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Your World. Your Stories. Everyday.

METEA MEDIA

Your World. Your Stories. Everyday.

METEA MEDIA

Ollie Shuminas

Ollie Shuminas

Ollie Shuminas is a Senior who has been on staff for three years. He is currently the Editor-in-chief of the Stampede. Outside of journalism, you may find him a part of Metea’s many theatrical activities, the speech team, or reading a plethora of books.

All content by Ollie Shuminas
Nex Benedict

The silent struggles of transgender students

Ollie Shuminas, Print Editor-In-Chief
May 2, 2024
Sixteen-year-old Nex Benedict was a transgender student at Owasso High School in Owasso, Oklahoma. They used masculine (he/him) and gender-neutral...
Members of the LGBTQ+ community and their allies participate in Day of (No) Silence at Metea.

[Photo] Editorial: Make some noise to help LGBTQ+ students be heard

Members of the LGBTQ+ community and their allies participate in Day of (No) Silence at Metea.

Junior Madison Monroe plays the National Anthem on the electric guitar.

Black History Month assembly brings joy and education

Ollie Shuminas and Ell Macias
February 21, 2024

Student expresses confidence during the fashion show.

Seniors struggle during the tug of war against the sophomores leading to a loss.

[Photo] The Homecoming assembly inspires spirit among students

The Stampede Photographers
October 2, 2023

Metea Color Gard shows their school spirit by swaying their flags majestically displaying a mustang.

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

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

Chloe Stables, Spotlight Reporter
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

Sarah Holzman, Perspectives Editor
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

Chloe Stables, Spotlight Reporter
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 year's 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

Sarah Holzman, Perspectives Editor
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

Tanay Pant, Spotlight Editor
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

Christina Guckel, Spotlight Editor
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...

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Ollie Shuminas