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

2023-2024 Staff

Haley Wong
Editor in Chief

Haley Wong

My name is Haley Wong and I am one of the Editors in Chief this year! When I’m not in the trenches of my junior year coursework, I love to read, write, make way too many Spotify playlists and spend endless hours on Pinteres...

Emma Pekkarinen
Editor in Chief

Emma Pekkarinen

My name is Emma Pekkarinen and I am a senior and one of the Co-Editors in Chief this year. When I’m not writing articles for The Independent you can find me reading, baking, or enjoying a walk outside. At South I also am a mem...

Lizzie Pekkarinen
School News Editor

Lizzie Pekkarinen

My name is Lizzie Pekkarinen and I am a sophomore and a writer for School News. Outside of Newspaper I am involved with Future Teachers, Best Buddies, Theater, and French Club. In my free time you can find me drawing, or reading...

Ella Pope
School News Editor

Ella Pope

My name is Ella Pope and I am a junior. 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.

Kathy Georgieva
In-Depth Editor

Kathy Georgieva

My name is Kathy Georgieva, and I am a senior and editor for In-Depth. I am also involved in Yearbook and French Club. In my free time, I love reading (and spending hours strolling through bookstores), writing, walking in nature, and...

Emily Puchalski
Opinions Editor

Emily Puchalski

My name is Emily Puchalski and I am a senior and an editor for the Opinions section. I participate in tennis, STEM Club, Model U.N. Math Team, and various other organizations. In my free time, I enjoy listening to music, spending time o...

Simona Georgieva
Sports Editor

Simona Georgieva

My name is Simona Georgieva, I am a junior, and one of the editors for the Sports section . I participate in French Club. In my free time, I enjoy hanging out with friends, listening to Lana Del Rey, and watching true crime documentaries.

Matilda McLaren
Feature Editor

Matilda McLaren

Hi! My name is Matilda McLaren and I am a senior and the feature editor for this year. I am involved with Best Buddies, Future Medical Professionals Club, and Student Equity Council. In my free time, I enjoy reading new books,...

Ella Cottman
School News Writer

Ella Cottman

My name is Ella Cottman and I’m a sophomore and I’m a writer for the school news section. I’m a competitive dancer and a member of student council. Outside of school, I love to read, paint, watch a good movie, discover new...

Maggie Falkenberg
School News Writer

Maggie Falkenberg

My name is Maggie Falkenberg and I’m a senior this year. I’m the Independent’s Social Media Editor and a writer for School News. Other than Newspaper, I’m involved with South’s Dance Team, French Club, and Band.  

Anna Cleland
Scoop Writer

Anna Cleland

My name is Anna Cleland and I’m a junior at Glenbard South. Besides the newspaper, I am involved in Principal Advisory Board and Link Crew. When I’m not in school, I enjoy listening to music, reading, exercising, and hanging o...

Olivia Weber
Scoop Writer

Olivia Weber

Hi! My name is Olivia Weber. I am a junior here at South and am a writer for the Scoop section this year. I participate in South’s band, orchestra, and cross country and soccer teams in addition to a variety of other activities....

Emily Cascio
Scoop Writer

Emily Cascio

My name is Emily Cascio! I am a senior and I write for scoop. I'm involved in the GBS choir, Dance Team, and theater. Outside of school I do competitive dance and ballet. I love to read and work-out and I work on the weekends. Love...

Grace Rolston
Scoop Writer

Grace Rolston

Hi! My name is Grace and I'm a senior this year! I'm super excited to be writing for scoop this year as well! I'm involved in theater and also like to do horsebackriding in my free time!

Aniyah Nelson
Scoop Writer

Aniyah Nelson

My name is Aniyah Nelson and I am a junior, writing for the scoop section. I like acting, cooking, and keeping myself busy with lots of different activities.

Annie Boguslavsky
Scoop Writer

Annie Boguslavsky

My name is Annie Boguslavsky and I am a junior and writer for the Scoop section. I do artistic rollerskating outside of school, and in school I participate in PRISM and Key club. In my free time I love to bike, crochet and read.

Abby Edwards
Scoop Writer

Abby Edwards

  Hi! My name is Abby Edwards, I am a junior, and I am a part of the Scoop section! I am learning how to be a pilot, and I love music, hiking, and reading.

Amina Irfanullah
Scoop Writer

Amina Irfanullah

I am Amina Irfanullah and I am a senior here at Glenbard South High School. I am currently in NHS, MSA, and Principal's Advisory Board besides Newspaper. My current goal for this year is to finish strong and post as many articles...

Lili Olson
Scoop Writer

Lili Olson

My name is Lili Olson and I’m a senior. I am a part of the theatre program, key club, and gender equality club. My hobbies include baking, reading, and hanging out with my friends.

Ayush Shah
In-Depth Writer

Ayush Shah

Leo Obrill
In-Depth Writer

Leo Obrill

Delilah Durek
In-Depth Writer

Delilah Durek

Juliana Henry
In-Depth Writer

Juliana Henry

Hi! I'm Juliana Henry and I am a Newspaper writer and senior at Glenbard South this year! I frequently enjoy writing and reading in my free time, and I'm very proud to be a part of the GBS theatre and music department. :)

Isha Shah
In-Depth Writer

Isha Shah

I'm Isha Shah, and I am a senior creator for the Video section. In my free time, I enjoy birding, learning, reading, and doing various outdoor activities like camping. At school, I participate in Earth Action Network, STEM Club,...

Erika Hartman
In-Depth Writer

Erika Hartman

My name is Erika Hartman, and I am a junior writing for In-depth. I am in several clubs at GBS including Student Council and Earth Action Network. I play basketball and tennis and love to read and bake in my spare time!

Augusta Leimonas
Opinions Writer

Augusta Leimonas

My name is Augusta Leimonas and I am a sophomore at Glenbard South. I enjoy playing tennis in and out of school. In my free time, I like to spend time outside with my family and hang out with my friends.

Ava Benes
Opinions Writer

Ava Benes

I’m Ava Benes, a senior and a writer for the opinions  section. Outside of newspaper I’m on the girls cross country team, on the principal's advisory council and plan to do girls bowling in the winter...

Natalie Coleman
Opinions Writer

Natalie Coleman

Alex Arquilla
Opinions Writer

Alex Arquilla

Sydney David
Sports Writer

Sydney David

My name is Sydney David and I am a sophomore 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...

Olivia Cernauske
Sports Writer

Olivia Cernauske

My name is Olivia Cernauske and I am a sophomore sports writer 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, shopping,...

Sports Writer

Alexandra Yates

My name is Alexandra Yates and I am a Sophomore sports writer this year! Some of my favorite hobbies and activities to do at Glenbard South include swim team, yearbook club, and volunteering. In my free time, I like to hang out...

Sports Writer

Fatimah Shahid

Hi! My name is Fatimah Shahid. I’m one of the writers for the Sports Section of Glenbard South's newspaper. I’m also a tennis player and I’m a part of Student Council. In my free time, I love going to Six Flags and watching...

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...

David Puchalski
Sports Writer

David Puchalski

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

Mary Kate Pinkelman
Sports Writer

Mary Kate Pinkelman

My name is Mary Kate Pinkelman and I am a Junior sports writer this year! At Glenbard South I am involved in a variety of sports and clubs including soccer, basketball, cross country, Pass the Aux and more. In my free time, I...

Feature Writer

Enaya Siddiqui

My name is Enaya and I'm a junior this year! Some clubs I am a part of include Model UN, MSA, and of course newspaper! I'm also involved in volunteer work and YMS outside of school.

Farah Sudhir
Video Creator

Farah Sudhir

Hi, my name is Farah. I am a Freshman and a creator for the video section. I am also in various other activities at South like Student Council, Key Club, MSA, and Badminton. In my free time I like learning new things and spending...

Aman Buera
Video Creator

Aman Buera

Hello, I’m Aman! I’m a Freshman and creator for the video section. I’m in other clubs like student council and key club. I enjoy playing the piano, reading, and watching movies!

Zoe Price
Illustrator

Zoe Price

Hello, I'm Zoe and I'm an illustrator for the independent, I love to draw, make comics, watch cartoons, and listen to music in my free time!

Mikey Alam
Illustrator

Mikey Alam

Hey guys!! My name's Mikey and I'm an illustrator for the newspaper! I enjoy doing theatre and doing traditional/digital art in my free time! :D

Elise Fey
Illustrator

Elise Fey

Hi, I'm Elise and I'm an illustrator and graphics artist for the independent. Besides art, I do volleyball and play trumpet in the band!

Amelia Buehle
Creative Corner Editor

Amelia Buehle

Hey, my nam is Amelia Buhle and I'm an illustrator for the Independent. I enjoy drawing (duh), cooking, and badminton.

Kaitlyn Urbanowicz
Multimedia Editor

Kaitlyn Urbanowicz

My name is Kaitlyn Urbanowicz. I am a junior 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...

Liza Boguslavsky
Scoop Section Editor

Liza Boguslavsky

Hi! My name is Liza Boguslavsky, I am a Junior, and this year I am the Scoop section editor! I participate in artistic roller skating, and in my free time I love reading, writing poetry, and listening to Hozier.  

Jaden Juengel
Graphics and Illustrations Editor

Jaden Juengel

I am a Senior at Glenbard South and an editor for the graphics and illustrations section of the newspaper. In my free time I enjoy reading, watching movies, and writing.

Asma Irfanullah
Opinions Writer and Illustrator

Asma Irfanullah

My name is Asma Irfanullah, a Junior and member of Newspaper Club and MSA. I love to draw and sometimes write stories to pass the time, even though I'm not the best at either.