The Seneca High School Band and Choir will hold their annual Holiday Concert in the SHS auditorium at 7:00 on Wednesday, December 10. Please invite your friends and family to join us for a night of wonderful music! ❄️
The Fighting Irish Wrestling Team opened their season last night with a meet at home against Herscher and Sandwich! The team picked up the win against Herscher before falling to a tough Sandwich team. The Irish will be in action again TONIGHT against Beardstown and Mendota in the Old Gym at 5:30 PM. They will also be home all day Saturday for the annual Irish Invite in the New Gym starting at 9:00 AM. Good luck this weekend, Irish! #IrishPride ☘️
📸: Photos courtesy of SHS senior Isabelle O'Neal
Seneca 54
Herscher 27
106 Gage Cassani H by FF
113 Chris Thompson S by FF
120 Raiden Terry S TF 18-3 over Caden Shroyer H
126 Ryder Travelstead H F 1:35 over Wyatt Coop S
132 Ethan Othon S F :28 over Jonah Longlois H
138 Everrett Osenga H F5:29 over Devon Daemicke S
144 Alex Mendez H F 1:43 over Avery Phillips S
150 Parker Jones S F 1:09 over Carson Barrera H
157 Chase Rod S by FF
165 Gunner Varland S by FF
175 Matt Bauerly S by FF
190 Gryphon Wills S by FF
215 Colton Carson H 10-2 over Landen Venecia S
285 Landyn Ramsey S F 1:18 over Kaden Schlutt H
Sandwich 47
Seneca 34
106 Kyle Blanchard San by FF
113 Chris Thompson Sen MD 10-0 over Hunter Whitecotton San
120 Raiden Terry Sen F3:27 over Connor Blanchard San
126 Dom Urbanski San F 3:48 over Wyatt Coop Sen
132 Ethan Othon Sen F 1:35 over Lincoln Minard San
138 Logan Murphy San F 4:54 over Mike Kucinic Sen
144 Jaxson Blanchard F :53 over Avery Phillips Sen
150 Jack Forth San F 5:17 over Parker Jones Sen
157 Cooper Corder San TF 17-2 over Chase Rod Sen
165 Gunner Varland Sen F :1:15 over Brody Stone San
175 Josh Kotalik San F : 34 over Gryphon Wills Sen
190 Landen Venecia Sen F 1:35 over Daniel Arriola San
215 Kaden Clevinger San F :54 over Elliott Geier Sen
285 Landyn Ramsey Sen by FF
Seneca 1-1 record
📸: Photos courtesy of SHS senior Isabelle O'Neal
Seneca 54
Herscher 27
106 Gage Cassani H by FF
113 Chris Thompson S by FF
120 Raiden Terry S TF 18-3 over Caden Shroyer H
126 Ryder Travelstead H F 1:35 over Wyatt Coop S
132 Ethan Othon S F :28 over Jonah Longlois H
138 Everrett Osenga H F5:29 over Devon Daemicke S
144 Alex Mendez H F 1:43 over Avery Phillips S
150 Parker Jones S F 1:09 over Carson Barrera H
157 Chase Rod S by FF
165 Gunner Varland S by FF
175 Matt Bauerly S by FF
190 Gryphon Wills S by FF
215 Colton Carson H 10-2 over Landen Venecia S
285 Landyn Ramsey S F 1:18 over Kaden Schlutt H
Sandwich 47
Seneca 34
106 Kyle Blanchard San by FF
113 Chris Thompson Sen MD 10-0 over Hunter Whitecotton San
120 Raiden Terry Sen F3:27 over Connor Blanchard San
126 Dom Urbanski San F 3:48 over Wyatt Coop Sen
132 Ethan Othon Sen F 1:35 over Lincoln Minard San
138 Logan Murphy San F 4:54 over Mike Kucinic Sen
144 Jaxson Blanchard F :53 over Avery Phillips Sen
150 Jack Forth San F 5:17 over Parker Jones Sen
157 Cooper Corder San TF 17-2 over Chase Rod Sen
165 Gunner Varland Sen F :1:15 over Brody Stone San
175 Josh Kotalik San F : 34 over Gryphon Wills Sen
190 Landen Venecia Sen F 1:35 over Daniel Arriola San
215 Kaden Clevinger San F :54 over Elliott Geier Sen
285 Landyn Ramsey Sen by FF
Seneca 1-1 record
The Fighting Irish Wrestling Team faces Herscher and Sandwich at 5:30pm on Thursday, December 4th.
Watch it on Irish Live!
https://youtube.com/live/yuYB8dMFpW0?feature=share
Watch it on Irish Live!
https://youtube.com/live/yuYB8dMFpW0?feature=share
CO₂ Cars 🏁
Mr. Kirkton’s Intro to Tech classes recently wrapped up their Transportation Unit. Throughout the unit, students problem-solved while designing their own CO₂ cars and gained hands-on experience manufacturing them from balsa wood in the Woods shop. They followed a set of design specifications while applying key physics concepts such as mass, acceleration, and aerodynamics to create the fastest vehicle possible. The unit concluded last week with a racing tournament to see which design came out on top. This project highlights the innovative, practical learning experiences at the heart of our CTE programs! #TheSenecaWay ☘️
Mr. Kirkton’s Intro to Tech classes recently wrapped up their Transportation Unit. Throughout the unit, students problem-solved while designing their own CO₂ cars and gained hands-on experience manufacturing them from balsa wood in the Woods shop. They followed a set of design specifications while applying key physics concepts such as mass, acceleration, and aerodynamics to create the fastest vehicle possible. The unit concluded last week with a racing tournament to see which design came out on top. This project highlights the innovative, practical learning experiences at the heart of our CTE programs! #TheSenecaWay ☘️
Varsity Basketball Double Header!
First the Lady Irish play at 5:30 followed by the Fighting Irish Men's Basketball Team at 7pm!
JV is on our main Irish Live Channel on a different stream.
https://youtube.com/live/SK0TGihzA3Q?feature=share
ECE Senior Spotlight 🏫
Meet Ms. Maliya Gottschalk! Maliya is in Mrs. Read's ECE class. After graduation, she plans to attend IVCC for two years to get her associates in labor and delivery. "Opportunities don't happen, you create them."
"Maliya has grown into an amazing leader and role model in my classroom these last four years. She has a smiling face I enjoy seeing everyday. She truly is a special young woman! I know she is going to do great things after SHS." Love ~ Mrs. Read
Meet Ms. Maliya Gottschalk! Maliya is in Mrs. Read's ECE class. After graduation, she plans to attend IVCC for two years to get her associates in labor and delivery. "Opportunities don't happen, you create them."
"Maliya has grown into an amazing leader and role model in my classroom these last four years. She has a smiling face I enjoy seeing everyday. She truly is a special young woman! I know she is going to do great things after SHS." Love ~ Mrs. Read
☘️ THIS WEEK AT SHS ☘️ #IrishPride
Turkey Trot 🦃
Seneca High School held their annual Staff, Family, and Friends Turkey Trot 5k fun run/walk this morning. The annual event is organized and sponsored by School Resource Officer Ken Sangston, who started the run to add to the positive culture at SHS. There were over 20 runners and walkers who participated this morning. For the staff awards, the fastest hen turkey was Eva Bruno and the fastest gobbler turkey was Ken Sangston. The First Place overall non-staff was Callum Wright, Second Place was Lane Weber, and Third Place was Brady Fort. The First Place four-legged runner was Riggins! ☘️
Seneca High School held their annual Staff, Family, and Friends Turkey Trot 5k fun run/walk this morning. The annual event is organized and sponsored by School Resource Officer Ken Sangston, who started the run to add to the positive culture at SHS. There were over 20 runners and walkers who participated this morning. For the staff awards, the fastest hen turkey was Eva Bruno and the fastest gobbler turkey was Ken Sangston. The First Place overall non-staff was Callum Wright, Second Place was Lane Weber, and Third Place was Brady Fort. The First Place four-legged runner was Riggins! ☘️
The Fighting Irish Basketball team secured another VICTORY tonight at the 2nd Annual Huskers Hardwood Tipoff Tourney against the Newark Norsemen, 61-55! The Irish were led by senior Brayden Simek with 20 points. Brady Sheedy contributed 13 points, Jesus Govea had 12, and Zeb Maxwell pitched in with another 10. The Fighting Irish will be back in Serena on Friday to wrap up pool play against the Hall Red Devils at 5:30 PM. Keep it up, Irish! #IrishPride ☘️
Thanksgiving Break 🦃
On behalf of the Board of Education and Administration, Happy Thanksgiving from Seneca High School! SHS is incredibly thankful for the continued engagement and support of all our students, staff, parents and community members!
School will be CLOSED for Thanksgiving Break from November 26th-28th. Classes will resume on Monday, December 1st with a "B" Day. We hope everyone enjoys a safe and memorable holiday weekend! ☘️
On behalf of the Board of Education and Administration, Happy Thanksgiving from Seneca High School! SHS is incredibly thankful for the continued engagement and support of all our students, staff, parents and community members!
School will be CLOSED for Thanksgiving Break from November 26th-28th. Classes will resume on Monday, December 1st with a "B" Day. We hope everyone enjoys a safe and memorable holiday weekend! ☘️
On Tuesday, Mr. Jackson and Mrs. Neurohr took their Anatomy and Allied Health classes to the National University of Health Science's FISH program (Futures in Science and Healthcare). The students enjoyed a presentation on alternative healthcare careers and got hands-on experience with a pre-dissected human cadaver!
HOBY Youth Leadership 🌟
Seneca High School sophomores, Vivianna Barrera and Brynlee Hunt, have been selected to represent Seneca Township High School at the 2025 HOBY Leadership Seminar. The Hugh O'Brian Youth Leadership Foundation is a global youth leadership organization that runs seminars, workshops, and other programs to inspire young people to become leaders. The Leadership Seminar is designed for high school sophomores to recognize their leadership talents and apply them to becoming effective, ethical leaders in their home, schools, work-place and community. Students participate in hands-on leadership activities and meet state leaders in such areas as business, government, education, media and the non-profit sector.
Each September, every accredited public, private and charter high school in the country is invited to select and register outstanding sophomores as representatives to their local state seminar. Currently, over 8,500 students around the world attend HOBY seminars and over 5,000 high schools are represented each year. All Seneca High School sophomore students were invited to pick up applications and submit essays for the opportunity to attend this seminar. Congratulations to Vivianna and Brynlee on such a great accomplishment! #TheSenecaWay ☘️
Seneca High School sophomores, Vivianna Barrera and Brynlee Hunt, have been selected to represent Seneca Township High School at the 2025 HOBY Leadership Seminar. The Hugh O'Brian Youth Leadership Foundation is a global youth leadership organization that runs seminars, workshops, and other programs to inspire young people to become leaders. The Leadership Seminar is designed for high school sophomores to recognize their leadership talents and apply them to becoming effective, ethical leaders in their home, schools, work-place and community. Students participate in hands-on leadership activities and meet state leaders in such areas as business, government, education, media and the non-profit sector.
Each September, every accredited public, private and charter high school in the country is invited to select and register outstanding sophomores as representatives to their local state seminar. Currently, over 8,500 students around the world attend HOBY seminars and over 5,000 high schools are represented each year. All Seneca High School sophomore students were invited to pick up applications and submit essays for the opportunity to attend this seminar. Congratulations to Vivianna and Brynlee on such a great accomplishment! #TheSenecaWay ☘️
New Staff Spotlight: Brent Smith, Mathematics Teacher & Assistant Football Coach ✏️
“I grew up in Flanagan and graduated from Flanagan High School in 2007. I went on to Millikin University, where I continued my football career and earned my Bachelor’s in Mathematics Secondary Education with PE as a second teaching field. I just finished my Master’s in Educational Leadership through Aurora University in August and this is my fifteenth year teaching.”
“After college, I taught at IVC for a year before joining Bana at Henry for four years. I spent the last nine years at Flanagan before this opportunity opened up for us. Along with teaching math, I’ve taught PE a few times, and at Flanagan I also served as the Director of Student Services since we didn’t have a guidance counselor.”
“Outside of school, our boys love being outdoors. We try to travel when we can, especially to visit family in Florida and Wisconsin. Last spring we hiked in Arizona, including Sedona and Fossil Creek Falls as highlights. We’ll go to Starved Rock and Matthiessen, and since we live in the woods, the boys get plenty of time to just be kids.”
“I would say I had a lot of good teachers and coaches that were mentors for me. Coach O’Boyle was my football coach for all four years at Flanagan. He was somebody that all of us looked up to. I also had a lot of family that was in education. My grandpa was a teacher, principal, and superintendent. I have an aunt that was a teacher and eventually became a principal before retiring. My mom was also a teacher so I just grew up around it. It’s a job that I knew I would be able to feel that I’m making a difference. You can see a student years down the road and know that you did something to help them out.”
“Seneca’s facilities stand out, but what really strikes me is how genuinely excited teachers and students are to be here. There’s a real appreciation for what we have and a positive atmosphere you don’t always see in high schools. It’s also great to see so many students interested in going into education, which says a lot about this place.”
“With my freshmen, the goal is that they not only build math skills but also life skills. In Algebra III, I want them to come away from it feeling prepared for whatever math they plan to take in college. Overall though, I just want to keep getting out of my area of the building to continue building relationships with the students and staff.”
#TheSenecaWay ☘️
“I grew up in Flanagan and graduated from Flanagan High School in 2007. I went on to Millikin University, where I continued my football career and earned my Bachelor’s in Mathematics Secondary Education with PE as a second teaching field. I just finished my Master’s in Educational Leadership through Aurora University in August and this is my fifteenth year teaching.”
“After college, I taught at IVC for a year before joining Bana at Henry for four years. I spent the last nine years at Flanagan before this opportunity opened up for us. Along with teaching math, I’ve taught PE a few times, and at Flanagan I also served as the Director of Student Services since we didn’t have a guidance counselor.”
“Outside of school, our boys love being outdoors. We try to travel when we can, especially to visit family in Florida and Wisconsin. Last spring we hiked in Arizona, including Sedona and Fossil Creek Falls as highlights. We’ll go to Starved Rock and Matthiessen, and since we live in the woods, the boys get plenty of time to just be kids.”
“I would say I had a lot of good teachers and coaches that were mentors for me. Coach O’Boyle was my football coach for all four years at Flanagan. He was somebody that all of us looked up to. I also had a lot of family that was in education. My grandpa was a teacher, principal, and superintendent. I have an aunt that was a teacher and eventually became a principal before retiring. My mom was also a teacher so I just grew up around it. It’s a job that I knew I would be able to feel that I’m making a difference. You can see a student years down the road and know that you did something to help them out.”
“Seneca’s facilities stand out, but what really strikes me is how genuinely excited teachers and students are to be here. There’s a real appreciation for what we have and a positive atmosphere you don’t always see in high schools. It’s also great to see so many students interested in going into education, which says a lot about this place.”
“With my freshmen, the goal is that they not only build math skills but also life skills. In Algebra III, I want them to come away from it feeling prepared for whatever math they plan to take in college. Overall though, I just want to keep getting out of my area of the building to continue building relationships with the students and staff.”
#TheSenecaWay ☘️
The Fighting Irish Basketball team opened their season tonight at the 2nd Annual Huskers Hardwood Tipoff Tourney with a 63-55 VICTORY over the Somonauk Bobcats! The Irish executed a very balanced attack, led by senior Brady Sheedy with a game-high 18 points. Zeb Maxwell controlled the paint with 12 points, while Jesus Govea and Brayden Simek each added 11. James Zydron chipped in another 8 points to round out the scoring.
A special congratulations to Coach Nathaniel Meiss on earning his first win at the helm of the Fighting Irish program! The team will now take a day off before returning to Serena on Wednesday to face the Newark Norsemen at 4:00 PM. Great start, boys! #IrishPride ☘️
A special congratulations to Coach Nathaniel Meiss on earning his first win at the helm of the Fighting Irish program! The team will now take a day off before returning to Serena on Wednesday to face the Newark Norsemen at 4:00 PM. Great start, boys! #IrishPride ☘️
The Fighting Irish Basketball team opens their season @ 5:00 PM tonight against Somonauk in the 2nd Annual Huskers Hardwood Tipoff Tourney in Serena. Serena will be streaming the entire tournament at the attached link. Good luck Irish! ☘️
https://fan.hudl.com/usa/il/serena/organization/29321/serena-high-school
https://fan.hudl.com/usa/il/serena/organization/29321/serena-high-school
Hoops for Holidays 🎁
The SHS National Honor Society will be hosting a Toys for Tots toy drive this holiday season during two SHS Basketball games. Tuesday, November 25th, the Lady Irish will take on St. Bede @ 5:30 & 7:00 PM. Then on Friday, December 5th, the Fighting Irish will take on Marquette @ 5:30 & 7:00 PM.
Throughout the JV game and until halftime of the Varsity matchups, NHS will be collecting donations in the Irish Cove. Anyone who donates a toy or makes a monetary contribution will receive an entry into a $50 Amazon gift card giveaway. A winner will be announced during halftime of each Varsity game! Come on out to support a great cause and to cheer on the Irish! 🏀
The SHS National Honor Society will be hosting a Toys for Tots toy drive this holiday season during two SHS Basketball games. Tuesday, November 25th, the Lady Irish will take on St. Bede @ 5:30 & 7:00 PM. Then on Friday, December 5th, the Fighting Irish will take on Marquette @ 5:30 & 7:00 PM.
Throughout the JV game and until halftime of the Varsity matchups, NHS will be collecting donations in the Irish Cove. Anyone who donates a toy or makes a monetary contribution will receive an entry into a $50 Amazon gift card giveaway. A winner will be announced during halftime of each Varsity game! Come on out to support a great cause and to cheer on the Irish! 🏀
☘️ THIS WEEK AT SHS ☘️ #IrishPride
On Saturday, the Lady Irish Basketball team battled hard in the championship game of the 2025 Falcon-Irish Thanksgiving Tournament, but ultimately fell to the Manual Rams, 40-28. The Lady Irish were led by junior Graysen Provance with 14 points and senior Tessa Krull with 6.
Congratulations to Graysen and Tessa for being named to the All-Tournament Team! The Lady Irish will be back in action on Tuesday at home against St. Bede at 7:00 PM. #IrishPride ☘️
Congratulations to Graysen and Tessa for being named to the All-Tournament Team! The Lady Irish will be back in action on Tuesday at home against St. Bede at 7:00 PM. #IrishPride ☘️
SHS Lady Irish Basketball faces off against the Manual Rams in the in the Falcon Irish Thanksgiving Tournament 1st place final, Saturday, November 22nd at 2:30pm.
Watch it on Irish Live:
https://youtube.com/live/XbThDFGmtKE
On Thursday and Friday, Mrs. Read’s Culinary classes prepared a feast and celebrated Friendsgiving together ahead of next week’s holiday. Looks delicious! #TheSenecaWay ☘️
