“It's really an honor to be chosen for ILMEA,” says senior OTHS band and choir musician Bethany Polega. “It's all people selected who just really care for music and have a deep passion for it, me included.”
Students preparing for the video-recorded ILMEA audition study and rehearse the music on their own. “You get the audition pieces in May,” senior band member Zulee Moreland explained. “Then you just kind of practice it over and over. We're all just trying to get better.” After a successful audition process, Moreland is looking forward to participating in her fourth ILMEA festival.
“Mostly this is a testament to the students' individual work,” says OTHS choir director Ali Stachowicz. “We do not use any curricular class time. We are preparing for our other community-facing concerts. So, this is the students and their hard work that gets them there.”
The practice and hard work culminate in a day-long intensive course of musical direction and performances. “These are vocal leaders and instrumental leaders,” says Stachowicz. “They are in a room of 200 vocal leaders. So, it's a very different rehearsal experience. Everyone has a lot of investment in it. I think that's a positive rehearsal experience, and you can gain a lot from that.”
“There's hundreds of people with different voices all singing at once,” says OTHS choir student Shelby Domoleczny. “Somehow, in the little time we have, we all come together, and it's like we're singing as one voice. It's just kind of mesmerizing.”
“Between the concert band, orchestra and jazz, I have 18 kids who will be participating over the next 2 weekends, which is definitely on the bigger side for us,” says OTHS band director Andrew Jacobi. He attributes the strength of the music program in the Ottawa Elementary School district to the growing number of OTHS students selected for the ILMEA District events. “I had several freshmen try out this year, and a couple of them made it. It is definitely a significant step to go from the middle school to the high school audition, but the kids are eager and excited to do it, and I think it just shows that there's a lot of great music, teaching, and enthusiasm in our area.”
For some musicians like choir student Robert Murphy, participating in the ILMEA festival foreshadows his ambitions beyond high school. “Doing ILMEA with all these just talented individuals together,” says Murphy, “it really gives me an insight of kind of what I want choir to be like in college.”
The following OTHS musicians head to the Quad Cities on Saturday November 8th for the ILMEA District 2 Choir and Band Festival at Augustana College and the Orchestra Festival at Moline High School:
Senior Band:
Atlas Brown
Aries Brown
Amy Budnick
Landon Fritz
Raidynn Fuller
Brennen Heaver
Margaret Jones
Zulee Moreland
Logan Olson
Evelin Olvera
Zadie Ortiz
Olivia Power
Dylan Sovero
Charlie Thiry
Senior Chorus:
Shelby Domoleczny
Cameron Dumke
Tyler Frazer
Noah Logan
Marylou McCain
Robert Murphy
Maggie Wiegman
Senior Orchestra:
Chloe Carmona
Hallee Loza
Bethany Polega
The following students head to Galesburg Junior / Senior High School for the ILMEA District Jazz Festival on Saturday November 15th:
Senior Jazz Band:
Noah Logan - Jazz Band I
Zulee Moreland - Jazz Band I
Brennen Heaver - Jazz Band II
Vocal Jazz:
Marylou McCain - Vocal Jazz I
Daphne Northrip - Vocal Jazz II
Maggie Wiegman - Vocal Jazz II
Stisser, a senior at OTHS, is the daughter of Brad and Kelly Stisser of Ottawa. She is a graduate of Shepherd Middle School.
Stisser is a standout athlete at OTHS, competing at the varsity level in both volleyball and basketball. She is also a doCHANGE peer mentor, a member of the student council, a coach for “Volley for Tots” program, an inductee in the OTHS Honors Society and an active community volunteer.
“Throughout all the community service I have been a part of,” says Stisser, “the one where my impact spoke the loudest to me is the Christmas dinner for those in need. My basketball program volunteers every year, and it always sticks with me how grateful and friendly these community members are.”
She says receiving the award was not a goal, but rather a validation. “It's almost like a payoff of all the work you put in for 3 or 4 years,” she explained after receiving notice she was this year’s OTHS recipient. “You get the validation of doing the right thing, keep doing it.”
Stisser “keeps doing it” even while dealing with adversity.
“This summer I broke my ankle and tore two ligaments and had to have surgery. So, I was out for around 5 months, and it was really difficult, but it definitely allowed me to grow more personally, and it made me be able to realize the kind of person I wanted to be – to be able to support others.”
After finishing her last season of volleyball, she is ready to head back to the basketball court for her senior year in Kingman Gym, with an outlook for the future.
“I'm gonna play college basketball.”
Stisser recently announced her commitment to play for Blackhawk College in Moline, Illinois, where she plans to complete a 2-year educational program on the path to a teaching degree in physical education. “I'm hoping to get recruited and transfer out to play at a 4-year (college) afterwards, so definitely a big goal right there.”
Stisser recently completed a timed written essay in the next phase of the award competition. Other honored students from schools throughout the area compete for a scholarship, with the winner from the local DAR chapter announced at a December luncheon at the Reddick Mansion in Ottawa celebrating all the honorees.
The OTHS DAR Good Citizenship Award program is sponsored by the Illini Chapter of the National Society of the Daughters of the American Revolution, which is a “non-profit, non-political women's service organization dedicated to promoting patriotism, preserving American history, and securing America's future through better education for children.”
Seniors Yaqueline Hernandez-Solis and Zulee Moreland were crowned doubles champions at the IHSA Class 1A Sectional held at the Henderson / Guenther tennis courts at Ottawa Township High School October 16th and 17th, while seniors Brooklyn Byone and Riley Harsted placed 4th.
As the four competitors and coaches Steve Johnson and Tracy Payne O’Fallon prepare for State Championship matches held in Wheeling and Hoffman Estates, Illinois this week, they shared their thoughts about the road to reaching a crowning achievement of their high school athletic careers.
What were your goals for the tennis season this year?
Brooklyn Byone: “Me and Riley were doubles partners, so we agreed early on in the year that we wanted to go to state - that was our goal. So all season, we've been working towards it. So knowing that we qualified at all is really exciting.”
Yaqueline Hernandez-Solis: “We really knew we were going to state. We already had it in our minds since our winter practices. Our goal is just to last as long as possible. That's truly our main goal.”
Steve Johnson, Coach: “The beginning of the year goal is to get as good as you can get in the amount of time that you have. The success comes after the hard work.”
How do you honor the tennis tradition at OTHS?
Rylee Harsted: “Stepping onto that court, it's just an honor to be able to do that, and even being able to meet the people that it's named after (Tom Henderson / Lyle Guenther), like, he (Guenther) comes to most of our matches. He'll come and sit in our practices and he'll watch us and he'll talk to us and just being able to speak with him and have him even gives us a confidence boost.”
How do you prepare for the IHSA State Championship?
Zulee Moreland: “Tennis is a lot like fishing… in the sense that you have to go in with a plan. They’re both really strategic and then you have to be patient. You're not gonna get a snag every time, but once you've seen the opportunity, you have to attack. And, well, it might not work every single time, but the more you do it, the better you're gonna get at it.”
Riley Harsted: “Big challenge - not getting in your head. Tennis is such a mental game. But that's with every sport. And I feel like most of the time in tennis, it's you versus yourself. And having to overcome that more than versing your opponent.”
Are there different challenges preparing for the level of competition at the State Championship?
Zulee Moreland: “If they're out for blood, we have to be out for bone. You want to win, they want to win. We have to go out and attack, so play aggressive, be confident because everyone there is going to be nervous too. You know, we all want to win, but we're not sure who our competition's gonna be. So you just have to be confident. I think that's the main thing.”
Brooklyn Byone: “I feel like the hardest part is, feeling qualified to go to state and knowing all those other girls are so good, and it's us versus them, but we made it there. We're the same, on the same level as them, so we have to play like it. So just being there mentally, knowing that we have the skill to compete.”
Yaqueline Hernandez-Solis: “I've been working really hard for a whole entire year. And it does give me a drive to show I've been working as hard as you. I can do it too. I can give you a run for your money too.”
What would you consider to be a successful State Championship appearance?
Zulee Moreland: “I feel like my goal this time is, it's not just my one match. I at least want to win more because well, I shouldn't undermine making it to state - it's a big accomplishment itself - but there's more to come than just getting there and winning one match. I want to win more matches and really show competitors that we can play.”
Yaqueline Hernandez-Solis: “It's not enough to know that you just made it. I mean, a bunch of girls make it, and the competition, well, it's gonna be harder over there. And I feel like the drive of just being able to make it in the top 20 would be considered, oh my gosh, you're in the top of all the rest of the girls. We have a bigger accomplishment around here.”
Steve Johnson, Coach: “I mark it successful if we make sure that we win the ones that we should win. We are competitive in the ones that we could win - and we'll get some of those - and that we learned from the match. There are players that we are just not gonna beat sometimes. But that we still competed against them and learned what it means to be really good - that's success.”
Zulee Moreland: “Once you reach that kind of benchmark, there's always more to go past, and you can still strive for more. Goals are bigger than just within our town. We want to show up to state and be competitors. We don't just want to be state qualifiers. We want to be state competitors.”
https://ilmea.org/d2jazzfestival
https://ilmea.org/d2concertfestival
Taylor is the recipient of the Physical Education Department’s Foundation Leadership Award. Taylor demonstrates excellence in the weight room every day by setting challenging goals for herself and working hard to achieve them. She shows great dependability through her consistent effort and commitment to improvement, always holding herself to a high standard. Beyond her own performance, she fosters a positive and encouraging environment that motivates those around her. Taylor goes above and beyond expectations, setting an example of leadership, dedication, and goal-driven success for her peers.
Congratulations to Taylor on this well-deserved recognition!
German Dinner October 24th
How will you mark success at the State Championship this weekend?
Jacob Armstrong: “Everybody's got to go in there feeling no pressure, just play your game. But I do feel like there is a sense of pressure just because we did win last year. I feel like with the teams that are in it, we are, again, underdogs, but we were last year. I feel like there was a pressure to at least get back. I've talked to a lot of people in the community. They expected us to get back. And now we have, so that relieved a lot of pressure, but there is still pressure to go out there and shoot some good scores like we have all year. It's nothing we can't do. It's not a lot of pressure, but all we gotta do is go out there and do what we've done all year.”
James Threadgill: “I think, for myself, to be successful over the weekend is literally just to have fun and be myself. Being myself is a big part of my golf game, 'cause you can ask my parents, you can ask anybody - as soon as I stop being myself on that golf course, it all goes downhill from there. I just want to keep a good attitude, and honestly, not even care about the score. Just go out there, have fun, and be with the people that I like the most.”
What creates team chemistry?
James Threadgill: “I think even just having Josh and Logan up this year on varsity is huge, because Josh, I've known Josh how many years now? And me and him have always played golf together, constantly asking, ‘Hey, when can we go up to (Pine Hills)? When can we go to Deer Park? Can we go to Morris? And it's just, I know everybody, like that. It's so awesome to be with people like that, that I know.”
Jacob Armstrong: “We all know each other outside of golf. We hang out in our free time, we all get together, we golf together. It's not just high school related events that we see each other all the time, and I think that's what it takes to have a real bond. We're all friends. We are more than teammates. We spend a lot of time outside of school together, and that's what creates - what I think we have - a really strong bond.”
James Threadgill: “It's pretty awesome being with people that are older than me. Like last year when I was on the team, Seth (Cooper) was one of my favorite people to talk with. He really helped me because I was a freshman, and I really had nothing. I didn't know what to expect, but he helped me out. And I also think knowing Jacob, Cole, and Briar very well, they're older than me, that also helps, because I've known them for many years now.”
Do you get the sense that you are making history for Ottawa Township High School sports?
Jacob Armstrong: “You gotta feel good about yourself. You know, you brought the town some recognition. You've impressed a lot of people. There's so many people who have put in a lot to make this team succeed, not just the players, but you know, the coaches, the parents, the people at the golf courses who support you, your individual coaches. This team winning isn't just for the high school or for the six of us. It's for the entire community and everybody that was involved through every step of the way.”
Bryer Harris: “I'm not really, like, seeking the glory. I mean, I just want to play the best I can and have fun, but once it's there, it's a surreal feeling. You have obviously done something that nobody else has done in the history of Ottawa High School, so it's a great deal.”
What are some of your favorite memories from the season?
James Threadgill: “In our last 9-hole match, (Jacob) walked up to me - after we had finished taking our hats off and shaking hands - he told me “Give me a hug.” And so we hugged on the last green. I was like, that's pretty awesome, man, 'cause I didn't think about it until just then when he told me that - that's probably gonna be the last... it was the last - high school match that me and him are gonna play together.”
On October 6th, the Ottawa Township High School varsity golf team earned a Sectional Championship at the IHSA Class 2A Boylan Catholic Sectional at Mauh-Nah-Tee-See Country Club in Rockford.
The team, which includes seniors Jacob Armstrong and Colt Bryson, juniors Bryer Harris and Logan Cottingham, and sophomores James Threadgill and Joshua Armstrong, scored 296 to secure their second consecutive IHSA Sectional Championship under coaches Keith Budzowski, Mark Cooper, and Jerry Couch. The team also earned a 7th consecutive IHSA Class 2A Regional title.
Their achievements come after the first-ever IHSA state championship for an Ottawa Township High School athletic team in 2024. They now prepare for a second consecutive State Championship appearance on October 10th at Weibring Golf Club in Normal.
Is there pressure, as the wins continue, that you need to mentally prepare for?
Bryer Harris: “I knew that I felt a little bit of pressure, knowing that this was a good team, but I was just looking to have fun and spend time with my teammates and do what I love and that's playing golf. And just the team being great is a really good added bonus.”
Joshua Armstrong: “The big pressure to me at least is the feeling that you don't want to let down your teammates. I've just stepped up from junior varsity. I've been having a roughish year, and a lot of it is just trying to be able to handle that pressure and figure out what to do with it.”
Colt Bryson: “You're trying to live up to expectations from other people around you, but at the same time, it's just about having fun.”
Jacob Armstrong: “I feel like there's more pressure at sectionals than there is at state because when you get down to state, you made it. There's nowhere else to go. My first two years, we missed out barely, and the goal was always to get to state, and then we had made it, and then the pressure was all really relieved.”
Logan Cottingham: “It's kind of just learning on how to control your attitude and what mentally you have to do to prepare yourself to go up to a shot and think you're going to do the best shot you're going to hit all day.”
Is reaching the IHSA State Championship an expectation or a goal?
Keith Budzowski, Coach: “I'd say more of a goal than expectation. There's enough pressure as it is - school wide, community wide - thinking ‘Are these guys good enough? They gotta do it again.’ Even going to the sectional this year, we know it was a little bit tougher - the toughest sectional that we faced since I’ve been head coach. After about six holes, I was like ‘All right, we're good enough to win.’ And then, they did it.
What have you learned about yourselves during the golf season this year?
Joshua Armstrong: “We all improved. We all went out, did the work, did what we needed to. We've gotten better; we became better people. And we've had fun while doing it. We've enjoyed what we've been doing, and I think we just gotta keep doing that.”
Bryer Harris: “You learn from each other, and I mean, I can learn from Josh (Armstrong) as much as Josh can learn from me. But obviously, I think the fact that the team has been good for so long really helps it continue to be good because the younger kids watch and they're like, ‘Hey, I want to do that.’ And I think it kind of helps itself.”
Logan Cottingham: “I feel like us coming together and having each other's backs just has been really special for this group.”
Colt Bryson: “I think the biggest takeaway is always just to have fun. I mean, obviously, you want to win, but there's nothing better than just spending time with each other and just being who we are.”
How are you preparing for competition this weekend?
Logan Cottingham: “We have the ability to go and just win every tournament we go to. We just have that confidence and trust in each other that we can do it, and it's possible.”
Jacob Armstrong: “All you have is the right now. And right now, you have to go and do your best to execute this golf shot. So, you can think about what's yet to come and what already happened, but all it does is just take up extra space in your head, which should be used to focus on the shot at hand.”
Keith Budzowski, Coach: “They're just out there to play their best. I think for us, it's more carefree. We're just going in, knowing like, ‘Hey, we have the game. Let's just go out there and have a good time.’
Is it bittersweet knowing this might be the last time you all golf together?
Bryer Harris: “I grew up playing golf with Jacob and Colt, especially, and Josh, and this is kind of like the last year that we're going to be on a team together. It's honestly sad, but, I mean, it's good to see us all grow and mature into adults now.”
Jacob Armstrong: “I was really emotional after the sectional round. It's gonna be hard to not play competitive golf with these guys again. You know, not have them on my team. But that doesn't mean I can't go cheer them on and root for them and we can still go play golf together.”
