Your World. Your Stories. Everyday.

METEA MEDIA

Your World. Your Stories. Everyday.

METEA MEDIA

Your World. Your Stories. Everyday.

METEA MEDIA

Emily Veenstra

Emily Veenstra

Emily Veenstra is a senior and this is her first year on the Stampede. She enjoys learning American Sign Language, trying new foods, and traveling. When she is not at school, you can find her either in her car listening to music or watching TV with her dogs.

All content by Emily Veenstra
Olivia Toole plans to study statistics at the University of Illinois.

Farewell Friday: Olivia Toole

Emily Veenstra
May 21, 2021

What are your plans for after high school? After high school, I will be going to the University of Illinois. There, I will be studying statistics.   What are you most excited about after...

Frida Guerra is a senior who plans to attend the University of Illinois Urbana Champaign.

Farewell Friday: Frida Guerra

Emily Veenstra
May 7, 2021

What are your plans after high school? I will be attending the University of Illinois Urbana Champaign. There, I will be studying Lyric Theater.   What are you looking forward to the most...

The Will County Mass Vaccination Center, held in an old Toys R Us building.

My COVID Vaccine experience

Emily Veenstra
April 27, 2021

It was April 17 at 3:43 p.m. when I arrived at the facility that had once been a Toys R Us. It was warm out, which is strange for April in Joliet The sun was hot as it beat down into the car. I patiently...

Jakob Zeitner is a senior who will be attending Arizona State University.

Farewell Friday: Jakob Zeitner

Emily Veenstra
April 23, 2021

What are your plans after high school? After I graduate, I will be attending Arizona State University. I will be majoring in communications.   What are you looking forward to in college? I...

Government teacher Micheal ONeill believes it is important for students to develop their own political beliefs.

Teachers opening the floor for political opinions in classrooms continues to be a complicated topic of discussion

Cache Merriweather and Emily Veenstra
April 15, 2021

  Last August, a teacher in Texas was put on leave after putting up an LGBTQ+ and BLM flag in her virtual classroom. Although she was reinstated a few days later, the situation raised questions...

Dial Tones by As It Is

Dial Tones by As It Is

Emily Veenstra, Spotlight Reporter
March 25, 2021

Dial Tones comes from As It Is’ first full length album “Never Happy, Ever After.”  Dial Tones is one of my all time favorite songs, mostly during the pandemic. It reminds me of standing shoulder...

Least Favorite Only Child by Leanna Firestone

Least Favorite Only Child by Leanna Firestone

Emily Veenstra, Spotlight Reporter
March 25, 2021

Leanna Firestone has been one of my favorite artists the past few months. Her typical song writing style focuses on relationships based off of different animes and is upbeat and centered around love. “Least...

Chicken Tendies by Clinton Kane

Chicken Tendies by Clinton Kane

Emily Veenstra, Spotlight Reporter
March 25, 2021

While the name might throw a few people off, Chicken Tendies has nothing to do with chicken tenders at all. The first time I heard this song was a 15 second clip on TikTok and I immediately fell in love...

Rayne Stokes is a senior graduating this year.

Farewell Friday: Rayne Stokes

Emily Veenstra
March 12, 2021

What are your plans for after high school? I will be attending college at Bradley University. I really like how connected the school is and how close it is to home. I will be double majoring in sociology...

JoJo Siwa came out and people were not happy about it.

JoJo Siwa’s coming out hopes to bring change to children’s television

Emily Veenstra
February 24, 2021

Celebrities can have a big impact on their fans. They become giant billboards, asking followers to buy their merchandise or other sponsored items. For celebrities with a fan base consisting of mainly children,...

Goldfish Swim school is one business fighting to recover from the lasting effects of the pandemic.

Recovering Businesses: Goldfish Swim School

Emily Veenstra
February 12, 2021

Since the first lockdown, restaurants have been forced to become delivery and takeout-only businesses. Social distancing has limited the number of people allowed in buildings. Activities and gyms have...

Senior Andrew Bradshaw has been involved with baseball since he was four years old.

Humans of Metea: Necklaces for Mark

Emily Veenstra
January 22, 2021

Finding something positive in a negative situation is never easy to do. Discovering the positive moments during a pandemic is even harder. Junior Mary Kate Farmer, founder of Necklaces for Mark, sells...

Wonder Woman seemed to be a glimmer of hope, it was expected to empower women and be a distraction from the real world, but it failed.

Weekly Movie Review: ‘Wonder Woman 1984’ is not as wonderful as it seems

Emily Veenstra, Spotlight Reporter
January 15, 2021

Many people look forward to the big superhero movie release of the year. With theaters closed this year, “Wonder Woman 1984” was a glisten of hope to finally bring some excitement and entertainment...

Winter Sports athletes begin to adjust to online practices while athletics are still on hold.

Athletes find ways to bond after winter sports postponed

Emily Veenstra
December 14, 2020

The IHSA announced a pause to all winter sports on Nov. 19. The winter season, which was supposed to begin on Nov. 16, came to a pause as Governor Pritzker implemented new mitigations that went into effect...

Background Noise by Happy.

Background Noise by Happy.

Emily Veenstra, Spotlight Reporter
November 30, 2020

Happy. has been one of my favorite bands for almost two years now, and the progression of their style has amazed me. “Background Noise” is one of the songs that has impressed me the most. “Background...

I’m Okay Though by Sara Kays

I’m Okay Though by Sara Kays

Emily Veenstra, Spolight Reporter
November 30, 2020

When I first heard “I’m Okay Though” I had to sit back for a minute to process the song. While it is not the most fun song to listen to, it almost perfectly put the silent struggle of anxiety into...

El Camino by Not My Weekend

El Camino by Not My Weekend

Emily Veenstra, Spolight Reporter
November 30, 2020

Not My Weekend creates music that makes me feel alive and happy. “El Camino” is no different. I fell in love with the song because it makes me feel like I am driving with my windows down with my friends....

COVID-19 cases are rising, so doctors and scientists are discovering new solutions.

COVID-19 cases increase, our actions continue to impact other people

Emily Veenstra, Spotlight Reporter
November 20, 2020

As someone working during the pandemic, I have had to remind countless amounts of people of social distance and wear their masks for the safety of others. People are tired of the pandemic, but we have...

Senior Andrew Bradshaw has been involved with baseball since he was four years old.

Humans of Metea: Dylan Catapat

Emily Veenstra
November 13, 2020

Senior Dylan Catapat has been involved in theater since elementary school. He is a cast member in the majority of Metea’s theater productions, including the upcoming play “War of the Worlds.” Due...

Learning about mental health is necessary for students of all ages.

The Stampede teaser: The PE department implements new mental health lessons for online learning

Emily Veenstra, Spotlight Reporter
November 12, 2020

Students that once used the safe space of Metea Valley classrooms now lose that by being in their own homes. Almost everyone is struggling in one way or another during online learning. Between constantly...

Senior Elizabeth Huang prepares for her return to school.

Safety measures expected to be taken for school’s new hybrid plan

Emily Veenstra
October 15, 2020

IPSD held a virtual meeting discussing the district's plans to return back to school on Oct. 5. This plan involves students coming back to an in-person environment in patterns based on their last name...

Senior Andrew Bradshaw has been involved with baseball since he was four years old.

Humans of Metea: Kristian Aleksandrov

Emily Veenstra
October 2, 2020

Kristian Aleksandrov is a senior who moved to District 204 from Bulgaria in 2016. Before he moved, he was a competitive swimmer, winning over 60 medals in the sport. Kristian now swims for the school’s...

MV Citizens was created to give civic opportunites to the students of Metea.

Humans of Metea: MV Citizens Co-Founders Ijeoma Ogbonna and Shriman Gupta

Cache Merriweather and Emily Veenstra
September 18, 2020

Metea Valley Citizens is a new club created to spread political information and give access to civic opportunities to those who do not have this privilege. Senior Ijeoma Ogbonna is the co-founder of Metea...

As the SAT approaches, students are cramming in last minute study sessions and practice tests.

Communication surrounding the SAT and college applications leaves seniors feeling unprepared

Emily Veenstra
September 18, 2020

As college applications open, seniors are rushing to complete their SATs in time. After the school-administered SAT was canceled last March, the district informed seniors on September 4 that they will...

COVID-19 continues to interfere with learning patterns as students return to the new school year.

Inconsistencies with education continues in a global pandemic

Since March, the Mustangs have been taking on more responsibilities at home. They have been occupied with watching their siblings, cooking for their families, and keeping up with online courses. With school...

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Emily Veenstra