans for next year
… United States Marine
Corps.
Something we
should know … I
rolled my car 4.5 times and
walked away without a
scratch.
Advice to
Underclassmen …
Be on guard when you are
around Chris Johnson and
Chris Duncheon.
Advice to
Underclassmen …
Do your homework.
Jeff Watson

2 The Oakwood Times May 18, 2007
20
Justin Wernigk
Favorite OHS
memory … Junior
year playing football
against Carmi.
Plans for next
year … To become a
full time carpenter.
Something we
should know … I
can wiggle my ears.
Advice to
Underclassmen
… Don’t narc on
upperclassmen, it just
causes more trouble.
Dustin White
Favorite OHS memory … Homecoming senior year.
Plans for next year … Apprentice to be an electrician, and start a band.
Something we should know … I helped Coach Denhart shave his
legs.
Advice to Underclassmen … If you have academic abilities, do not
slack. Just do your stuff and graduate.
Favorite OHS memory … Senior picnic at Lake Mingo.
Plans for next year … Parkland.
Something we should know … I am madly in love with Ashley.
Advice to Underclassmen … If you want to take a class you can blow
off, take Spanish or biology.
Breanna Zimmerman
Logan Wilder
No Information
Available

May 18, 2007
21
The Oakwood Times
LOST and FOUND
Although the number of OHS students who walk across the graduation stage will number in the 50s, over the course of the last 12 years there have
been many other classmates who have moved on and are graduating elsewhere this spring. Here is just a sampling of those who have moved away.
Justin Britton
Last year attended Oakwood
Schools ... 5 th Grade.
Current School ... Armstrong HS.
Plans for next year ... Going to
Lakeland College on a baseball
scholarship.
Favorite memory of Oakwood ...
Finally being old enough to play on
the dome.
Something we should know...
I have a tattoo.
Melissa Rotalsky
Last year attended Oakwood
Schools... Freshmen Year.
Current School... Covington HS
Plans for next year... Graduating from
beauty school in August and moving to
Lafayette, then getting an Associate’s
degree in business management at
IBC.
Favorite Memory of Oakwood...
Homecoming, people being crazy, and
the people I went to school with.
Something we should know... I haven’t
changed much, I’m still as ditzy as I
was before.
Kelli Oakwood
Last year attended Oakwood Schools
... 4th grade.
Current School ... Schlarman HS.
Plans for next year ... Attending
Bradley University, majoring in
accounting.
Favorite memory of Oakwood ...
The Halloween dress up parades.
Something we should know ...
The town of Oakwood is named after
an ancestor.
P.J. Sowden
Last year attended Oakwood
Schools ... 5 th Grade.
Current School ... Galva HS.
Plans for next year ... Attending
Olivet Nazarene University and
majoring in P.E.
Favorite memory of Oakwood ...
The people that I went to school with.
Something we should know ... I am a
very strong Christian.

2 The Oakwood Times May 18, 2007
22
Look how we all
have changed!

May 18, 2007
23
The Oakwood Times
Freshman Year
-Homecoming Attendants were
Kristin Denhalter and Cody Divan
-The float theme was Candy, we
recieved 2nd place
-Coach
Wittmann
won his 300th
basketball
game against the Unity Rockets
-The basketball team won the Vermilion
County Championship
-Oakwood made an agreement to co-op
with Armstrong-Potomac in several
sports
Sophomore Year
-Homecoming attendants were
Kayla Palmer and Kenny Reynolds
-The float theme was Elvis Songs
-Miss Dodge coached the first OHS
soccer team
-Dirk Miller took over coaching the
basketball team
-The OAP football team made the
playoffs
-Mrs. Anderson got her 500th win in
Scholastic Bowl
-The cheerleaders got first in the County
Taking a look back at 4 years
Junior Year
-Homecoming attendants were Jenna
Hazelbaker and Kyle Collom
-The float theme was reality game
shows, we did Survivor and the
Powderpuff team was yet to win a
game
Senior Year
-Homecoming Queen candidates were Jessica Burress, Brooke
Eickhoff, Kimber Hawkins, Courtney Keagle, and Laura Lucas.
King candidates were Kyle Collom, Travis Davis, Jacob Duncheon,
Tucker Knight, and Bryce Leeman
-The Journalism staff placed third in
the first IHSA journalism competition
-The Cheerleaders received first in
County the second year in a row
-Prom Princess was Laura Lucas and
Prince was Bryce Leeman
-Jon Heath took over the basketball
team
-Homecoming Queen was Jessica Burress and the King was
Kyle Collom, they were also named DAR and SAR
-The float theme was Movies, we did Casino Royale-James Bond
007
- The new basketball coach was Jesse Johnson

Page-O-Games
Cut out the pieces and put together your favorite senior class!
Class
of
07
Seniors

May 18, 2007
Coach aims for
postseason
successes
By Ashley Sermak
The Comet baseball team has started
performing well at just the right time. With
Regionals nearing the Comets are finally
reaching their goals.
“Being over .500 is always a goal,” said
senior Bryce Leeman.
Not only is the team 11-10, but they
also earned Coach Bob Sermak his 300 th victory
after beating Westville 12-4 on May 3.
“I consider it to be a great honor to be
on the team that got coach his 300 th win,”
said Leeman.
Sermak has been coaching at OHS for
25 years. He has won four Regionals, one
Sectional, and coached one team to the final
four.
“I think the key to his success is discipline.
The kids know when they play for him
what the expectations are,” said former player
and Athletic Director Tim Lee. “His players
learn the behavior expected of them. They
learn how to work hard, setting difficult goals
and working hard to achieve them.”
25
Sermak hits 300
Coach Bob Sermak, far right, and the baseball team celebrate after Sermak’s 300th
baseball victory. Sermak starting coaching the Comets in the 1983 season. (Photo courtesy
of Staci Klayer)
Sermak’s players were excited to see
their coach reach this goal.
“He is a hard coach, but he’s disciplined,”
said Leeman. “He teaches you to respect
the game of baseball.”
Another goal of the Comets is to win
their Regional. The Comets are seeded 11 out
of 23 teams in their Sectional. They will play
the East Central Panthers in their first game
of the Regional, which will be held in Gifford
on Thursday, May 17.
“It feels good to win compared to the
beginning of the year when we struggled,”
said Leeman. “We are hitting better now, and
that gives us confidence going into
Regionals.”
Spring sports winding down their seasons
Softball
Girls Track
Boys Track
The Oakwood Times
Comettes
chosen for
07-08
By Carly Wilson
The 2007-2008 Comettes have
been named and are hoping to have another
successful season.
Next year’s squad will consist of
five girls. These girls will be senior Minda
Pichon, junior Marissa Pichon, sophomore
Victoria Carrington, and freshmen
Katelyn Tellier and Brittany Pascual.
“All of the girls on the squad are
dedicated and we’re all very excited for
this season. I think we’re going to have
a lot of fun,” said Minda Pichon.
The squad will attend the Universal
Dance Association camp at Eastern
Illinois University in June. They will practice
four to five times a week during the
summer to prepare for their upcoming
season.
They will also do a variety of
fundraisers to help offset some of the
expenses throughout the year.
Comette coach Paige Harrison will
return for a second year as the sponsor.
She hopes to return the squad to the
size that it used to be, as last year’s squad
consisted of only three girls.
By Brooke Eickhoff
Softball has had a disappointing year,
but hopes that their hard work pays off in
future years.
“This year has given a lot of our
younger players a lot of playing time and experience
including both our pitchers,” said
softball coach Rick Bough. “Nine out of the
10 that have played the majority of the time
are coming back next year.”
With only a couple of wins under their
belts, the girls are very hopeful that things
can only improve for next year’s season.
“We hope to take a step toward being
.500 or better next year,” said Bough. “And
this is a very reasonable goal.”
Sam Baer, Minda Pichon, and Amanda
Wahlfeldt are three returning junior starters.
Although the record doesn’t exactly
show the improvements the team is making,
the hitting is actually better then last year
across the board.
“We are still learning what it takes to
win at this level,” said Bough.
By Jessica Burress
Now that the girls track season is coming
to an end, the team can look back at everything
that they have accomplished.
On May 11 the girls track team went to
Catlin to compete in the Sectional.
“Each individual has improved into a
better runner and has had a confidence
boost,” said Anderson.
Even though the season isn’t over, the
team has still had some great accomplishments.
Junior Stephanie Denius has broken
records this season including records she set
for herself in previous years.
She broke her own school records in
the 300m low hurdles in a time of 48.8 sec. and
the triple jump record with 35’9.” She also set
the Vermilion Valley Conference and Vermilion
County meet records in the same events.
She also is close to setting the school’s 100m
record.
Sophomore Kayla Corzine has also
done well this season and hopes to go to
State for shot put.
By Joe Lewis
As the year wraps up, the OHS boys
track team can look back on an eventful and
enjoyable season.
“We did pretty well this season, the
numbers could’ve been better but it still went
well,” said head coach Gary Denhart.
With only 18 members, the team won
third place in the County track meet.
“It was great to have assistant coach
Penrod,” said Denhart.
This year was assistant coach Wyatt
Penrod’s first year with the team. Penrod usually
worked with the sprinters and distance
runners, allowing Denhart to work with field
events which had been neglected in previous
years.
Already Denhart is looking forward to
next year.
“This year was fun, I’m looking forward
for next year, I just hope we get a few more
members next year, there is a lot of upperclassman
with talent that could help the
team,” said Denhart.
From left, Victoria Carrington,
Marissa Pichon, Katelyn Tellier and
Brittany Pascual practice in
preparation for Comette tryouts.
Those four and Minda Pichon will
make up next year’s Comette squad.
(Photo byKimber Hawkins)

2 The Oakwood Times May 18, 2007
As I sat down to write my
last column for The Oakwood
Times, I thought about everything
high school was.
It was exciting, fun, stressful,
interesting, difficult, and most
of all memorable.
High school is the perfect
opportunity to make memories
that will last you a lifetime.
I know a lot of underclassmen
are thinking about how
much you hate OHS and how the
girls are mean and the guys are
jerks.
You think you can’t wait to
get out of high school because
college will be so much better.
Likewise, I know a lot of seniors
who can’t wait to graduate. They
have complained about OHS for
four years, and their time to get
away from this place is finally
here.
I think anyone who thinks that is crazy. I love high
school, and I think it is what you make of it. If you go to
school everyday thinking it is the worst thing that has
Don’t Worry, Be Happy!
Loud and
Clear
By Ashley Sermak
26
I’m really going to miss high school
ever happened to you, of course it
is going to stink.
But, if you go to school trying
to make the best of something
you have to do, it will turn out much
better. I know there were days when
I didn’t want to go to school and
didn’t want to get out of bed, but I
tried to make the best of my high
school experience.
I got involved, made a lot of
really good friends, and made memories
that will last me forever.
I will never forget my first
Homecoming pep assembly, and
being in complete shock when the
gym sounded like it was going to
explode, or junior pep assembly
when everyone knew that we were
the REAL winners.
Although school at times was
very stressful, I tried my best to make
it exciting. Like the first time I got an
“A” on one of Mrs. Anderson’s tests, oh wait, I never did.
But it was still a good experience.
Mrs. Steffen, although on her own planet, made sophomore
and senior English something I will never forget.
Can anyone say parmesan
The great times out of school are just as memorable
as the great times in school; like getting pulled over by
the police and never telling my parents. Well, they eventually
found out a few months later, but by then it was too
late for punishment. I will never forget going “forking” in
a yard the size of Texas and not getting caught.
I will admit that I am ready to graduate, and continue
on with my life, but I am going to miss high school.
I will never forget the memories I’ve made, and I hope that
college will be just as great.
I hope all of you who dread coming to school everyday
find something that makes school a little better.
Whether it is playing basketball or taking an art class,
there is always something you can do that will brighten
your day.
I hope you make the best of what is left of your high
school career, because it will literally be over before you
know it.
“There’s a big world out there. Bigger than prom,
bigger than high school, and it won’t matter if you were
the prom queen or the quarterback of the football team
or the biggest nerd. Find out who you are and try not to
be afraid of it.” — Unknown
Just listen to the lyrics and enjoy life as it comes
Bobby McFerrin once wrote a song
entitled, “Don’t Worry, Be Happy.”
The closer it gets to graduation, the
more I believe ol’ Bobby knew what he was
talking ‘bout.
You’ve probably heard this song on
numerous movies and commercials; you’ve
probably even had the tune stuck in your
head: Ooo-oo-hoo-hoo-oo Ooo-hoo-hoohoo-oo-oo
and etc. But
have you ever
actually
thought about
what he’s saying
In the
first verse, he
notes that everyone
will
have problems
in life, but
when you worry too much about those problems,
they become worse.
I have done a lot of learning in the past
18 years – the majority of that being in the
last two. Teenagers overcome, or try to overcome,
a massive amount of stress throughout
high school. Whether it be from home,
work, school, or even friends.
I think too many kids today are worrying
more about their problems than having a
fun and fulfilling life! For example, a few of
the seniors went on a trip to Indianapolis as a
reward for being geniuses. While we were
there we decided to go paintballing!
Before we had gotten to the massive
warehouse
named “Dark
Armies,” all
the girls were
orry-
worried, because
the
boys had already
made
up plots
about who
they were going
to shoot
and where.
None of us knew what we had gotten ourselves
into.
After the paintball war was over, everyone
concurred that despite the minor welts
and bruises, we all had a good time.
Now that I think back on it, the girls
I think too many
kids today are worry-
ing more about their
problems than having
a fun and fulfilling life!
complained quite a bit about being scared,
but in the end we all had fun! I think this a
lesson for everyone: Quit worrying about everything
and
just have fun!
Even
Brandy (remember
that
popular artist
in the 90’s
Yes, her.) sang
a song about
being happy,
entitled you
guessed it,
“Happy.”
Hohn, Solo
This song
talks more
about a guy
making her feel happy, but I don’t think anyone
needs the opposite sex to make them feel
happy.
As I’ve grown into the mature, brilliant,
wonderful, astonishing, (OK, I’m done) young
woman that I am today, I have learned that
only I can make myself happy.
If I am not happy with myself, how do I
expect someone else to make me happy I
can’t. So the only question is: are you happy
with yourself If not, you need to be. :]
Don’t worry about what other people
By
Meghan
Hohn
say about
you or what
they do. Do
what you
want to!
Don’t live an
unhappy life
for any reason!
You
never know
what you
could be
missing if
you just took
the chance.
And if you
have a bad day, it is okay. It won’t be your
first, and it certainly won’t be your last.
When something gets you down keep
enjoying your life and live it to the fullest.
Remind yourself about the good things
in your life. It could always be worse!
Keep good ol’ Bobby’s lyrics in the
back of your mind and remember “Don’t worry,
be happy!” :]

May 18, 2007
From
the
Lips
of
Laura
Recently, while I was sitting at my computer thinking
about just anything that popped in my mind, I thought
of my future and man if it works out how I planned it, my
future is going to be amazing!
I started out thinking about what I’ll do after I graduate.
Well, the first week of June I’m going on my first everfamily
vacation, and I mean family vacation. There are 17
of us going to Cape Cod, and that’s practically every member
of my family. After we get back I’ll do the usual and
get a job and attend DACC this fall. Now here’s where it
get’s really exciting.
After a year at DACC, I’m going to move to California.
I’m going to be one of those “struggling whatever’s”.
After five awesome years of living there I’ll start to realize
that I’ve lived the “California Lifestyle” a little too much.
I will tell a few of my friends, Lindsey, Paris, and Brittany,
goodbye and we will spend our last night on the town
shaving our heads and getting tattoos. Then I will give
up my job of selling maps to celebrity’s houses (which
probably lead you to run off a cliff or something like that)
and return home.
Laura
By Laura Lucas
27
When I arrive back home my parents
are going to be happy to see me.
I’ll have lots of little brothers and sisters
running around because my mom
always said when I left the house she
was going to a third world country and
adopt lots of kids.
I’ll call up a couple of friends,
Ashley Edington (ED), Chelsey
DeYoung (ChelDog), Kyle Paul Collom
(Kypalcom), Josh, Dixie, and Megan
Beck (Betty), and we’ll go to the OTP
and I’ll tell them how California was
amazing and how I want to go back.
I’ll stay at home for four months,
unemployed of course, because I made
a million dollars selling maps, and I’ll
be talking to ED one late night. We’ll discuss some inventions
we thought of at Pizza Hut during a Journalism competition.
We decide that we could really make a lot of money off
our inventions so ED will move back to California with me
The Oakwood Times
Look around seniors because we’ll never be together again
Now I don’t want to write another sad
farewell column, but I would like to reminisce
on my high school years, and offer my advice
for the underclassmen to take or to leave.
My high school experience was, well
… interesting. I am not going to say I loved
every second of high school, but I definitely
didn’t hate it all either. High school is a learning
experience that should not be ignored.
I look back at the Homecomings, pep
assemblies, long discussions about life,
cheerleading, late night truck stop visits, and
my life-long friends that I am soon going to
leave forever. I have had a blast being my
funny self thoughout high school. It has definitely
hit me that it’s all about to come to an
end.
I will always remember what my grade
school music teacher told us once in a music
class. She said that when you guys are seniors
in high school on graduation day look
around. That day is going to be the last day
ever that your class as a whole will be together.
We have reunions, and all of that, but
people will die, move away, or just not come
back. If you think about it, it’s scary to think
that some of the kids that you have grown up
with all of your life you will never see again.
All the teachers and students at OHS
are unique individuals that I am very glad
that I’ve gotten to know. I’m going to miss
everyone and everything, but I’m ready to
grow up.
So to all of the underclassman, make
sure you make your decisions wisely. Don’t
let the little fights with your friends ruin your
friendships. High school boyfriends and girlfriends
aren’t a life or death situation. Be careful
about the decisions that you make not
only in school, but outside of it also.
I never thought that I was going to
care if I was going to get to go on the Senior
Picnic or not, but I had a blast. That was one
of the last memories that I will have with some
of my friends from OHS.
As a senior, you get many privileges
for the sacrifices that you have made throughout
your high school years. When those last
few weeks of senior year come around, all
you want to do is spend your last few moments
at OHS with the people that helped
shaped your life.
Though high school might not be the
best years of your life, try to make the best of
them. So although I am going to miss OHS,
it’s time to move on.
As the quote says “All good things
must come to an end,” and it’s time for my
high school years to end.
My future has already been carefully planned out
Little Drummer Girl
along with Cheldog and Kypalcom.
I can not disclose what the inventions
are because you will steal our
ideas and then we will sue you,
but what I will tell you is that our
inventions are so amazing. We will
make billions upon billions upon
billions of dollars. We will be bigger
than Google and Donald
Trump. Cheldog will become a famous
actress and Kypalcom will
be the President of the world.
ED and I will eventually
settle down. ED and Betty will get
in a fight because ED marries
Channing Tatum and that forces
Betty to move back to Illinois. I
will marry Josh Groban and live happily ever after.
Yes, this column is pointless and so not true, BUT
you should all take Journalism class your junior year.
By Jessica Burress
The Oakwood Times is a student-produced medium of
information published by the OHS journalism class. The
Oakwood Times will not be reviewed or restrained by school
administrators prior to publication. Advisers may coach and
discuss content during the writing process.
Because school officials do not engage in prior review,
the content is determined by and reflects only the views of the
student staff and not school officials or the school itself. The
editorial board and responsible student staff members assume
complete legal and financial liability for the content of the
publication.
The Oakwood Times will not publish any material determined
by student editors or the editorial board to be unprotected,
that is, material that is libelous, obscene, disruptive of
the school process, an unwarranted invasion of privacy, a violation
of copyright law or services unlawful to minors. Letters
to the editor should be 300 words or less and contain the
author’s name and signature. All submissions may be checked
for verification.
Oakwood High School
5870 U.S. Route. 150
Fithian, IL 61844
Volume 22
Issue 9
May 18, 2007
Editors in Chief
Managing Editor
Copy Editor
Business Manager
Photo Editor
Editorial Director
Reporters
Advisor
Jenna Hazelbaker
Erin Pouilliard
Kimber Hawkins
Brooke Eickhoff
Ashley Sermak
Jena Foley
Laura Lucas
Jessica Burress
Eric Brazelton
Ashley Edington
Meghan Hohn
Tucker Knight
Joe Lewis
Carly Wilson
Mr. Tim Lee

Page-O-Games
Can you find all 52 seniors
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BROOKEEICKHOFF
BRYCELEEMAN
CHELSEYDEYOUNG
CODYDIVAN
CORTNEYKEAGLE
DUSTINWHITE
ELISHALEE
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ERICBRAZELTON
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JACOBDUNCHEON
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JBOWENS
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JENNAHAZELBAKER
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JESSICASHAW
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LAURALUCAS
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TABATHACOSTIGAN
THIAMICHAEL
TRAVISDAVIS
TRENTLUSTIG
TUCKERKNIGHT