Pirate Press

The Student News Site of Ottawa Township High School
ALERT: AI DETECTED. A teacher finds that one of their students used AI on their assignment. Students aren’t benefitting from having AI write for them. They would be better off learning from the mistakes that they make using their own words. Johnson said, “They’re just having them do the assignment for them, not learning and getting better.” 
AI, what is the Answer to this Problem?
Defending the Pride
Defending the Pride
Tony Zeglis on vacation with his family enjoying time off from protecting the hallways.
Not Just Keeping the Hallways Safe
Juniors Bella Knoll and Jack Carroll pose together after performing as an ensemble couple. They danced to a disco remix of all different types of songs and wore outfits that matched the theme of the dance.
Pirates Invade the Ballroom
Another day, another hallway rush. Students make their way through the crowds in the hallway. Sophomore Keira Duffy walks next to her friend, sophomore Jaylin Sullivan. “I always try to find a friend to walk with to get myself prepared mentally for my next class,” Duffy said. Sullivan said, “When walking in the halls it frustrates me when people walk slow, but walking with my friends helps me stay calm and ignore it.” 
Unwritten Rules of the Hallway
One Last Time: Pop Concert 2025
One Last Time: Pop Concert 2025
Sing and Play Along
Sing and Play Along
Fancy for finals. Orchestra Members senior Jack Stanek, sophomore Logan Olsen and sophomore Chloe Carmona are living out the final week of ILMEA, in Peoria, in style. “ILMEA is a way for us band kids to push our skills to the limit and meet talented musicians from Illinois,” Stanek said.
ILMEA Participants of 2024
Warming up is important. The band can be seen warming up before practicing their songs.
Strike Up the Band for the Christmas Concert
Reaching for beauty. Yesenia Leonn creates a masterpiece. Leonn displays a picture of her favorite art piece. “The reasoning that this one is my favorite is because at the time. Print making was new to me, and this is one of the pieces that can be interpreted with meaning in different ways with different eyes,” Leonn said. 
Artist of the Month: Yesenia Leonn
One Last Root Hog
One Last Root Hog
Screenshot
More than Pom-Poms
Leaving Pom Poms Behind
Leaving Pom Poms Behind
The girls tennis team takes part in showing their appreciation for Coach Steve Johnson on Senior night.
Legacy and Tradition
Touchdown Pirates! Senior Archer Cechowicz celebrates after scoring a touchdown. The Pirates won against Streator High School on September 5. Cechowicz said,” I like to win and score touchdowns.” 
Male Athlete of the Month
A look at the unique arts of the original album cover from 2020 of Eslabon Armado’s second studio album “VIbras De Noche."
“Vibras De Noche” Review
The main characters of season one merely posing for a photo.
“Peacemaker” Review
How mysterious does he look? This is Role Model doing album promotion photos. Role Model told Nylon in an interview, "This is the first album where people are like, ‘It’s the most I’ve learned about you.'”
Kansas Anymore Album Review
Noah, played by Ryan Gosling, and Allie, played by Rachel McAdams pose for a cover photo for the film. Viewers can see this pose during one of the scenes in the movie.
A Timeless Dramatic Romance
The Tier List for the six energy drinks that were sampled.
Which Energy Drink Brand Is the Best?
A look at the unique arts of the original album cover from 2020 of Eslabon Armado’s second studio album “VIbras De Noche."
“Vibras De Noche” Review
The main characters of season one merely posing for a photo.
“Peacemaker” Review
How mysterious does he look? This is Role Model doing album promotion photos. Role Model told Nylon in an interview, "This is the first album where people are like, ‘It’s the most I’ve learned about you.'”
Kansas Anymore Album Review
Poster featuring photos from a photoshoot for Sabrina Carpenter’s newest album, “Man’s Best Friend.” Sabrina poses with a dog, feeding into the saying that dogs are man’s best friend.
Album Review
Taylor Swift performing for the opening night of the Eras Tour on March 20, 2023.
Taylor Swift announces new album: The Life of a Showgirl

Pirate Press

Pirate Press
One Last Root Hog
One Last Root Hog
November 14, 2025
Screenshot
More than Pom-Poms
November 14, 2025
History teacher Casey Swanson hands out a test to his World History class over their past unit.
New Teachers on the Block
November 14, 2025
Flashing posing in her Adagio Competition Team Photos vs. Flashing posing at age five at a recital.
Artist of the Month: Michaela Flashing
November 13, 2025
Student Life
ALERT: AI DETECTED. A teacher finds that one of their students used AI on their assignment. Students aren’t benefitting from having AI write for them. They would be better off learning from the mistakes that they make using their own words. Johnson said, “They’re just having them do the assignment for them, not learning and getting better.” 
AI, what is the Answer to this Problem?
Aubrey Sullivan • November 17, 2025

The most popular student award goes to . . . Artificial Intelligence! Everyone knows AI and as time continues, lots of people are starting to use AI.   From using it to get homework answers...

Defending the Pride
Defending the Pride
November 13, 2025
Tony Zeglis on vacation with his family enjoying time off from protecting the hallways.
Not Just Keeping the Hallways Safe
November 12, 2025
Juniors Bella Knoll and Jack Carroll pose together after performing as an ensemble couple. They danced to a disco remix of all different types of songs and wore outfits that matched the theme of the dance.
Pirates Invade the Ballroom
November 12, 2025
Another day, another hallway rush. Students make their way through the crowds in the hallway. Sophomore Keira Duffy walks next to her friend, sophomore Jaylin Sullivan. “I always try to find a friend to walk with to get myself prepared mentally for my next class,” Duffy said. Sullivan said, “When walking in the halls it frustrates me when people walk slow, but walking with my friends helps me stay calm and ignore it.” 
Unwritten Rules of the Hallway
November 6, 2025
Football Fanatic. Lineman John Ruiz looks over the film to remember his plays. He was told to prepare for his away game against Kaneland. “After practice I often don’t have much time to do much of anything, so I make time to watch my plays when I can.”
How to Deal with Back-to-School Sickness
October 16, 2025
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Opinion
A look at the unique arts of the original album cover from 2020 of Eslabon Armado’s second studio album “VIbras De Noche."
“Vibras De Noche” Review
Angel Munoz • November 17, 2025

Vibras De Noche” released in 2020 and reached number one in the Latin charts at the time of its release. This album set the ground floor for...

The main characters of season one merely posing for a photo.
“Peacemaker” Review
Connor Gray • November 17, 2025

“Peacemaker” is an insanely odd show, but those oddities combined with the amazing acting of John Cena make it a must watch. It definitely...

How mysterious does he look? This is Role Model doing album promotion photos. Role Model told Nylon in an interview, "This is the first album where people are like, ‘It’s the most I’ve learned about you.'”
Kansas Anymore Album Review
Hannah Zambrano • November 13, 2025

“Kansas Anymore,” a record by Role Model released July 19, 2024, is an indie-folk album with some pop influences. The record differs from...

Noah, played by Ryan Gosling, and Allie, played by Rachel McAdams pose for a cover photo for the film. Viewers can see this pose during one of the scenes in the movie.
A Timeless Dramatic Romance
Aubrey Sullivan • November 13, 2025

Some films make you laugh. Some films make you cry. “The Notebook” is one of those films that does both.   Starring Ryan Gosling and...

View All
Pop Culture
A look at the unique arts of the original album cover from 2020 of Eslabon Armado’s second studio album “VIbras De Noche."
“Vibras De Noche” Review
Angel Munoz • November 17, 2025

Vibras De Noche” released in 2020 and reached number one in the Latin charts at the time of its release. This album set the ground floor for...

The main characters of season one merely posing for a photo.
“Peacemaker” Review
November 17, 2025
How mysterious does he look? This is Role Model doing album promotion photos. Role Model told Nylon in an interview, "This is the first album where people are like, ‘It’s the most I’ve learned about you.'”
Kansas Anymore Album Review
November 13, 2025
Poster featuring photos from a photoshoot for Sabrina Carpenter’s newest album, “Man’s Best Friend.” Sabrina poses with a dog, feeding into the saying that dogs are man’s best friend.
Album Review
October 6, 2025
Taylor Swift performing for the opening night of the Eras Tour on March 20, 2023.
Taylor Swift announces new album: The Life of a Showgirl
September 30, 2025
View All
Fine Arts
One Last Time: Pop Concert 2025
One Last Time: Pop Concert 2025
Mia Misener • May 19, 2025

Each year, choir teacher Ali Stachowicz--nicknamed Ms. Stacks--prepares for and hosts the Pop Concert, a concert completely dedicated to honoring...

Sing and Play Along
Sing and Play Along
March 6, 2025
Fancy for finals. Orchestra Members senior Jack Stanek, sophomore Logan Olsen and sophomore Chloe Carmona are living out the final week of ILMEA, in Peoria, in style. “ILMEA is a way for us band kids to push our skills to the limit and meet talented musicians from Illinois,” Stanek said.
ILMEA Participants of 2024
December 10, 2024
Sports
One Last Root Hog
One Last Root Hog
Brody Pagakis • November 14, 2025

What an ending. On Fri. October 24, 2025, seniors on the Ottawa Pirates Varsity Football team ran onto the field following...

Screenshot
More than Pom-Poms
November 14, 2025
Leaving Pom Poms Behind
Leaving Pom Poms Behind
November 12, 2025
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The Student News Site of Ottawa Township High School