School News

Lunch on the lawn

Chrisman Elementary is hosting Lunch on the Lawn from 11:10 – 11:45 a.m. Wednesday, Sept. 20, at Centennial Park for grandparents and special guests of students who are enrolled there. …

Community involvement is key

Key Club is an organization for students interested in getting involved in their community. The club is a national organization, with branches across the country.  Kiwanis is the parent …

Manners on display

The students at Carolyn Wenz Elementary School are preparing to practice their best manners while being served a scrumptious catered dinner by local celebrities. Ms. Cindy’s Dine and Dance …

We didn't start the fire

The AP chemistry class at Paris High school did something illuminative under the guidance of teacher Brett Block. An outdoors lab Tuesday evening, Sept. 12, was the appropriate setting for an …

Paris 95 issues new statement, receives hefty pay-back proposal from ISBE

During an open session on Sept. 11, 2023, Paris Union School District 95 board president Kevin Knoepfel issued a statement regarding the district’s corrective action plan and the current …

Going to the mattress for PHS

The Paris High School band is hosting its second annual Mattress fundraising event 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Oct. 1. Paris High School will once again be transformed into a showroom where 30 mattresses …

Interact club makes impact

Interact is a Paris High School extracurricular program that has been in place for nine years.   Sponsors Maryann Stallings and Tammy Pittenger have anywhere between 30 and 40 kids …

Surprise one-time payment for Chrisman from the state of Illinois

CHRISMAN – Chrisman Community Unit School District #6 will receive a one-time payment of $27,338 because Illinois did not meet per-pupil Maintenance of Equity funding requirements. …

Chrisman High/Junior High School receives numerous improvements

CHRISMAN – School is in session, and Chrisman High/Junior High School looks a little different on the inside. Community Unit School District #6 (CUSD6) worked diligently over summer break …

Beacon Brigade Starts Over for the New Season

The Paris Highschool Beacon Brigade lost a number of seniors and experience when the class of 2023 graduated. Leaving both the directors and members to rebuild this year's show. Beacon Brigade …

Shiloh begins with positivity

HUME – The school year is officially underway in Community Unit School District 1. The Shiloh school board met Monday, Aug. 21, to discuss various updates, projects and expenses arriving with …

Having fun isn’t hard with a library card

Crestwood (Paris School District #4) and the Paris Carnegie Library have joined forces to ensure children from all backgrounds receive equal access to literature. Ceili Boylan stepped into her …

Shiloh is starting off strong

HUME — It’s a homecoming of sorts for Deputy Ryan Washburn. The Shiloh High School graduate is returning to his alma mater as the district’s school resource officer (SRO). This …

PHS board approves repairs

Changes are coming to the Paris High School greenhouse. “The fire department has been called to the greenhouse three times,” said PHS Principal Mark Cox. “There was a new …

Kansas BOE opts not to change policy

KANSAS — The Kansas Board of Education is holding to the status quo largely upon advice from legal counsel and insurance consultants. District superintendent Cindy Spender laid two issues …

Paris 95 provides updates in first meeting of new school year

Approval of an e-learning plan, additional hires to fill classrooms and an update of the district’s corrective action occupied the Paris Union School District 95 school board at the Aug. 14 …

Keys takes a seat on Crestwood Board of Education

Beth Keys accepted a seat on the Crestwood Board of Education Wednesday, Aug. 9, filling the vacancy left when Danielle Colvin resigned to accept the Crestwood Girls Basketball Coach job. Keys was …
Shiloh improves playground, students had a say in the design

Work hard, play harder

HUME — Shiloh Elementary and Junior High School students will be excited for school’s return when they see what has happened during summer break. New playground features, including …

Paris 95 names new Memorial principal

After more than a month of searching, Paris Union School District 95 found its new principal for Memorial Elementary School. Lucy Tarr begins her tenure as principal Aug. 1. In a special meeting …

Changes in Kansas

KANSAS — Change was the main theme for the Kansas Board of Education meeting, but it was nothing out of the ordinary. The school board met Wednesday, July 19, and approved two board policy …

Shiloh school board discusses updaes

HUME – With the dawn of a new school year just a month away, the Shiloh Community Unit School District 1 board held an extensive meeting on Monday, July 17, to discuss updates on a variety of …

District 95 tackles corrective action plan in Larson's absence

The Paris 95 School Board met for the first time since federal agents searched the home of Jeremy Larson, the district’s Superintendent of Schools. Interim Superintendent Lorraine Bailey …

Luth named Farm Credit Agriculture Scholar

MAHOMET — Kelsey Luth, of Hume, was recognized as one of 30 members of the class of 2023 Farm Credit Illinois (FCI) agriculture scholars during a luncheon at Carriage House Event Center in …

PHS Board approves new insurance

The Paris High School Board met Monday, June 26, with one thing on the agenda – approving the renewal of insurance. The new insurance premium raised more than 40% from last year going from …

Kansas waives registration fees, school supplies

KANSAS — Parents in the Kansas school district are getting a surprise financial reprieve. The board of education voted Wednesday, June 28, to waive registration fees for the 2023-2024 …

Chrisman School board swears in seventh member

CHRISMAN – Chrisman Board of Education president Jim Spesard swore in the board’s seventh member at the regular scheduled board meeting Monday, June 19. Shelly Good’s appointment …

Crestwood makes changes to board, staff

Crestwood board of education member Danielle Colvin resigned her position after approval of being hired as the school’s head girls basketball coach. In other business at the June 14 board …

Eads earns scholarship

Shiloh BOE discusses co-op changes

HUME —  Football, or the lack of it, was a main topic of discussion at the Shiloh Board of Education meeting. Shiloh participates in the Tri-County sports cooperative and each school …

Paris 95 places Larson on leave

After a relatively quiet week, more information concerning District 95 Superintendent of Schools Jeremy Larson is now available. According to a letter distributed to The Prairie Press and signed …

$3.24 million misplaced, misused

Shock and confusion permeated Edgar County after FBI agents searched the home of Paris Union School District 95 Superintendent and Memorial Elementary principal Jeremy Larson on Tuesday, June 13. …

$3.24 million in "unallowable" costs identified in Paris Superintendent case

After a team of FBI agents searched the home of Paris Union School District 95 Superintendant Jeremy Larson on Tuesday, June 13, the Illinois State Board of Education released a statement identifying …

FBI searches Paris home

FBI agents searched a home in Paris on Tuesday, June 13.  The operation took place just before noon. Federal agents were seen entering the home carrying cases and evidence tags. The agents …

Crestwood promotes three sets of twins

For nine years, Crestwood school teachers could be excused for thinking they needed their eyes checked, but they were truly seeing double with three sets of twins in the same grade level. The …

Chrisman finalizes reforming

CHRISMAN – Cody Denton was elected as CUSD #6 Board secretary filling the last vacant position on the Chrisman Board of Education during the regular board meeting Monday, May 15. In other …

Graduation will be held at high school

“I would like to announce officially that graduation will be held here,” said PHS principal Mark Cox at the regular PHS board meeting Monday, May 8. Cox explained the contractors …

Kansas school board takes on a lot

KANSAS — HUDL was a main point of discussion during the Wednesday, May 10, Kansas Community Unit School District #3 Board of Education meeting. The HUDL program takes sports games …

Town meeting reviews high school grading scale

There are changes coming to the grading system at Paris Cooperative High School, but the changes will not affect current students. Implementation begins with the class of 2027 which are the freshman …

Reed living for the chance to help others

Paris High School senior Alyssa Reed has grown up always wanting to help those in need. “I think it is a good way to connect with people,” said Reed. “Helping people make their …

Safeguards for children

(Editor’s Note: This story is the second of a two-part series on school safety in Edgar County. The first installment covered Paris-Union School District 95, Community Unit School District 4 …

Carroll is state director for Illinois Principals Association

Megan Carroll, principal at Carolyn Wenz Elementary School, was recently selected as a State Director for the Illinois Principals Association. “This esteemed appointment is a testament to …

Crestwood BOE says goodbye to longtime members

The Crestwood Board of Education said goodbye to two longtime standing members of their board at the Monday, May 2 meeting. Keith Trogdon and Jared Dyer did not seek reelection to the board and …

Morris believes variety is the spice of life

When a child finds a passion for a subject, such as sports, it is all they do, but Mayo eighth-grader Mia Morris believes focusing on one thing is limiting. “I love all kinds of …

Templeton wants to go green

Paris High School Senior Will Templeton already has a sense of what he has been called to do in life. “At the U of I, I will be studying chemistry,” said Templeton. “I want to …

Sweet dreams of the day his name is called

Crestwood eighth grader Skylar Sweet’s positive outlook has him reaching for the stars. “My lifelong goal is to hear my name called at the NFL draft,” said Sweet. For the …

Shiloh school board reorganizes in special meeting

HUME — The Shiloh school board met in special session Monday, April 24, to reorganize and say goodbye to departing board president Dave Smith. Smith opted not to seek reelection. …

May Fete Court Announced

PHS announced this year’s May Fete Court. May Fete is 8 p.m. Friday, May 5, at Eveland Gymnasium. Doors open to the public at 6:30 p.m. Pictured left to right are front row, Queen nominees, …

Calhoun finds family bond in athletics

When someone asks a young student who their role model is the answer is generally someone famous but not Andre Calhoun. “My role model is my dad,” said Crestwood eighth grader Calhoun. …

Paris 95 welcomes new members

Wednesday, April 26, marked the beginning of a new era for Paris Union School District 95. The Paris 95 Board of Education waved one final goodbye to former members Amy Isaf and Jamey Littleton …

Paris is where Wilson wants to be

Some junior high kids think they are anxious to leave Paris, but Mayo seventh grader Gracie Wilson wants to stay here for the long haul. “When I grow up, I want to teach little kids here …

Paris senior will be trading the prairie for mountains

PCHS senior Hayden David grew up in Paris, and he is ready for a change of scenery after graduation. “I am going to Slippery Rock University in Slippery Rock, Pennsylvania,” said …

Kansa BOE approves safety upgrade

KANSAS — A brief report by Kansas Community Unit School District #3 Principal Tiffany Huisinga resulted in new and more secure glass door inserts. Huisinga met with a representative of …

Doran living in the moment

Many students focus on what they want to do when they grow up their whole life, but not Mayo eighth grader Aliyah Doran. “I am not sure where I’ll be in 10 or 15 years,” said …

Cochran dreams of NFL career

Crestwood eighth grader Carter Cochran has played football for most of his life and hopes he can continue to play it for the rest of his life. “It’s all I know,” said Cochran. …

Reaching for the stars

Maelynn Redmon is a senior at Paris High School and believes this year has pushed her to reach things she never thought she could do. “This year is going very good so far. I’ve been …

Worthington wins scholarship

Every year Taco Bell awards three high school senior employees nationwide through the Live Más Scholarship Fund and Paris High School senior Seth Worthington was one of the $10,000 scholarship …

Chrisman denounces bullying

CHRISMAN – The Chrisman Board of Education meeting Monday, April 17, was dominated by parent concerns. “There is bullying going on in the school,” said Chrisman resident Pam …

Shiloh wants school resource officer

HUME — With the school year drawing to a close, members of the Shiloh Community Unit School District (CUSD) 1 school board discussed a number of changes, updates and the upcoming restructuring …

Theater offers new path for Tegeler

Before his senior year, Mason Tegeler would have never said he was going to college to earn a degree in theater, but thanks to Paris Cooperative High School teachers pushing him out of his comfort …

It's the farming life for Walls

Mayo seventh grader Sarah Walls is ready for school to end so she can get to work farming. “I’ve always grown up around farms,” said Walls. “My uncle (Billy Sollars) …

Martin is ready for end of year

Crestwood eighth grader Alyssa Martin is ready for the class end-of-year trip. “I am really looking forward to the trip at the end of the year,” said Martin. “We are going. To …

Community supports families

  A Family Resource Night 4-7 p.m. April 20 at Crestwood School is the place to learn about the resources available in Paris, with an emphasis on battling the drug and alcohol problem …

There is nothing Keen dislikes about high school

Teenagers commonly have something negative to say about high school, but not the case for PCHS student Gage Keen. “There really isn’t anything I dislike about school,” said …

Frank ready for what the future brings

Mayo eighth-grade student Maddie Frank is a planner who has mapped out her future already. “I want to go to Purdue because from what I’ve been told their pharmacy program is …

Englum loves to wreak Havoc

When it comes to extracurricular activities only one matters to Crestwood eighth grader Kenzie Englum. “I love basketball. It is my favorite,” said Englum. “That’s all I …

White loves both school and robotics

Shayn White’s memories of Crestwood center on his time in the robotics club. White is part of several extracurricular activities including the Fellowship of Christian Athletes, ecology, track, …

Delacruz is ready to change it up

Selena Delacruz is named after famous Mexican American Singer Selena Gomez and although Delacruz does sing in the choir, her favorite subject in school is science. “Last year we had a science …

PCHS senior seeks next step

The school year is in the fourth quarter and graduation is approaching. PCHS senior Greta Hall is aware of it and is filling out many scholarship applications preparing for next year. “My senior …

Hayes loves running, music and friends

Many kids today are glued to a phone or video games, but Mayo eighth grader Harrison Hayes breaks that mold daily with his love of running, playing music and hanging with his friends. At Mayo, …

Coombes prepares for change

Crestwood eighth grader Morgan Coombes puts herself at the top of the list for being competitive. “I am extremely competitive, especially with my sister,” said Coombes. “When we …

Taylor headed to U of I to capture a dream

At an early age, PHS senior Mytchel Taylor visited the University of Illinois (U of I) campus often and made it his goal to one day be a student there. Next school year, Taylor’s dream comes …

Pruiett ready for high school

London Pruiett is an eighth grader at Mayo Middle School and loves every minute of every day but is ready to move  to the next level. “I get to go to high school next year,” said …

Life goes on after high school graduation

Not many people can say they have had the same group of friends their whole life, but Paris High School Senior Seth Worthington can, and to him, that has been one of the best parts of going to …

Hutchings leaving more than records at Crestwood

Madox Hutchings has played baseball, basketball and been in track all three years of his junior high career. Hutchings won state last year in the long jump setting a new school record at 17 feet 11 …

Spelling is fun for some

To most students spelling is just a part of schoolwork, but to Crestwood eighth-grader Maddie Wheeler-Rhoads, spelling has been a big part of the fun in her life for four years. Former Crestwood …

Crestwood staff changes

The Crestwood Board of Education accepted the resignation of literature teacher Amy McClain and girls basketball coach Missy Tingley at the monthly meeting Wednesday, March 8. The board hired …

Fonner cruises through junior high

Nathan Fonner has found balance in schoolwork and extracurricular activities by maintaining honor roll grades while blazing up the cross-country courses. At first glance, Fonner appears a  …

Following in family’s footsteps in school proves to be easy

Crestwood eighth grader Kailey Young follows in family tradition at Crestwood while making her own mark. Young plays two sports at Crestwood, volleyball and basketball, the latter of which she has …

Senior year has been highlight of high school

Paris Highschool senior Claire Young has prepared for a bright future by showing what hard work and determination can accomplish. Young has spent her four years at PHS staying busy. She has been …

Hellie Barrett not your average 12-year old

Many 12-year-old children spend their first year as a middle school student adjusting to change. They go from sitting in the same classroom with the same teacher all day as elementary students to …

Crestwood athlete hopes to continue career for many years

Many junior high athletes hope for long careers in the sport they love. After her accomplishments this year on the diamond, Emma Kraemer aspires to continue in high school and in a Division I …

Jacie Young finds love in sports

Jacie Young is a humble eighth grader who lives life one sport at a time. She fell in love with sports and plays softball, basketball and volleyball for the Crestwood Eagles and loves every minute of …