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The student news site of Glenbard South High School in Glen Ellyn, Illinois

The Independent

The student news site of Glenbard South High School in Glen Ellyn, Illinois

The Independent

The student news site of Glenbard South High School in Glen Ellyn, Illinois

The Independent

2024-2025 Staff

Haley Wong
Editor in Chief

Haley Wong

My name is Haley Wong, and I am one of The Independent’s two editors in chief this year! I am a senior and, when I’m not editing, you might just find me sharing a story with the Creative Writing Club or rehearsing for upcom...

Simona Georgieva
Editor in Chief

Simona Georgieva

My name is Simona Georgieva. I am a senior and one of the editor in chiefs this year. Outside of Newspaper I participate in French Club and FMPC. In my free time, I enjoy hanging out with friends, listening to Lana Del Rey and...

Ella Pope
In-Depth Editor

Ella Pope

My name is Ella Pope and I am a senior. I do cheerleading and I am in multiple clubs including Earth Action Network and Student Council. In my free time I like to bake, hang out with my friends, and read.

Olivia Weber
Opinions Editor

Olivia Weber

Hi! My name is Olivia Weber. I am a senior here at South and I am the Opinons editor this year. I participate in South’s band, orchestra, and cross country and soccer teams in addition to a variety of other activities. In my...

Liza Boguslavsky
Scoop Editor

Liza Boguslavsky

Hi! My name is Liza Boguslavsky, I am a Senior, and I am the Scoop section editor! I love Hozier, musical theatre, poetry, and I am an artistic roller skater.

Olivia Cernauske
Sports Editor

Olivia Cernauske

My name is Olivia Cernauske, I’m a junior and the Sports section editor this year! I am involved in dance, basketball, badminton, student council, best buddies, key club, and of course newspaper! I like hanging out with friends,...

Amelia Buhle
Creative Corner and Graphics Editor

Amelia Buhle

Hello! I’m Amelia Buhle, and I’m the graphics and creative corner editor. I grew up reading comics from the paper as a kid, and my passion has only bloomed from there. I also enjoy painting and reading!

Kaitlyn Urbanowicz
Multimedia Editor

Kaitlyn Urbanowicz

My name is Kaitlyn Urbanowicz. I am a Senior and the editor for the multimedia section. When I’m not writing for the Glenbard South Independent I participate in theater, the announcements, student council, and many other activit...

Emma Cernauske
In-Depth Writer

Emma Cernauske

My name is Emma Cernauske. I am a freshman writing for the In-Depth section of The Independent. I participate in GBS Tennis, Key Club, and more activities. In my free time, I like to spend time with friends, read, and play tennis...

Claire Long
In-Depth Writer

Claire Long

My name is Claire Long. I am a freshman and I’m one of the writers in the in-depth section. In my free time, I love dancing, hanging out with friends, and watching my favorite shows.

Hannah Coppolino
In-Depth Writer

Hannah Coppolino

My name is Hannah Coppolino. I am a freshman and a write for the In-depth section. In my free time I enjoy hanging out with my friends, playing soccer and tennis and also listening to music.

Sophie Sweeney
In-Depth Writer

Sophie Sweeney

My name is Sophie Sweeney. I am a freshman, and I write for the In-Depth section.  I love long car rides, music, and singing. At Glenbard South, I am a part of Key Club, French Club, the tennis team and choir.

Charlotte Edwards
In-Depth Writer

Charlotte Edwards

My name is Charlotte Edwards. I am a freshman and one of the writers for the In-Depth section. I play trumpet in band and love listening to music such as Taylor Swift and Noah Kahan.

Aman Buera
In-Depth Writer

Aman Buera

Hello, my name is Aman! I am a sophomore and an writer for the In-Depth section. I am also in Student Council and play the piano!

Colin Bab
Opinions Writer

Colin Bab

Hi my name is Colin I am a school newspaper writer. Outside of the newspaper I do Model UN and golf. If you have any questions email me!

Yusra Shaikh
Opinions Writer

Yusra Shaikh

My name is Yusra Shaikh. I am a sophomore and one of the writers for the Opinions section. I participate in FMPC and Speech team. In my free time I love to read, hangout with my friends, or play badminton.

Ayush Shah
Opinions Writer

Ayush Shah

My name is Ayush Shah. I am a sophomore and I write for the opinion section. I participate in Chess club, Mock trial, and Model UN.

David Puchalski
Opinions Writer

David Puchalski

Hi! I’m David Puchalski and I am a junior opinions writer. I enjoy playing sports like basketball, volleyball, and especially soccer.

Augusta Leimonas
Opinions Writer

Augusta Leimonas

My name is Augusta Leimonas. I am a junior and I write for the Opinions section. I enjoy playing tennis in and out of school. In my free time, I like to hang out with my friends.

Amelia Bartoli
Scoop Writer

Amelia Bartoli

My name is Amelia Bartoli. I am a freshman and I write for the Scoop. I participate in band, choir, Unaccompanied Minors, Treble Threat, and Drama Honor Society. I like to hang out with my friends in my spare time.

Maddy Govertsen
Scoop Writer

Maddy Govertsen

Hi! My name is Maddy Govertsen, I'm a freshman, and I write for the Scoop section. I love playing viola and listening to Billy Joel.

Sofia Arriaga
Scoop Writer

Sofia Arriaga

My name is Sofia Arriaga. I am a freshman and I write for The Scoop. I am a part of Drama Honor Society, Model U.N., Key Club, Student Council, and Earth Action Network. I love to listen to Billie Eilish, read, bake, and spend...

Nora Martinez
Scoop Writer

Nora Martinez

My name is Nora Martinez and I write for the scoop section. I am a freshman. I am a part of girls tennis, student council, key club, and band. In my free time I enjoy reading, listening to The Smiths, hanging out with my friends,...

Aniyah Nelson
Scoop Writer

Aniyah Nelson

Hi! My name is Aniyah Nelson and I’m a senior that's a part of the scoop section. I like acting, cooking, and keeping myself busy with lots of different activities. Some might say I’m short n’ sweet!

Abby Edwards
Scoop Writer

Abby Edwards

  Hi! I’m Abby Edwards. I’m a senior and part of the scoop section! I love to hike, read, and be creative!

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Sports Writer

Gabia Judickas

My name is Gabia Judickas and I am a junior sports writer this year! I am also in key club and student council. In my free time, I enjoy hanging out with friends, listening to music, and traveling.

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Sports Writer

Sydney David

My name is Sydney David and I am a junior sports writer for this year. At Glenbard South, I participate in many sports and clubs like golf, basketball, track, best buddies, student council, etc. A few things that I like to do...

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Sports Writer

Alexandra Yates

My name is Alexandra Yates and I am a junior and writer in the Sports section. I enjoy watching reality TV like The Bachelor, spending time with my friends, a refreshing Cherry Diet Coke and going to the beach!

Jillian DeMayo
Sports Writer

Jillian DeMayo

My name is Jillian DeMayo and I am a sophomore and writer for the sports section in Newspaper Club this year. I am a member of cross country, basketball, and softball. In my free time when I'm not playing sports I love hanging...

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Sports Writer

Samantha Sadorf

Hi, my name is Samantha Sadorf. I am a junior and one of the writers for the Sports section. I participate in STUCO and tennis. In my free time I like to hang out with my friends and read books.

Erin Whitehead
Illustrator

Erin Whitehead

Hello! I’m Erin, a sophomore. I make illustrations and graphics for the paper. I love art, music, science, and literature. I play viola in the school’s Concert Orchestra and volunteer tutor with the Glen Ellyn Children’s...

Alishbaa Karim
Illustrator

Alishbaa Karim

Hi, I’m Alishbaa! I’m a senior and this year, I’m excited to create some awesome pieces! I love reading, science, art, and writing. I’m looking forward to a great year.

Zoe Price
Illustrator

Zoe Price

Hi! My name is Zoe Price, and I’m a senior who draws comics for the creative corner! I love character design and have taken every art class at Glenbard south.

Elise Fey
Illustrator

Elise Fey

Hi, I'm Elise and I'm an illustrator and graphics artist for the independent. I have been working at a graphic design studio for the past couple years. Besides art, I play trumpet in the band!...

Asma Irfanullah
Illustrator

Asma Irfanullah

Hello, my name is Asma Irfanullah! I am a Senior in MSA, Newspaper, NHS, and Principal's Advisory Board. I enjoy reading and drawing, and I'm looking forward to conquering my last year of high school!

Mikey Alam
Illustrator

Mikey Alam

My name is Mikey, I'm a senior at Glenbard South and I'm doing comics! I love doing traditional/digital art and I want to be an animator in the future. I love Spiderman and cowboys, and my favorite movies are Everything Everywhere All...

Yasmin Gomez
Multimedia Creator

Yasmin Gomez

Hello! I’m Yasmin Gomez, a creator for the multimedia section as well as the student connection anchor for announcements. I’m involved in a lot of things here at school such as being Mock Trial President, a Board member for...

Ella Cottman
Multimedia Creator

Ella Cottman

Hi! My name is Ella Cottman and I’m a Junior. This is my second year in Newspaper. When I’m not writing or recording for the Independent, I love dancing, reading, playing videogames, and hanging out with my friends!

Robert Gates Jr.

I'm a senior athletic training student at Glenbard South, going to college for athletic training.

Fatimah Shahid
School News Writer

Fatimah Shahid

Hi! My name is Fatimah Shahid. I’m a sophomore here at South, and I am one of the writers for the School News Section. Additionally, I’m a part of Student Council and other leadership groups. In my free time I love going to...

Lizzie Pekkarinen
School News Editor

Lizzie Pekkarinen

My name is Lizzie Pekkarinen and I am a junior and a writer for School News. Outside of Newspaper I am involved with Best Buddies, Robotics, Math Team, Theater, and French Club. In my free time you can find me drawing, or rea...