The Spyglass

The student news site of Galena High School.

The Spyglass

The Spyglass

Kate Moran

All content by Kate Moran
The Galena Key Club gathered together last week to make tie blankets for a cause. In the past, the club has made and donated blankets to children's hospitals, but with COVID-19, they are not accepting donations. Insted, they were kindly donated to a fellow GHS freshman, Abbey Ehrler, who has a blanket making hobby, and she is going to donate them from there. “I was so thankful to receive so many blankets for my collection,” said Abbey Ehrler ‘24. “It makes me happy to see others doing what I love to do and spend a lot of my time on. Thank you to the Galena Key Club for all of your hard work.”

Spotlights on GHS Key Club

Kate Moran, Staff Writer
April 22, 2021
10 Reasons why Sophomores and Juniors Should Consider CTE in Their Future Schedule

10 Reasons why Sophomores and Juniors Should Consider CTE in Their Future Schedule

Kate Moran, Staff Writer
March 22, 2021
The Galena Girls Varsity Basketball team has started their unpredicted season off better than they could have dreamed of. They are currently standing at 5-0, with two wins over Warren, two wins over East Dubuque, and one against Polo. They have been pouring their hearts into this team since the start, and there has been much excitement expressed for the rest of the season. With a short season packed full of games, there's not much time for practice, so the team takes advantage of any time they get together to better themselves as individuals and a team as a whole. The Galena Varsity team is filled with underclassmen, forcing them to step up and play with the older girls. “I am so honored to have been welcomed onto the varsity team with such open arms,” said Addie Hefel ‘24. “I knew there were not many numbers out for the team this year, so I have taken it upon myself to play my best game personally to help the team. I am so excited about our strong start to the season, and can not wait to see what the future brings.” With the season benign pushed back so far and benign shortened so much, every day counts for our athletes. The team is filled with many underclassmen this year, and they have really had to step up to take on a few big roles. With only one senior, and three playing juniors, all of the other players are underclassmen. Maggie Furlong, a junior, had a tough end to her junior year sports career when she tore her ACL in a club volleyball tournament just before the season started. “Having to sit on the sidelines with my knee in a brace, with only one ability, which is to cheer on my team, is a challenge for me,” said Furlong ‘22. “I have played sports my whole life, and tend to spend most of my time on the court, so having to observe from the sidelines, knowing I have a long time off, is sad. However I am so proud of our team, especially the younger girls for stepping up and filling big roles on our team.” This was an unpredicted circumstance, and despite the slight panic when the coaching staff and team got word that Furlong would be out, they have come out stronger than ever, with a winning attitude. This year has been filled with an uncountable amount of misfortunes, but to overcome some of those, Galena athletes are taking advantage of their sports season that were just made possible. This has brought so much hope to the community and whether you are a parent who can be in the gym, a player on the team, or even a spectator watching on the livestream (https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCBPS_6elS-Jik_vRrdxPF_w), the team appreciates the support and wants fans to continue watching them. Despite the unknowingness of this season, the girls have showed up to play at all of their games thus far, determined to maintain their undefeated season.

Galena Lady Pirates Starting Strong

Kate Moran, Staff Writer
February 25, 2021
Snow covered skiis and trees bring joy to high schoolers on their snow day. "I have never skied before this year, but I truly love it and it is even more fun in the fresh snow," said Morgan McIntyre '21. Students make the most of their time off whether it is hitting the slopes, hanging out in front of the heater, or catching up on school work.

Snow Day Smiles

Kate Moran, Staff Writer
February 16, 2021
Here is a day in the life of someone who doesn't have to be seen by anybody throughout the day. “Through the times I have been forced to stay home, this is about as put together as I would get,” said Kate Moran ‘21. “Nobody sees my pants at all, so I don't even make an effort to make them match.” The details of clothing are the least of everyone's concern in 2020/2021

Comfy Clothes on the Rise

Kate Moran, Staff Writer
January 19, 2021
The closet thing our seniors have gotten to a class photo thus far, is a selfie in math class on the first day of school. "I am hopeful our class will be able to come together as one and get a class photo by the end of the year," said Morgan McIntyre '21. "Those are the kind of memories I want to be able to look back on, but for now, a selfie, in class, with a mask will do." These are the pictures that will remind us of how abnormal our year was.

Senioritis Hits Hard in 2021

Kate Moran, Staff Writer
January 12, 2021
Fireworks light up the sky on December 5, 2020 as locals and tourists gather socially distanced around town to watch. Hot chocolate in hand, and winter coats on, it's certainly not the weather conditions one imagines watching fireworks in, but it is more than a unique experience. This time of year has its natural beauty, so the added festivity to that is just that much more memorable.

Hometown Holiday Spirit

Kate Moran, Staff Writer
December 16, 2020
You are seeing it here, a school activity taking place during this 2020 school year. Jovian Pham competes in the first speech meet of the year, taking seventh place in the novice competition. “This season is happening, and I feel like everyone should take a short at it, it truly is simple, and you can literally do it from your bedroom” said Jovian Pham ‘22. If this is something that looks like it sparks your interest, reach out, get involved, and simply have fun with the Speech Team. 

The Competition Is On

Kate Moran, Staff Writer
December 14, 2020
Rise and shine, it's time to put in the work on your own time. Senior basketball athlete Corrina Noble spends many hours of her day in the gym, and even though it can not be with her teammates at this time, she is making the days count. “I am staying really hopeful and waiting for our season. I know that I’m responsible for myself and staying in shape so I’ve been getting in the gym as much as possible,” said Corrina Noble ‘21. “I know that not everyone can do that but I know that if I show I’m still ready for a season then I hope my teammates will also feel that way.” Hard work in the off season is essential to creating a strong team all around.

Red Light, Green Light, Now Stuck on Yellow

Kate Moran, Staff Writer
December 8, 2020
Only in 2020

Only in 2020

Kate Moran, Staff Writer
November 13, 2020
Kate Moran

Kate Moran

Kate Moran, Staff Writer
November 6, 2020
“I swear we didn't plan this.” Galena High School volleyball team dressed in all black on October 15, 2020, just as a fun bonding experience. As they entered practice, Coach Wills began noticing a pattern, all were in black. The previous practice, the senior girls wore their freshman year warmup shirts, so they thought all wearing black would be a good way to get the whole team on board. “Volleyball is not like it has been in the past, so our team does little things like this, to make it a little more fun,” said Julia Townsend ‘23. “This is a fun yet practical way for us to bond and make memories during this crazy, unsure season.”

Hustle, Hit, Never Quit

Kate Moran, Staff Writer
November 2, 2020
All in making masks for the community, Danielle Stephanopoulos ‘23, Julia Townsend ‘23, Morgan McIntyre ‘21, Kate Moran ‘21, Alex Oberbroeckling ‘23, Maddy Glasgow ‘22, and Spencer Crawford ‘21 display the large selection of masks they created for the hospital. These students took on the task of making masks after Mrs. Bookless saw on Facebook that the Midwest Medical Center was asking for volunteers to donate. “No volunteer work I have done in the past compares to this,” said Morgan McIntyre ‘21. “Not only did we get to practice our sewing skills, but we get the satisfaction of knowing they are going to help others.”

Mask Making Machines

Kate Moran, Staff Writer
October 23, 2020
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