Your World. Your Stories. Everyday.

METEA MEDIA

Your World. Your Stories. Everyday.

METEA MEDIA

Your World. Your Stories. Everyday.

METEA MEDIA

Ollie Shuminas

Ollie Shuminas

Ollie Shuminas is a junior and this is their second year on staff and they are photography and diversity editor. Outside of writing and taking photos they enjoy doing theater and reading.

All content by Ollie Shuminas
The course selection process causes students to stress about their future classes

[Photo] Guidance counselors offer advice to students who stress about course selection

January 24, 2023

The course selection process causes students to stress about their future classes

‘Gender Queer’ is helping people everywhere understand what it is like to be on the transgender/non-binary spectrum.

Maia Kobabe does an amazing job illustrating and expressing the journey of eir identity

Ollie Shuminas, Diversity Editor
January 13, 2023

One of my biggest hobbies is reading. I have read almost every book in the school library, but I recently found a graphic novel listed as an award-winning book on a card, but I was unable to get: ‘Gender...

Black and Gold podcast: Episode 1

Black and Gold podcast: Episode 1

In this episode, Ven, Tanay, Ayaana, and Ollie discuss streaming service price hikes, the Mario movie's second trailer, and hot chocolate in December.  

Starting Christmas celebrations too early takes away from the true magic of the holiday season.

[Photo] Christmas season does not have to start in November

November 30, 2022

Starting Christmas celebrations too early takes away from the true magic of the holiday season.

The search for a replacement principal has taken place as Dr. Echols plans to retire.

[Photo] The search for a new principal begins amid Echols’ last year

November 13, 2022

The search for a replacement principal has taken place as Dr. Echols plans to retire.

[Video] Top Five Halloween Movies: Episode Five

Ollie Shuminas and Sarah Holzman
October 31, 2022

For the fifth and final episode of our five-part series discussing the best Halloween movies, we debriefed and shared our personal favorite movies to watch during this spooky season.

[Video] Top Five Halloween Movies: Episode Four

Ollie Shuminas and Sarah Holzman
October 28, 2022

For the fourth episode of our five-part series discussing the best five Halloween movies, we chatted with special education teacher Matthew Wolski about his favorite movie to watch during this...

[Video] Top Five Halloween Movies: Episode Three

Ollie Shuminas and Sarah Holzman
October 27, 2022

For the third episode of our five-part series discussing the best five Halloween movies, we chatted with junior Brooklyn Ventrella about her favorite movie to watch during this spooky season.

[Video] Top Five Halloween Movies: Episode Two

Ollie Shuminas and Sarah Holzman
October 26, 2022

For the second episode of our five-part series discussing the best five Halloween movies, we chatted with junior Amisha Jain about her favorite movie to watch during this spooky season.

Top Five Halloween Movies: Episode One

Ollie Shuminas and Sarah Holzman
October 25, 2022

For the first episode of our five-part series discussing the best five Halloween movies, we chatted with TV Production teacher Nicholas Grijalva about his favorite movie to watch during this spooky season.

CPR training is a required unit for freshman P.E. classes, yet last school years freshmen and sophomores have not received their certifications from the American Heart Association.

[Photo] Sophomores and juniors who went through CPR training last year have yet to receive their certifications

October 11, 2022

CPR training is a required unit for freshman P.E. classes, yet last school year's freshmen and sophomores have not received their certifications from the American Heart Association.

This Week’s Metea Minute

Ollie Shuminas and Kayla Clark
September 27, 2022

Hello, Mustangs! I’m Ollie Shuminas And I’m Kayla Clark and here is your Metea Minute for the week of Monday, September 26th Do you want to learn to “de-stress your mess”? Join Metea's social...

This Week’s Metea Minute

Ollie Shuminas
September 7, 2022

Hello, Mustangs! I’m Ollie Shuminas. Here is your Metea Minute for the week of Monday, September 5. Rho Kappa - National History Honors Society is meeting on the 8th in D212! Are you interested...

The Highland Park community remembers the victims from July 4 through a memorial service.

Opinions: Gun control laws in the United States have to change

Ollie Shuminas, Diversity Editor
August 30, 2022

People who attended the Fourth of July parade in Highland Park, Illinois, fled the scene in a rush after hearing numerous gunshots. Parents grabbed their children and others helped people flee to safety....

This Week’s Metea Minute

Ollie Shuminas and Kayla Clark
August 29, 2022

Hello, Mustangs! I’m Ollie Shuminas And I’m Kayla Clark. Here is your Metea Minute for the week of Monday, August 29th. Students interested in auditioning for the fall play auditions are today...

A student walks to the restroom holding a required pass.

[Photo] New bathroom policies spark discussion among students

August 25, 2022

A student walks to the restroom holding a required pass.

Rachel loves to be active in the school community, but most of all, she enjoys performing with her peers.

Humans of Metea: Rachel Byrne

Ollie Shuminas, Spotlight Reporter
May 23, 2022

Senior Rachel Byrne is involved in many activities including Varsity Choir, Book Club, Speech, Mustang Comedy, Tri-M Honors Society, and Drama Club. Keep reading to learn more about her! What is your...

Senior Saish Pothina is involved in many activities, but one thing that he is most proud of is placing fourth in state for his humorous duet speech with his partner Lauren Verthein.

Humans Of Metea: Saish Pothina

Ollie Shuminas, Spotlight Reporter
May 11, 2022

Saish Pothina is a senior who is involved in chamber singers, off the record vocal jazz ensemble, Apollo, the speech team, ILMEA, Tri-M honors music society, and Metea’s theater program. Keep reading...

Ananya Gondesi closes out her junior year by being a stage manager for the spring musical A Chorus Line.

Ananya Gondesi closes the curtain on her junior year while stage managing

Ollie Shuminas, Spotlight Reporter
May 3, 2022

Ananya Gondesi is a junior at Metea Valley who has been very involved in this year's theater department. She did this as both a stage manager for the fall play “Clue: On Stage” and the spring musical...

Classics morals can be told through more relevant books

Ollie Shuminas, Spotlight Reporter
April 28, 2022

While classics may have been an excellent example in the past, they are not a good replica of the present. Today, the modern-day human is not venturing out west on horse and buggy or is going through the...

Metea theater students practice for A Chorus Line.

[Photo] ‘A Chorus Line’ got the role from its amazing performance

April 25, 2022

Metea theater students practice for A Chorus Line.

ASL student Autumn Zayas signs “Deaf History Month” to celebrate the closing of 2022 Deaf History Month

Deaf history is American history

Ollie Shuminas, Spotlight Reporter
April 14, 2022

“Deaf History Month to me recognizes all of the accomplishments of deaf individuals throughout history and It helps current deaf individuals, especially deaf students, recognize that the deaf can do...

Schedule for the Week of April 11

Schedule for the Week of April 11

Ollie Shuminas
April 11, 2022

Click the link to access PSAT and SAT information.

Members of the Speech team raise a glass to an amazing season.

An end of the season celebration: Speech team celebrates their accomplishments

Last night, the Speech Team celebrated their 2021-2022 season together at the Stonebridge Country Club. During the ceremony, members received awards, took photos, and socialized with one another over...

Roman Newhouse is very active in the Metea community and wants students to know that it is never too late to follow their dreams.

Humans of Metea: Roman Newhouse

Ollie Shuminas, Spotlight Reporter
March 22, 2022

Senior Roman Newhouse is involved in drama club, the musical, the play, Off The Record, Jazz ensemble, Jazz combo, and Apollo. Keep reading to learn more about his experiences here at Metea. What is...

Marsha P. Johnson wore many bright colors and fabrics in order to express herself as a transgeder woman and a drag queen.

Marsha P. Johnson: The activist

Ollie Shuminas, Spotlight Reporter
March 2, 2022

One activist, Harvey Milk, whose voice was heard and respected over many others had good intentions of sticking up for the rights of the gay community. Milk however was not able to express his opinions...

What does Black History Month serve as?

Ollie Shuminas and Sofia Jubraj
March 2, 2022

Black History Month serves as an opportunity to showcase trailblazers in America, limiting Black History Month to the ideas involving the civil rights movement and the fight for equality diminishes the...

Black History Month helps show students at Metea whom we have to thank for so many things in the world.

Black History Month serves as a reminder that Black History is not solely confined to the fight for racial equality

Black History Month is more than to educate others on Black pioneers in various fields. This month also had an important time of year to reflect on our nation’s complicated history surrounding race relations...

Senior Lauren Verthein recently got fourth place in the state for Humorous Duet Acting for Speech.

Humans Of Metea: Lauren Verthein

Ollie Shuminas, Spotlight Writer
March 1, 2022

Senior Lauren Verthein is involved in Student Council, Do More Metea Valley, Youth and Government, the Speech team, Madrigals Singers, the Principal Advisory Board, the Improv Comedy team, English Honor...

Nikhil Venkat shares his experiences from Youth and Government.

Humans of Metea: Nikhil Venkat

Ollie Shuminas, Spotlight Reporter
February 16, 2022

Senior Nikhil Venkat is involved in Speech, Tri-M, Apollo, and MV Connect. He is also the Youth Chief Justice in Youth and Government. Keep reading to learn more about his experiences here at Metea. What...

Metea Valley winter pep rally set spirits high during chilly times

Metea Valley winter pep rally set spirits high during chilly times

Autumn Zayas, Ollie Shuminas, and Aidan Renteria
February 11, 2022

Metea Valley hosted the winter pep assembly on Feb. 11. The pep assembly was divided into two: underclassmen and upperclassmen. The underclassmen attended first and hosted blind musical chairs. The upperclassmen...

Supporting queer authors and stories is very important in order to show support for the LGBTQ+ community.

Felix Ever After creates a great way for people to learn about the LGBTQ+ community in an engaging way.

Ollie Shuminas, Spotlight Reporter
February 4, 2022

Warning: minor spoilers ahead. I have now read “Felix Ever After” three times and it has become one of my all-time favorite books. This book has a mixture of love, heartbreak, and friendship. I...

One activity Peyton Owen is involved in is the Speech team. In particular, he is one of the four captains.

Humans of Metea: Peyton Owen

Ollie Shuminas, Spotlight Reporter
February 2, 2022

Senior Peyton Owen is involved in the theater program, Tri-M, MV Connect, band, and choir. He is also a captain of the Speech team. Keep reading to learn more about his experiences here at Metea. What...

Metea Minute: Week of Jan. 31

Hello, Mustangs! I’m Tanay Pant. And I’m Ollie Shuminas. Here is your Metea Minute for the week of January 31st. The French Club will meet on February 1st after school in H104. Mustang wild...

Junior Alyse Haddad and freshman Sarah Madden are acting in their dramatic play ‘Lockdown’.

Winter Scenes arrives back in person with three different performances

Ollie Shuminas, Spotlight Reporter
January 21, 2022

Winter Scenes is a place for students to direct, act, and do behind-the-scenes work. With both comedy and drama, these shows will be in the black box theater at Metea Valley from Jan. 27-29 at 7 p.m. While...

2021 had many events that impacted some of our student body.

The impact of 2021’s politics, music, and COVID-19 waves on students and teachers

Christina Guckel, Ollie Shuminas, and Tanay Pant
January 13, 2022

Betty White's death along with a new COVID-19 variant has been some of the many events throughout this past year. Students and teachers are impacted tremendously by this year and what it has brought us....

Jonathan is a part of many programs at Metea, but one of his responsibilities that stands out is being the co-president of the principal advisory board.

Humans of Metea: Jonathan Barker

Ollie Shuminas, Spotlight Reporter
December 15, 2021

Johnathan Barker is a senior at Metea Valley. He has been involved in the Speech Team, Student Government, and many others during his four years at Metea. While Barker reflects on his years, he chooses...

Metea Minute: Week of Dec. 13

Metea Minute: Week of Dec. 13

Ollie Shuminas and Grace Cronin
December 13, 2021

Hello Mustangs! I’m Ollie Shuminas And I am Grace Cronin Here is your Metea Minute for the week of December 13, 2021. Seniors, the deadline to buy your cap and gown is this Wednesday! For...

Senior Amara Saleem is involved in over five clubs here at Metea.

Humans of Metea: Amara Saleem

Ollie Shuminas
November 12, 2021

Amara Saleem is a senior involved in the Student Voice Committee, Mustang Comedy, Speech Team, Youth and Government, Drama Club, and is the president of the National English Honors Society. Saleem speaks...

Even though we are growing up, students’ love for candy does not seem to change.

Halloween traditions change as students grow older

Ollie Shuminas
October 21, 2021

Trick or Treat! When adults today were kids, the majority of them participated in trick or treating at least once. If one were to ask anyone, almost all of them would say that trick or treating is about...

Students adjust from wearing pajamas daily to creating a presentable outfit for the school day.

Students adjust to finding appropriate clothing after virtual learning

Ollie Shuminas
October 12, 2021

There is no doubt that everyone is different in their own ways. One way that people differ from one another is through fashion. Choosing what to wear even from a young age helps a person gain confidence...

The history of Columbus and Indigenous people

Ollie Shuminas, Spotlight Reporter
October 11, 2021

Columbus Day is a United States holiday marking the landing of Christopher Columbus in the Americas in 1492. Columbus was born in Genoa, Italy, and was a well-known explorer. He set sail after being ordered...

For the first time, Indian Prarie School District changed Columbus Day to Columbus Day/Indigenous Peoples Day. This change is not only limited to us but across the United States in which we question if we should celebrate Columbus Day or Indigenous Peoples Day.

The Columbus Day or Indigenous Peoples’ Day debate perpetuates discussion just like its history

There is more and more debate on the Columbus Day or Indigenous Peoples' Day debate. We explore the history and different perspectives to this prolonged discussion.
Mrs. White, Wadsworth, and Ms. Scarlet have a discussion. The two dead bodies lay behind them on the couch while Coronal Mustard stands behind them.

Metea theatre department makes a comeback after COVID-19

Ollie Shuminas
September 16, 2021

Lights, camera, action! COVID-19 has altered the way the world works. When the virus took over the world, it shut down Broadway for over a year. The theatrical community was affected by this, for this...

Students of Metea returning to a normal school year.

Incoming freshman and sophomores enter Metea for their first in-person school year

Christina Guckel and Ollie Shuminas
August 27, 2021

Many students did not return to the building for in-person learning due to the COVID-19 pandemic. This makes it the first year of in-person classes at Metea for sophomores and freshmen. This can be scary...

There can be extreme effects on LGBTQIA+ youth from family rejection such as homelessness, overdrinking, and self-harm

GUEST WRITER: How to prevent homelessness in the LGBTQIA+ community

Ollie Shuminas, Guest Writer
May 17, 2021

Family rejection based on sexual orientation or gender identity can have extreme effects on LGBTQIA+ youth. Although it can be hard for all kids to be kicked out of their homes, it can be much harder for...

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Ollie Shuminas