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METEA MEDIA

Your World. Your Stories. Everyday.

METEA MEDIA

Your World. Your Stories. Everyday.

METEA MEDIA

Isabelle Leofanti

Isabelle Leofanti

Isabelle Leofanti is a senior and this is her third year on staff as the Lead Investigative Reporter. She is on the varsity soccer team and varsity swim team here at Metea Valley High School. She enjoys hanging out with her friends and family in her free time, traveling, shopping, and reading. She is also actively involved in the Captains Council.

All content by Isabelle Leofanti
Attendees at DNC had a once in a lifetime opportunity.

The DNC provided opportunities for many attendees

Isabelle Leofanti and Dhiya Ashlyn D.S.
September 12, 2024

Individuals unrelated to politics were guaranteed an opportunity at the Democratic National Convention (DNC). The DNC, held by the United States Democratic Party, was hosted in Chicago, from Aug. 19-22....

The 2024 Democratic National Convention was held at United Center in Chicago.

Democrats rally at DNC

The 2024 Democratic National Convention was held at United Center in Chicago. Supporters, politicians, creators, and reporters gathered for the historical event. Vice President Kamala Harris offically...

Illinois has switched from the SAT to the ACT as a graduation requirement. (Images from College Board and ACT)

Illinois students required to take the ACT starting next year

Isabelle Leofanti, Headlines Editor
May 22, 2024

High school juniors will be required to take the ACT instead of the SAT to graduate in Illinois starting next school year. This decision was finalized by the Illinois State Board of Education last Wednesday,...

A pipe burst at Neuqua Valley high school last winter, causing damage in the school. Indian Prairie is asking the community to approve a limiting tax rate increase to hire additional mental health professionals and address building needs.

District asks community to approve new funding proposal

Isabelle Leofanti, Headlines Editor
May 17, 2024

Indian Prairie School District 204 is looking to implement the “Safer, Stronger 204” limiting rate tax referendum to improve buildings within the district structurally, add more mental health resources,...

A trio views the solar eclipse as it approaches near-totality.

After a seven year wait, Metea Valley students experience a solar eclipse

Metea Valley students observed a near-total solar eclipse yesterday, Tuesday, April 8, 2024. As the last solar eclipse visible in the Aurora area was back in 2017, yesterday provided an opportunity for...

Mental Health Symposium gives an opportunity for building emotional well-being and health among students, teachers, parents, and more.

Mental Health Symposium offers the community information and resources for overall wellness

Isabelle Leofanti, News Editor
March 8, 2024

In collaboration with West Aurora School District 129, Indian Prairie School District 204 is hosting a Mental Health Symposium at Metea on Saturday, March 9. This event is open to all teens and adults...

Students freely interact with the candidates attending the fair, asking questions and receiving information.

Citizens of Metea hosts Primary Candidate Fair for the upcoming March elections

Isabelle Leofanti, Bella Sieben, and Lily Senese
February 28, 2024

Citizens of Metea hosted their Primary Candidate Fair in preparation for the upcoming March elections on Feb. 20. With 12 candidates in attendance, the civic service club welcomed both students and candidates...

Oppression, no matter how far away, is doomed to affect all those who have a relationship to the place and people involved in the conflict.

Conflict between Israel and Hamas increases attention with students

Isabelle Leofanti, News Editor
February 14, 2024

As the war between Israel and Hamas moves into its eighteenth week, Metea Valley students and staff are feeling the impact of the conflict closer to home. Since the dispute between both the fully equipped...

The NEHS book drive offers an opportunity for students to donate any unused books, giving them a new home.

National English Honor Society begins its book drive

Isabelle Leofanti and Bella Sieben
February 7, 2024

Metea Valley’s National English Honor Society kicks off its book drive today, February 7, through the 16. Throughout the Book Drive, students will have the opportunity to drop off new or gently used...

Mustang Career Partnership Program hosts STEM Field Career Panel

Mustang Career Partnership Program hosts STEM Field Career Panel

Isabelle Leofanti, Headlines Editor
January 25, 2024

The Mustang Career Partnership Program hosted a Science, Technology, Engineering/Mathematics (STEM) Field Career Panel last Friday during all lunch periods. This event allowed students the opportunity...

Electives fair allows students to explore more than 130 courses

Electives fair allows students to explore more than 130 courses

Isabelle Leofanti, Lily Senese, and Bella Sieben
January 19, 2024

Representatives from each elective offered at Metea gathered in the LMC to provide information to current freshmen, sophomores, and juniors on classes offered last Thursday. Throughout the event, students...

Breaking news: Martin Luther King Day of Service has been postponed

Breaking news: Martin Luther King Day of Service has been postponed

Isabelle Leofanti, Headlines Editor
January 12, 2024

On account of the seriously cold, “school closure” range weather forecasted, the Martin Luther King Day of Service has been rescheduled to Friday, January 19. During all lunch periods, students will...

Breaking news: e-Learning Day issued for extreme winter weather

Breaking news: e-Learning Day issued for extreme winter weather

Isabelle Leofanti, Headlines Editor
January 11, 2024

Due to the forecasted winter weather conditions, District 204 announced an asynchronous e-Learning Day for all students tomorrow, Friday, January 12, 2024. All scheduled in-person classes will be online....

New tardy policy leads to 59% increase in first period tardies

New tardy policy leads to 59% increase in first period tardies

Isabelle Leofanti and Bella Sieben
December 19, 2023

First period tardies have skyrocketed with a 59% increase compared to the week of October 30, the week before Metea Valley administrators implemented first period tardy sweeps. Administrators implemented...

After hosting Metea's first ever Writer's Week, organizers and participants alike believe the event to be a success

Writer’s week gives opportunities to prospective writers

Isabelle Leofanti, News Editor
October 6, 2023

Throughout this past week, the English Department and LMC hosted their first writer's week with writing workshops, author visits, alumni guests, and educator guests. All students were able to attend during...

National Suicide Prevention Awareness Month aims to bring attention to an epidemic that affects millions

National Suicide Prevention Awareness Month brings much needed attention to an overlooked problem

Isabelle Leofanti, News Editor
October 2, 2023

Each year, September is classified as National Suicide Prevention Month. This month is crucial to raise awareness about suicide prevention, remember those who lost their lives, acknowledge the people and...

Metea Valley has placed 25th for best high schools in Illinois according to US News & World.

US News & World reports Metea Valley’s ranking compared to other high schools in Illinois

Isabelle Leofanti, News Editor
September 17, 2023

U.S. News & World Report ranked Metea Valley High School number 25 for best high schools in Illinois and number 626 in the nation. Last year, Metea was ranked number 26 in Illinois.  As the American...

Metea Valley administrators say that in-school suspension is beneficial for correcting student behavior.  Students, however, believe the program is harmful for their education.

In School Suspension: Discipline in the absence of intervention

Isabelle Leofanti and Madison Moon
May 26, 2023

In the confines of the in-school suspension room, silence hangs in the air, stifling any hope for a collective and positive learning environment. It is as if the time itself has slowed, with students sitting...

[Video] Mini Mustangs graduate from preschool

Isabelle Leofanti, News Reporter
May 25, 2023

On Thursday May 18th, the Mini mustangs had their preschool graduation ceremony and celebration. After the ceremony, the pre schoolers walked around the school, being celebrated by students and staff.

Metea's world language week started March 20th with the purpose of recognizing language diversity.

World Language Week: honoring language diversity

Metea celebrated the annual World Language/ESL Week from Mon. March 20 to Fri. March 24. The world language and ESL departments planned various activities for students, such as a trivia competition, special...

A local candidate fair hosted by CItizens of Metea was hosted in the LMC on Wensday, March 25th from 6:00 to 7:30 PM.

Citizens of Metea host their second local candidate fair

Isabelle Leofanti and Chloe Stables
March 21, 2023

Citizens of Metea just hosted their second local candidate fair in preparation for the election last Wednesday evening. The City Council Candidate Forum hosted running school board candidates, Aurora alderman,...

Granger students talk about how they felt during the lock down after witnessing the intruder.

Students experience fear and confusion during Granger lock down

Isabelle Leofanti and Madison Moon
March 13, 2023

Aurora Police Officers arrested and charged an intruder following the Granger lockdown on February 22. The charges include one count of criminal trespass to a safe school zone and one count of disorderly...

Granger put on lock down in response to suspicious trespasser

Granger put on lock down in response to suspicious trespasser

Isabelle Leofanti and Madison Moon
February 23, 2023

Granger students and staff went into a lockdown yesterday at 8:00 a.m.  Aurora Police Officers responded to a report of a suspicious person, identified as 20-year-old Brandt Ward of Aurora, trespassing...

AP African American studies in a new course by the College Board.

College Board offers AP African American studies course

Madison Moon, Lindsey Hall, and Isabelle Leofanti
February 17, 2023

College Board has developed an AP African American studies course, which is now being piloted across select schools. The course provides students with an introduction to the experience of Black Americans....

 Young Hearts For Life provided free heart screenings for students.

Young Hearts 4 Life offers free heart screenings for students

Lindsey Hall, Isabelle Leofanti, and Madison Moon
February 10, 2023

Metea hosted the Young Hearts 4 Life cardiac screening on Feb. 7 in the main gym. The program offered a free and painless electrocardiogram (ECG), which flagged students who may be at risk for certain...

 Leadership positions presented cause competition between males and females

Society needs to consider demanding women leaders

Isabelle Leofanti
January 26, 2023

From the outset, women have been distinguished as unworthy of equal rights obtained by men due to a simple factor, their sex. Looking back, women have been excluded from countless job opportunities, education,...

USA heads home after one win, two ties, and one loss.

USA performs surprisingly well at World Cup

Nama Koganti, Isaac Ruiz, and Isabelle Leofanti
December 8, 2022

As we take a look back at the USA Men's National Soccer team that to qualified for their first World Cup since 2014, their performance throughout their time was great for such a new and young team. In...

As a result of increased student absences, emptier classrooms have become more common.

Student absence rates are on the rise

Isabelle Leofanti and Lindsey Hall
December 7, 2022

As the end of semester one approaches, a surge in the number of student absences has been reported. After returning from COVID-19-affected school years, some students are concerned about the recent trends. According...

The number of fights have decreased this school year.

Fights this school year have significantly decreased

Fewer Metea students have been getting in fights this year, according to Principal Darrell Echols. After a return to a more “normal” school semester, Echols connects the decrease in fights to the new...

Girls swim and dive compete for a chance at State this past weekend at sectionals.

The girls’ swim and dive compete at sectionals for the road to state

Isabelle Leofanti, Headlines reporter
November 10, 2022

Selected girls from the Metea girls’ swim and dive team competed at sectionals this past Saturday for a chance at state this past weekend. During the meet, hosted at Metea, the team showcased their hard...

A character haunts Six Flags during Fright Fest.

[Photo] Halloween recap: the likes and dislikes of haunted houses

November 2, 2022

A character haunts Six Flags during Fright Fest.

A character haunts Six Flags during Fright Fest.

Halloween recap: the likes and dislikes of haunted houses

Isabelle Leofanti and Sarah Holzman
November 2, 2022

As the Halloween season comes to a halt, there is always a discussion about popular seasonal activities, one being haunted houses. As haunted houses tend to attract people seeking a thrilling experience,...

The Citizens of Metea held a candidate forum in the LMC on Wednesday, Oct. 5.

Citizens of Metea club hosts candidate forum

Chloe Stables and Isabelle Leofanti
October 13, 2022

This past week, students from the Citizens of Metea Valley, a non-partisan political action club encouraged Waubonsie and Metea students to attend the candidate fair on Wednesday, Oct. 5 at Metea. The...

District issues safety alert regarding man attending district athletic events

District issues safety alert regarding man attending district athletic events

Madison Moon and Isabelle Leofanti
October 7, 2022

District 204 administrators alerted parents on Wednesday about students giving their telephone numbers to a man who has been attending district athletic events.  Registration and Residency Administrative...

Developments Have Been Made in the Fight Against COVID-19

Developments Have Been Made in the Fight Against COVID-19

Lindsey Hall and Isabelle Leofanti
October 7, 2022

In a 60-minute interview on Sep. 18, President Joe Biden made an unanticipated announcement on the status of COVID-19, declaring the pandemic over. Although the President acknowledged the continual presence...

The cast of Criminal Minds will return for the new season.

Criminal Minds Announces Their New Season

Isabelle Leofanti
October 2, 2022

Calling all Criminal Minds junkies! Despite the two-year pause from a fan favorite crime drama series, according to TV Guide, On Sept.  21 Paramount+ will be rebooting the film. The premiere of the first...

District 204 Covid Cases are on the Rise

District 204 Covid Cases are on the Rise

Lindsey Hall, Isabelle Leofanti, and Madison Moon
September 8, 2022

District 204 reported a sharp rise in positive COVID-19 cases throughout the week of 8/30-9/6. In the week alone, 285 cases were confirmed across all district schools, bringing the total to 449 positive...

ALICE training has a course for parents to understand it's principles.

ALICE Training Is Now Available to Parents

Madison Moon, Lindsey Hall, and Isabelle Leofanti
September 2, 2022

District 204 announced an online ALICE training course tailored to parents and guardians to achieve an understanding of the ALICE principles. The course is led by Navigate 360, which trains schools and...

Monkeypox on the rise in Illinois

Monkeypox on the rise in Illinois

The world has yet another public health emergency. Monkeypox is a new virus that is thought to have originated in Central and West African countries. The source of the disease remains unknown, however,...

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Isabelle Leofanti