New Administration Focuses on Positivity
By Lily Waltz, 6th Hour Reporter
New Principal Stacie Franke has had her share of ups and downs; but despite it all, she’s kept her focus on one of her main goals, making Alton High School a place where everyone feels welcomed. Whether it’s seen through her bright and joyful clothing, or her daily interactions with students, she has made it a priority to create a sense of belonging and community.
“Creating a culture of belonging was always very important to us [the administrative team] from day one,” Franke said. “We needed to be sure that we were creating opportunities for all students to feel connected to each other and our staff.”
Franke wasn’t the only new administrator to come to the high school this year. She was also joined by Dr. Tim Jones, Dr. Willie Kilpatrick, Dr. Jordan Anderson and Natalie Gordon. The new administrators have focused on working together collaboratively while always striving to better the halls that students walk in each day.
The team specifically had three goals in mind coming into the school year, each one designed with a special purpose for students. In addition to creating a sense of belonging, they put more focus on greater achievement in the classroom, such as improving test scores and feedback, while also hoping to raise graduation rates.
“As administrators, we want to support teachers and try to give them tools, encouragement and feedback that will help them become successful in those classes so students can have greater achievement,” assistant principal Dr. Willie Kilpatrick said. Kilpatrick oversees Alton Success Academy in addition to assisting during the school day.
These main goals are not just centered around Alton High School, but the district as a whole. Superintendent Elaine Kane has been a part of the Alton School District for over 30 years now. She was named Superintendent this past year. Kane has made it a priority to help ease new changes throughout the district, while aiming to create the best possible experience for all students.
“Particularly at the high school, there’s been a big shift in the routines and systems that we use here at the campus, which have led to improved experiences for students,” Kane said.
In hopes to maintain these improved experiences, Kane strives to continue to work together with the administration teams in each school, under the direction of the Board of Education. As for next year, some big changes are to come, such as the new cell phone policy recently released by the district. Kane said she knows it will be a difficult transition, but hopes to see more benefits for students.
“Our intent is to remove the distraction of cell phones and to create a school that’s conducive to learning and friendship,” Kane said. “It’s really meant to be an asset for students to have a great experience at school.”
For many of the administrators at Alton, this is their home. Creating and maintaining a positive school environment will remain a stronghold for the school years to come.
Save Trees and Time, Digital Hall Passes Come to Campus
By Andrea Hyman & Sabellah Turner, 6th Hour Reporters
A student is sitting in class having a bathroom emergency. They ask to go and are told they need to log into their Chromebook and put in a Smart Pass. Gone are the days when teachers would handwrite paper passes. Smart Pass is an online hall pass system that shows where a student is coming from and going to, as well as how long they have left to be in the hall.
Students are given seven minutes to use the rest room and up to 10 minutes to visit other locations like the guidance office or the library. The system limits the total number of students who can be in the halls at one time and can also restrict certain students who have had prior issues with each other from being in the halls together.
“I absolutely feel like the best thing is knowing that there are too many kids in the hall, and kids can’t go out into the hall because of it,” English teacher Chelsea Anderson said.
Smart Pass also aids communication between administrators and the rest of the school population.
“If the sink is leaking, and someone comes to fix it, I can close the bathroom on Smart Pass and I don’t have to make an announcement, or say teachers check your email,” assistant principal Natalie Gordon said.
Along with these positives, there have been negatives. There have been times that bathrooms have stayed locked or the hallway limit has gotten in the way of people needing to go somewhere.
“My least favorite part of Smart Pass is probably the fact that I have to have a device with me when I go into the hallways,” Principal Stacie Franke said. Administrators, and members of the school’s safety team, are able to monitor student movement through an app on their phones or an ipad.
While many teachers have been enjoying Smart Pass, some students have not been. Students have found it frustrating not being able to leave class due to the hallway limit.
“If you have an emergency to use the bathroom, and it’s maximum, you can’t make a pass even if you schedule one,” junior Melliyah Edwards said.
Gordon noted that there has been positive changes in the hallways since the implementation of the Smart Pass system.
“I think there’s less people in the hall then what there were before,” Gordon said.
The change in the process for issuing hall passes started when students returned for second semester, but the conversation about switching to the Smart Pass system started way before.
“We started researching it in about September,” Gordon said. “Then by October, we had made a decision, and we started the process of being able to implement it when students returned in January.”
Increased Open Gate Sensitivity Causes Morning Frustrations
By Lydia Copeland, Assistant Social Media Manager
As more schools begin to embrace the use of metal detectors and weapons detection systems, Alton High follows suit with improving efficiency and safety for students through the continued use of Open Gate.
Following the numerous physical altercations that took place between multiple students on Aug. 30, 2023, the Open Gate weapons detection systems were implemented in order to provide a safer environment for students and staff. Since then, administration has continued to work to improve the experience for both students and teachers. However, at the beginning of the 2024-25 school year, sensitivity settings were raised on the systems, which led to many students consistently needing their bags searched. The need for numerous bag searches led to a large number of students being tardy to classes.
“Students are required to remove anything from their bags or person that will set off the detectors,” career and technical education teacher Scott Vernum said. “Those that fail to do so slow the lines, and students may become late to class.” Vernum is a bag checker for the Open Gate system.
As time has passed, these issues have lessened as efficiency has increased. The length of the process has also been cut down by extending the systems farther outside the building. This has helped prevent crowding and lengthy lines. In addition, multiple staff members work the systems each morning to provide help for the students. This process has made the system quicker and helped in getting students to where they need to be.
“After those first few days of everyone understanding the types of items that would set off the system, the process itself went very smoothly,” consumer education teacher Scott Harper said. “Time issues were more created by the students arrival times and the amount of items that they needed to unpack/repack before heading to class that may have created any delays.” Harper is a Chromebook assistant for the Open Gate system.
Despite the possible issues caused by the addition of Open Gate, the overall goal remains the same – to better provide a safe environment and help ease the minds of students, staff and parents.
“I believe the system serves the purpose it’s intended for, not only the Open Gate equipment, but having staff at entrances to detect items that could be harmful and to help deter anyone from bringing inappropriate things to school,” Harper said.
Food Court Friday Undergoes Big Changes
By Hannah Schrader, 2nd Hour Reporter
For several years, Food Court Friday was held the third Friday of each month to provide clubs and organizations with the opportunity to raise funds by selling various food items. The options ranged from Chick-fil-A sandwiches to Olga’s Snackers to Dairy Queen Blizzards and more. After the first Food Court Friday in September, administration decided there needed to be a change. The monthly event has undergone a significant transformation this year, transitioning from students choosing the food they want in person to students ordering the food ahead of time online. This change was largely motivated by a need for equity among students.
“After the first event, we realized that it wasn’t very equitable,” Principal Stacie Franke said. “If you were at lunch C, we ran out of items. By the end, many popular choices like Chick-fil-A were gone, leaving some students without what they wanted.”
The previous cash-only system also posed challenges since students without cash couldn’t participate.
“That didn’t feel equitable either,” Franke said. “The decision to move to online ordering aimed to create a more equitable environment where every student could have the opportunity to enjoy the offerings. Now, students can place their orders ahead of time, ensuring that everyone gets what they want,” she added.
However, the transition wasn’t without its struggles. Initially, participation dipped as students struggled to adapt to the new online ordering process.
“I think it lowered participation the first couple of times because students weren’t familiar with the system,” Franke said.
Yet, the latest Food Court Friday event in April saw a surge in attendance.
“Our last one was the largest we’ve had, indicating that students are beginning to understand how to navigate the process,” she said. The hope is that by next year, the system will be fully operational from the start, leading to even greater participation.
To access the online ordering platform, students receive an email from assistant principal Dr. Jordan Anderson containing a Google Form link. They can fill out the form and either pay cash at the bookkeeper’s office or complete the transaction online.
“This system allows us to better manage orders and ensure that everyone has a fair chance to enjoy Food Court Friday,” Franke said.
As Food Court Friday continues to evolve, the focus remains on creating an inclusive and enjoyable experience for all students. With increased familiarity and understanding of the online ordering system, the future looks promising for this beloved event.
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The Tatler Celebrates 120th Anniversary
By Harlow Barham, Features Editor
Alton High School’s yearbook, The Tatler, is celebrating its 120th anniversary in 2025. The Tatler continues to be one of the school’s most treasured traditions with roots all the way back to 1905.
For generations, The Tatler has captured the memories, milestones and spirit of Alton High. Every year, students eagerly await its release, flipping through pages filled with photos, stories and artwork that reflect the personality and pride of Alton High School.
Behind the scenes, however, the process is lots of hard work and very intensive labor.
“It’s an all-hands-on-deck situation,” yearbook adviser Bridget Heck said. “There are five major deadlines. We work on it chronologically, and we’re creating a 279-page yearbook.”
Heck has motivated these students to work hard and taught them how hard work really pays off. Recently, the team received the 2024 Jostens Look Book honor, a publication that highlights the best yearbooks across the country. They were also awarded the Golden Dozen Award, another achievement in the world of student journalism.
Leading the student team this year is editor-in-chief, Makenna Riley, a senior who has taken on the responsibility of making the staff unite as one team and work on the yearbook together.
“I think what’s been most challenging is probably incorporating the theme into everything,” Riley said. “We have a certain theme we have to stick to, and making sure it shows up consistently across the book can be tough, but I think we’ve done a good job with it.”
Working for The Tatler offers students the chance to build lasting friendships, develop professional writing skills and make meaningful memories.
“I like working with everybody,” Riley said. “We get to do fun things like going on field trips, because we really come together as a team.”
As The Tatler releases its 120th edition, one thing is clear. The Tatler is still writing its legacy one page at a time.
Listen to yearbook adviser, Bridget Heck, highlight the success of this year’s staff.
Journalism Students Rack up Awards, Heck Honored as Manion C. Rice Adviser of the Year
By Raye Holmes & Victoria Strowmatt, 1st Hour Reporters
Every year, journalism and graphic production students at Alton High School compete at Southern Illinois University in Carbondale. Current students enrolled in those classes had a chance to compete on Feb. 26 at the Southern Illinois Scholastic Press Association conference.
This year marked a turning point for the programs; it was the first time that some journalism students got the chance to compete three years in a row. Additionally, the team of students won more awards than prior years, totaling 31 across the board.
Senior Marielle McCarvey, who is the design editor for The Redbird Word, has been attending the SISPA conference for three years. McCarvey competed two out of the three years she attended.
“I won six awards this year, and I won four awards last year,” McCarvey said.
For students like McCarvey, participating in events like the SISPA conference has proven to be motivational.
“I think it’s definitely helped me improve my editorial cartooning,” McCarvey said. “I think my concept of editorial cartooning makes sense now compared to last year.”
The conference gives students an opportunity to compete and go against fellow journalism students in certain categories. Students in journalism had a chance to compete in 14 categories that range from video news to yearbook layout to feature writing and copy editing, with one student per category.
“I would say that SISPA unites us by giving us something to look forward to and giving us something to really work for,” editor- in-chief, Bowie Chappee, said. “It’s something that we all look forward to every year and it’s something that we all hold very near and dear to our hearts because it’s really a bonding experience for the whole staff.”
The recognition of growth and excellence extends beyond the students, as the event also celebrates the achievements of teachers who guide them. Bridget Heck has been The Tatler adviser for 22 years. This year, Heck won the 2025 W. Manion Rice Yearbook Adviser of the Year Award. Nominations for this award are submitted by those who have witnessed the nominee’s work firsthand. Students in Heck’s class had a chance to vote to show their support for her.
“I feel like it’s [SISPA] uniting because they [her students] are all excited for one another, and they were so sweet and excited for me when I won that award,” Heck said. “They’re the ones that actually nominated me as students. Tyrone Hughes was jumping up and down and I was like, ‘you guys are so sweet.’”
Along with winning her award, The Tatler received the Golden Dozen Award which recognizes the top 12 yearbooks in the region.
The Redbird Word also received the Blue Banner Award at the conference which recognizes excellence in student newspapers.
The success of these students at the 2025 Southern Illinois Scholastic Press Association conference reflects the journalism program’s growth. With 31 awards earned across journalism and graphic production categories, students demonstrated excellence in their fields. This competition continues to serve as a meaningful platform for student journalists to showcase their skills and support one another’s success.
Girls’ Basketball Makes History with Record-Breaking Season
By Rihanna Smith, Arts & Entertainment Editor
The varsity girls’ basketball team made school history this season by becoming the first team to reach the State tournament. Their undefeated regular season turned into a sweet playoff run, ending with a third-place State finish. The team’s accomplishments reflect months of hard work, discipline and unity.
Junior point guard Justice Haynes said her most memorable moment was playing on a college court during the State tournament while being watched on TV by friends and family.
“The parade that was set up for my team after our success was also something that I loved and will always remember,” Haynes said.
Senior Kiyoko Proctor shared that her favorite memory was reaching the Final Four and making history with her teammates. Both players pointed to the team’s growth throughout the season.
“We stuck together and trusted each other,” Proctor said. “Working hard in practice and paying attention to details helped us grow a lot throughout the year.”
Haynes said building bonds off the court helped build chemistry during games.
“Our bonds outside of sports began to really grow,” Haynes said. “That helped us play well together.”
When it comes to favorite games, Haynes said hers was the regional championship.
“We were able to defeat the team that ended our season last year,” she said. “It felt good to get our get back.”
Proctor said one of her favorite games was returning to the court where she tore her ACL and winning there. She also mentioned the Final Four matchup, despite the loss.
“We got to experience something that no one else at the school has ever got to before,” Proctor said.
Both athletes took on important roles on the team.
“I made sure that the tempo of the game was set and that we were all working hard,” Proctor said.
Haynes, who played point guard, said her job was to lead the team, communicate and make smart decisions. She also said that her coach, Deserea Howard, pushed her to be the best version of herself. “My confidence as a player really had a boost,” Haynes said.
Proctor also credited Howard for her growth. “She stuck with me and believed in me when I didn’t believe in myself,” Proctor said. “She helped me be more confident and to just show everyone who I am.”
Team chemistry was definitely a strength for the Lady Redbirds. “I think each of us had bonds with everybody on the team,” Proctor said.
However, the team did have to overcome challenges during their run.
“Locking in before big games was probably the hardest part,” Proctor said. Haynes added that “the team welcomed everyone with love and treated each other like sisters.”
Both players said they believed the team had what it took to reach the State tournament from the beginning.
“I knew from the start we were going to make it there,” Proctor said. “We had everything—we just needed to use it.”
Haynes said she hopes that people remember what the team accomplished this year.
“We did something that nobody else was able to do in this sport,” Haynes said. “And we overcame so many obstacles to get there.” Going forward, Haynes said her goal is to continue growing and to help the team return to State.
As a senior, Proctor reflected on her final season with gratitude. “It was definitely bittersweet,” Proctor said. “I’m going to miss everyone, but I’m glad I got to cherish every moment with them.”
For future players, both Haynes and Proctor offered advice. “Work hard, focus, play defense and have fun,” Proctor said. “Don’t overthink anything, but prepare for big moments.”
Haynes encouraged anyone interested in playing to stay committed. “If you come ready to put in hard work and be dedicated, you’re going to be a valuable player,” Haynes said. She said effort and attitude matter most. “I want to do my best to keep the greatness of our program,” Haynes said. She’s focused on helping build future success.
The Lady Redbirds’ historic season leaves a lasting legacy. Their achievements set a new standard for the program. The team now turns its attention to what’s next—building on a season that will never be forgotten.
Boys’ Basketball Wins Regionals over Long-Time Rival Edwardsville
By Kyridas Orr, 5th Hour Reporter
In a season that will be in the record books for years to come, the Redbird’s varsity basketball team achieved a milestone no one thought possible. With an unrelenting drive, remarkable teamwork and a string of nail-biting victories, the 55-47 win over the Edwardsville Tigers during the regional title game will be framed in time.
With a record of 26(W)-7(L), second place in the conference and the title of regional champs for the Southwest Conference, sophomore guard Ryan Howard said he is extremely grateful for the season he had.
“My all time favorite part of the season was winning regionals,” Howard said.
Howard had nine points, two three-pointers and an and-one with a made free throw. Last time the Redbirds played the Tigers, Howard had 16 points. Although that game was a loss in their official record, it was a learning opportunity for the team.
Junior point guard, Semaj Stampley, is a key player for Alton. He has won Player of the Year for the second time in his high school career for the Gallatin awards. The Gallatin award is an annual basketball awards banquet recognizing and honoring the best high school basketball players in the Riverbend area.
“It feels good,” Stampley said. “It’s a good accomplishment, and I’m looking forward to trying to win my third one.”
Alton’s basketball program has had an exceptional year. The boys won regionals and the girls won third in the State. Stampley said it feels good to have so much support from the city of Alton and the community. He also said it’s good to see the basketball program progressing at a good pace.
“It means everything,” Stampley said.
After the final buzzer sounded and the energy in the gym exploded, these boys’ basketball players weren’t just celebrating their win. They were celebrating all the hard work and dedication they put into this year. For the seniors, it was a dream realized. Although for the underclassmen, a legacy to carry forward.
Boys’ Bowling Team Places Fourth at State
By Grace Kercher, 5th Hour Reporter
After a season full of strikes, spares and standout performances, the boys’ bowling team capped off a historic run by qualifying for the State tournament for the first time in school history.
Riding the momentum of a dominant sectional win, the team headed into State with confidence—and they delivered. Finishing in an impressive fourth place, the boys held their own among the best in Illinois, placing just behind Salem, O’Fallon and Morton.
The journey to State was anything but easy. The team faced competitive matches all season and had to stay consistent under pressure. But with strong leadership and solid team chemistry, they kept their momentum rolling.
One of the season’s most inspiring stories came from sophomore Carter Baker, who contributed to the team’s success despite a tough stretch with injuries.
“When I found out my team won and got to State, I was out for my leg injury,” Baker said. “I was proud because I also helped them get there during the season, even if I couldn’t be there.”
Baker, one of the younger members of the team, stepped into a big role earlier in the season. “Even as a sophomore, I had an opportunity to step out and help,” he said.
Senior Luke Ventimiglia also faced ups and downs during the season, but came through when it mattered most. “I was bowling bad for about a month, but I just pushed through and it was fine,” Ventimiglia said.
His perseverance paid off in the postseason. “When we won sectionals, it was nice—we had all worked so hard for it,” Ventimiglia said.
The sectional championship win was a highlight of the year, with the team putting together one of their strongest performances yet. That victory punched their ticket to State and marked a turning point in the program’s history.
Although they narrowly missed the podium, the boy’s bowling team left an undeniable mark on the program’s legacy.
With a sectional title in hand, and a top-five State finish, their season was one for the record books—and a sign of what’s to come.
