Sold!

Learning to Do. Doing to Learn. Earning to Live. Living to Serve. This is what the Eureka Future Farmers of America do. The FFA hosted their annual Labor Auction on Thursday, September 12 at the Reel Sale Barn in Congerville. The Auction started off with a hog roast and silent auction at 5:30 p.m. Then the live auction started at 7:00 p.m. FFA members were sold for eight hours of work to the highest bidders. The FFA auctioned off 69 students and a variety of donated items, ranging from plants to shop equipment and t-shirts. At the end of the night, they sold the new AG teacher, Ms. Amanda McClure, to finish the event. It was a great way to round off the night. The FFA would like to thank all the buyers and donors for their generous support of the Eureka FFA chapter. The FFA is grateful for all the people who helped make it possible. The money raised will be used for CDE’s, conventions, local events, meetings, and for the end of the year banquet. Thanks again, all!

Written by: Senior Phil Schmidgall, Journalism staff
Edited by: Junior Olivia Robinson, FFA reporter

All FFA members group together for a snapshot in the auction ring.

Junior Aaron Schmidgall is SOLD!

No Place Like Home

The Hornet's football team will be playing on familiar turf this Friday, September 13 as they come into the week (1-1) with their nail-biting win against Rantoul High School. The Hornets are looking forward to beating their upcoming opponents, the Mahomet-Seymour Bulldogs, as they come to Eureka undefeated. With only a day until game time, Senior Offensive Tackle Alex Evans said, “If we keep confidence in each other and focus in practice, and as long as the defense and offense get the job done, we will surely give them a run for the money. We just have to treat them as every other team, and play hard.” Fellow senior and Middle Linebacker R.J. Lorenz said, “As long as we play the full four quarters, it will be a good game.” The freshman team will start at 5:00 p.m., and the varsity will play at 7:00 p.m. Come and support the EHS football team, and enjoy the open concessions as the EHS booster club will be there to cook those always delicious and flavor blasting pork chops and other goodies.

Written by: Senior Garrett Cadieu, Journalism staff

Hornets "Shock the Nation"

This past Friday night, September 6, the EHS football team traveled to Rantoul and played one heck of a game. Though the papers predicted a Eureka loss, the team pulled ahead early in the first half with a 15-7 score at halftime. EHS Senior Daniel Johnson and Roanoke-Benson Senior Lane Henkins both ran the ball in for a touchdown in the first half. After half-time, the Rantoul Eagles scored, making it a close, 15-13 game. During the duration of the fourth quarter, Hornet fans were on the edge of their seats hoping that their team could keep their lead. With less than three minutes left in the game, the ball was in the Eagles' possession. In three consecutive plays, Eureka's defense fought hard to hold the Eagles behind the ten yard line. The Eagles, in an attempt to win the game, lined-up for a field goal. The Hornets were not prepared to lose, though. Right after the Eagles kicked, EHS Senior RJ Lorenz blocked the ball allowing the Hornets to ease into a victory. The crowd went wild! Senior Geoffrey Miller said, “Without that block, we might not have won the game. A wave of relief washed over me right after the play ended.” The Hornets now have a record of 1-1 and will be continuing their season with their first home game this Friday the 13th starting at 7 p.m. against the Bulldogs of Mahomet-Seymour.

Written by: Senior Kylie Alwood, Journalism staff
Photos by: Kylie Alwood

Hornet offense gets set to make a play.

Coach Eric Seim, Sophomore Andrew Hoelscher 

 and Juniors Brett Charlton and Dustin Brandon

watch as the offense moves the ball.r

Giving the Hornets their play, #4 Lane Henkins leads the huddle.

IVC'n Ya!

Taking the field, a shut-out is what the RBE Varsity Soccer team was hoping for. Turns out, a shut-out is just what they got on Thursday, September 5. In the chilly air, they pulled an amazing game, earning what they deserved and making it seem like a breeze. Junior Seth Rieke said, “In the cool air, the whole team plays better.” And compared with the heat from a game before, it sure felt cool. The temperature was just right for both players and fans. Sophomore Bailey Bachman scored one of four goals, helping them to a 4-0 victory against Illinois Valley Central. The JV team played a great game also. Freshman Daniel Grady scored an amazing goal from a tough corner kick and ended the game with a 1-0 win. When asked what the best part about the team was, Junior Mckenzie Funk said, “We never give up, and no matter what, we always have a good time.” If you haven’t been able to make a game yet, come out Monday, September 16 for another home game.

Written by: Junior Abby Shoemaker and Senior Hannah Ogg, Journalism staff

Find a Helping Hand--Eureka FFA Annual Labor Auction

Looking for someone to take care of your yard or babysit all while supporting a good cause? On September 12, 2013, the Eureka FFA chapter will be hosting their annual Labor Auction. At the Labor Auction, FFA members advertise their skills and volunteer to work eight hours doing various jobs for the highest bidder. Various items donated by local business will be on the live and silent auction. This is a great way to support the FFA and get some work done around the house and farm. All proceeds support the numerous Eureka FFA activities throughout the year. The FFA would like to invite everyone to the Reel Sale Barn in Congerville, IL. The evening will begin with a hog roast starting at 5:30 p.m. followed by a live and silent auction starting at 7:00 p.m. Thank you to everyone who has donated and bought FFA members in the past. We look forward to seeing familiar and new faces this year!

Written by: Junior Olivia Robinson, FFA reporter

Another Two in the Bag

The second game of the season came and went for the EHS volleyball team, and they brought it strong. Only letting the middle match go to El Paso, the girls fought back and won on Monday, September 2. Eureka and El Paso compete against one another only once a year, and every year, it’s a neck-and-neck game. Marcey Hunt, a spectator at Monday’s game, commented, “El Paso loves to come beat us, and we love to go over there and beat them.” The rivalry between Eureka and El Paso isn’t anything new. Varsity Coach Tracy Heffren has been coaching these Eureka girls for five years, and she said, “Every year has been a battle.” The rivalry goes all the way back to middle school. With every match, though, they “fight all the way to the end,” said Coach Heffren after Monday’s game. Junior Haley Rokey, a varsity player, said, “We are odd, but that makes it interesting. We’re working well together.” And these ladies certainly are working well and playing well together. Both teams also won last night's game, Thursday, September 5, against Tremont, and their next home game is Tuesday, September 17 against Rantoul with a Freshman 5:00 p.m. start time. Come support the Lady Hornets.

Written by: Junior Quincy McSweeney, Journalism editor

Photos by: Quincy McSweeney

Freshman Lauren Rokey lays down a spike.

Preparing to beat El Paso, the Lady Hornets huddle and listen intently to Coach Heffren.

Juniors Haley Rokey and Kylie Davis jump for a double block.

A large crowd watches as the Lady Hornets beat El Paso.

The World's Biggest Food Fight

Ready, set, TOMATINA! Last Friday, August 30, Mrs. Axelson’s Spanish III class celebrated the annual Tomatina event with water balloons! La Tomatina is an event that takes place in Bunol, Spain, during the first Wednesday in August. The event started in 1945 and involves 20 thousand people throwing 90 thousand rotten tomatoes at each other.“It was fun just getting to experience what people do in other countries,” said Junior Allison Hunt. The event is kicked off every year by having a race to see who can touch a pig first. Wait, though! There’s a twist! This...deceased...pig, is placed on the top of a greased pole that stands over 20 feet tall! Whoever reaches the pig first gets to throw the first tomato, and the World’s Biggest Food Fight will commence! For obvious reasons, Mrs. Axelson’s class uses water balloons instead of rotten tomatoes; although Hunt thought it would have been a lot of fun if they got to throw real tomatoes. “It was a great way to start off the year,” Senior Ashton Matthews commented, “and it was a lot of fun!”

Written by: Senior Darci Eastman, Journalism staff

Photos by: Mrs. Axelson

The Tomatina balloons await to be thrown.

Successfully staying dry, Allison Hunt gives a thumbs-up while a soaked Alex Millett looks dejected.

The class is action with Junior Bridgette Davey ready to attack!

Lady Hornets Open Strong

First game jitters were nowhere to be found in the Lady Hornets as they opened their season this past weekend at EHS. The volleyball team broke out their new uniforms to take on seven other teams in the Eureka Invitational. Eureka went 3-0 in pool play and stung their way to the championship game to play a very talented Illinois Valley Central team. The Hornets lost in a very intense three set match to take home a well-earned second place. Senior Darci Eastman was very excited about the season opener. “I think as long as we all keep up our intensity, our season is going to go really well this year,” said Eastman. Senior Kylie Alwood added, “We started off very well, but we do need to improve on staying positive and keeping our heads up when things don’t go quite right.” Come out and watch your Lady Hornets this fall, and cheer them on to a winning season. Their next home game is this Thursday, September 5 against Tremont with an early 6:30 varsity start time.

Written by: Seniors Connor Steffen and Kody Silverthorn, Journalism staff