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Violet Rhoades

As the sun shines a bit brighter and the final days of school are approaching quickly, Charger Press has had another successful year, with 66K total site visits and 73K page views! Many of that success is thanks to the wonderful 14 seniors on our staff, so as a thanks to them, here are some of their favorite pieces, memories, and plans for their bright futures!

Editors in Chief

Sage Osesek- Editor in Chief

Why did you join Charger Press, and what year did you join?

When I was a junior, I joined Charger Press to improve my writing skills. I wanted to join a club that involved writing, so Charger Press was perfect!

How many articles have you written, and which of those is your favorite?

I've written 25 articles, and I liked "Calvin & Hobbes: A Timeless Masterpiece" the best because I have a slight obsession with Calvin and Hobbes.

What was your favorite article on Charger Press that you did not write yourself and why?

"Standards Based Rubrics: Are These the Standards Hamilton Needs" was my favorite. It was very well researched with many quotes and outside information, and I thought their argument was great!

What did you like best about writing for the school paper?

I like the freedom we get with our writing. We can really write about anything we are interested in, so it makes writing really enjoyable!

Plans for next year? College? Intended major or career goals?

I plan to go to UW-Madison for Molecular and Cell Biology!

Any last words or advice for future Charger Press writers?

Keep on writing! Writing is a skill that we will always need, so make sure to keep your skills sharp!

Carly Ungerer- Editor in Chief

Why did you join Charger Press, and what year did you join?

I joined Charger Press my junior year (2022-2023) after taking AP Lang. I initially was drawn to Charger Press because Mrs. Kowalske and the student writers were so passionate about it. Once I wrote my first article, I understood why. As a student, having the ability to share your thoughts and opinions while receiving positive feedback and growing is so impactful, and it has really driven my passion for writing in the past year.

How many articles have you written, and which of those is your favorite?

I have written sixteen articles and eight poems so far. I think my favorite article has to be "Why I'm Excited for Barbie" or "Carrie Soto is Back", since both really let me look at what it means to be a woman in modern society. My favorite poem is either "Empire" or "Bitter", both of which were incredibly cathartic to write and were super fun stylistically.

What was your favorite article on Charger Press that you did not write yourself and why?

My favorite article has to be “The Locker Room Issue” because of the direct impact it made. I remember just days following this article being published, they fixed a sink in the girls locker room which had been broken for the majority of my three years at Hamilton. I think the article started an important conversation and compelled people, especially administrators, to listen and to acknowledge an issue they were content to ignore. Articles like this one, which don’t let you look away from important issues, are crucial in creating change and making progress in our community.

What did you like best about writing for the school paper?

I loved how much it helped me grow. Charger Press really helped to push me as a person and a writer. I definitely learned to be more confident in myself and my voice, and I really think writing for Charger Press helped me develop my style.

Plans for next year? College? Intended major or career goals?

I’m planning on going to the University of Alabama in Tuscaloosa to study electrical engineering!

Any last words or advice for future Charger Press writers?

I would say have fun, be confident, and open yourself to learning. Being involved with Charger Press is a great opportunity and I would advise everyone to make the most of it.

Staff Writers

Aashi Iyengar

Why did you join Charger Press, and what year did you join?

I joined CP as a sophomore because Kowalske bullied me into it. I'm so glad she did though, or I wouldn't have found this amazing community!

How many articles have you written, and which of those is your favorite?

I have written around 15 articles. I have two favorites! The first is "Safety First: The Validity of Fire Drills vs. ALICE Drills" because this was my first solo article. The other is "The Extra Scoop on Extra Credit" because I did a lot of research for this op-ed and I really enjoyed writing about this change at our school.

What was your favorite article on Charger Press that you did not write yourself and why?

"District Communication: Out of Touch with Students, Families, and Staff" because of how it pushes boundaries and challenges the status quo.

What did you like best about writing for the school paper?

I loved the diverse topics I could write about. I went from writing op-eds about Hamilton to highlighting our school's college bound athletes, and I truly appreciated that range that CP allowed.

Plans for next year? College? Intended major or career goals?

I will be double majoring in Neuroscience and Biostatistics at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. My career goal is to become a neurologist!

Any last words or advice for future Charger Press writers?

Keep writing about everything that interests and fascinates you! That'll encourage you to continue writing :)

Bella Gruber

Why did you join Charger Press, and what year did you join?

I joined the first semester of my junior year, partially because of pressure from Kowalske in AP Lang but also because I’ve always enjoyed writing for fun!

How many articles have you written, and which of those is your favorite?

I believe I've written nine articles, and another which I was featured as athlete of the month in. I think my favorites were the two on book bans both locally and across the US. They’re both so relevant and were really interesting to research.

What was your favorite article on Charger Press that you did not write yourself and why?

My favorite has to be "A Farewell from Barry Holloway" that he wrote before leaving last year. It was so powerful and well-written!

What did you like best about writing for the school paper?

Getting to see the articles come together after sometimes weeks of research and collaborating with others is probably my favorite part of writing for CP!

Plans for next year? College? Intended major or career goals?

I plan on attending Marquette University next year to study psychology with the intent of becoming a sports psychologist one day.

Any last words or advice for future Charger Press writers?

I would say to write about what you find meaningful to you, and something that you will enjoy creating and presenting to readers. Because CP isn't just some assigned writing piece that's being graded, it really allows for creativity to shine which I feel is what is most important for writers to show. My advice to anyone thinking of joining would be to just do it! Everyone is very welcoming of all ideas and perspectives that members have to offer.

Kendall Syslack

Why did you join Charger Press, and what year did you join?

I joined Charger Press while in Mrs. Kowalske's AP Lang class during my junior year. While she sort of pressured me into joining, I wanted to shed more light on the theater & choir programs at Hamilton, which became the main topics for my articles.

How many articles have you written, and which of those is your favorite?

I have written eight articles, my favorite being “Hamilton Drama's one act, Fire Exit".

What was your favorite article on Charger Press that you did not write yourself and why?

My favorite article that I did not write was "The Locker Room Issue" by Bronwyn Rhoades last year. That article was so well-written, and brought so much light to issues regarding sexism at Hamilton, an issue not brought up enough.

What did you like best about writing for the school paper

I loved writing for Charger Press, as I tried to bring recognition to the underappreciated arts programs at Hamilton.

Plans for next year? College? Intended major or career goals?

Next year, I am attending Marquette University to major in elementary education and musical theater.

Any last words or advice for future Charger Press writers?

My advice is to not be scared to write about what interests you! I was embarrassed about my love for the arts for too long, but writing for Charger Press helped me get over that embarrassment and fully accept what I'm passionate about.

Emma Vlaski

Why did you join Charger Press, and what year did you join?

I learned about Charger Press last year in Mrs. Kowalske's AP Lang class, and after posting my first article as an optional assignment, I found that I loved having a platform to share my writing.

How many articles have you written, and which of those is your favorite?

I currently have six articles posted and two more on the way, but I have to say that my favorite is "You Need to Watch Bluey". Despite being a children's show, it's a feel-good show that anyone of any age can enjoy, and I think that people should experience media that lets them unwind in a world filled with stress.

What was your favorite article on Charger Press that you did not write yourself and why?

I don't have a favorite article, but rather a type of article. I've always loved reading the teacher features because it's fun to learn more about the people you see and interact with every day.

What did you like best about writing for the school paper?

Mrs. Kowalske always let us have control of our writing and creativity, which made me love Charger Press because a lot of your day as a student is just doing what someone else wants you to do. Being able to write a fun article on something I love or writing lengthy, opinionated articles was something I wouldn't have been able to do without a teacher like Mrs. Kowalske who fully supports her students.

Plans for next year? College? Intended major or career goals?

I'm attending UW-La Crosse in the fall and plan to major in Exercise Science on the Pre-PT track and minor in Nutrition.

Any last words or advice for future Charger Press writers?

My advice for anyone reading this is something my Dad always told me: "Everything works out in the end."

Nevaeh Hughes

Why did you join Charger Press, and what year did you join?

I joined the Charger Press my sophomore year due to Mrs.Kowalske being my advisement teacher. She would advocate and hype up the club enough that I genuinely became interested. One day I asked if there were any articles I could write that weren’t very heavy or hard-hitting. She in turn told me to write about anything I was involved in that brought me joy, and that is how I wrote the cheer article as my first piece.

How many articles have you written, and which of those is your favorite?

I have written a total of five articles with my favorite being "Personal Finance: How to Be Self-Sufficient". I was a teacher’s assistant for personal finance and truly loved being in that class, and I believe it is very relevant and useful for everyone.

What was your favorite article on Charger Press that you did not write yourself and why?

My favorite article on the Charger Press that I didn’t write is "Racism at Hamilton: The Voices of our Halls". This article sparked a lot of positive and informational conversations with my classmates which felt like a step in the right direction.

What did you like best about writing for the school paper?

Writing for the Charger Press has given me the opportunity to spread positivity and awareness of lesser recognized sports and activities within Hamilton. We cover many important and heavier topics so I like to write the feel good, celebratory ones.

Plans for next year? College? Intended major or career goals?

This fall, I will be attending Arizona State University and majoring in Forensic Science. I have also committed to their stunt team for the 2024-25 season and I couldn’t be more excited!

Any last words or advice for future Charger Press writers?

My advice is to just write! No one can write something that isn’t worth using and the only way to get better is to start somewhere.

Danica Joyner

Why did you join Charger Press, and what year did you join?

I joined Charger Press my junior year. I decided to join because I had Mrs. Kowalske for AP Lang, I had friends in the club, and I enjoy writing.

How many articles have you written, and which of those is your favorite?

I’ve written four articles, and have more in the making. Of the four articles already published, I am most proud of my opinion article on transgender athletes in sports, as well as my article about voting that helps 18 and soon-to-be 18 year olds navigate how to vote.

What was your favorite article on Charger Press that you did not write yourself and why?

My favorite article is the "The Locker Room Issue" by Bronwyn Rhoades because it addressed a major issue at Hamilton High School regarding the vast differences between the boys and girls locker rooms. This article also inspired another follow up article to be written.

What did you like best about writing for the school paper?

I enjoyed writing about topics that were interesting to me and/or big in the media, so I was able to research them and educate myself so I could develop my own opinions. Charger Press also helped me connect with more people in the Hamilton community, and I was able to collaborate with other writers, get and give ideas, and create conversations around our articles.

Plans for next year? College? Intended major or career goals?

I will be attending Purdue with a major in Biomedical Engineering and a minor in Neuroscience.

Any last words or advice for future Charger Press writers?

Write about topics that interest you. You won’t enjoy the writing process or be proud of your work if you force yourself to write articles that you’re not passionate about or interested in.

Maya Desai

Why did you join Charger Press, and what year did you join?

I joined Charger Press last year while being in AP Language and Composition. Mrs. Kowalske made me interested in writing for the school paper and helped me realize how beneficial it is to inform your classmates about things happening in our school. I’ve been honored to be able to write for this club and share some of my experiences at Hamilton.

How many articles have you written, and which of those is your favorite?

I have written four articles with a new one being posted in a few days. I honestly don’t have a favorite article I've written. They were all very fun to write and unique. My first article I wrote was "Hamilton DECA Adopts a Classroom" which was a heartwarming story and memories that I will hold forever. Most of my articles have involved my experiences with community service. Two of the articles I wrote are about the Sussex Leo and Lions Club to increase awareness and show people what the club is all about. I loved writing the article specifically about our advisor because he doesn’t give himself enough credit but absolutely deserves it. I was thrilled to be the one to give him the credit he deserves and a shout out in the Charger Press. Lastly, my newest article is very special to me. My rugby team just won Nationals which is a very big accomplishment and I’m extremely proud of each and every player. I loved writing many articles highlighting achievements within Hamilton.

What was your favorite article on Charger Press that you did not write yourself and why?

I don't specifically have a favorite Charger Press article but I will say I love the articles that highlight the successes of Hamilton students. I think that is a really important thing for high school students to be recognized for their hard work and accomplishments. In addition, I love the articles informing students about volunteer opportunities. I believe everyone should participate in community service at some point in your life because it truly is an amazing opportunity to give back to those around you. It takes action to make a difference in this world around us. Volunteering has allowed me to actually take those actions and not just talk about doing them. I definitely think that the Charger Press has many talented writers that are greatly impacting the Hamilton environment in a positive way.

What did you like best about writing for the school paper?

I enjoyed having the opportunity to inform and engage my peers with relevant news and stories. It is nice being able to write about things you are passionate about and topics your classmates might not know about. I liked being able to educate others on accomplishments within the school clubs and sports. The Charger Press allows many students to express their thoughts and ideas creatively.

Plans for next year? College? Intended major or career goals?

I will be attending Florida Atlantic University for International Business. I will be in the Honors program which will help me develop more leadership and communication skills along. There are lots of opportunities for me to make connections and get real world experience in my career field. Additionally, I hope to study abroad during my time at Florida Atlantic University.

Any last words or advice for future Charger Press writers?

Thank you Charger Press for letting me share my voice and experiences! I encourage many young writers to join Charger Press, it really is a great way to share your thoughts and ideas to a wide range of individuals. It is important for your classmates and peers to know what is going on at school and Charger Press does a great job relaying this information to many students. Don’t be afraid to speak freely and write articles that you are passionate about. Join Charger Press!

Delphine Ackaouy

Why did you join Charger Press, and what year did you join?

I joined the Charger Press my junior year, I chose to join because I was in AP Lang and it sounded fun.

How many articles have you written, and which of those is your favorite?

I have written three articles for the Charger Press. My favorite is the first one I wrote introducing Key Club, since I am the Vice President of this club it was nice to share it with everyone.

What was your favorite article on Charger Press that you did not write yourself and why?

My favorite article on Charger Press that I did not write was “The Locker Room Issue" because it was so interesting and started a lot of conversations.

What did you like best about writing for the school paper?

I liked writing for the school paper because it allowed me to share important things with my peers.

Plans for next year? College? Intended major or career goals?

Next year I will be attending the University of Wisconsin-Madison where I will be majoring in legal studies and political science on a pre-law track.

Any last words or advice for future Charger Press writers?

My advice is to write articles about something you are passionate about because it makes it so much more enjoyable.

Owen Peterson

Why did you join Charger Press, and what year did you join?

I joined Charger Press my junior year to find a way to write outside of an academic environment. I have strong opinions on many topics and writing opinion pieces allowed me to both educate myself and clarify my own beliefs.

How many articles have you written, and which of those is your favorite?

I have written three articles (hopefully four by the end of the year lol), as well as founded @chargerinsider. My favorite was probably "158:1: A Lack of Diverse Educators". I learned so much about the tangible, statistically proven importance of a diverse school staff in student outcomes. I really do think anyone in or going into public education should read it.

What was your favorite article on Charger Press that you did not write yourself and why?

"A Farewell from Barry Holloway” is far and away my favorite article in the Charger Press. After reading it, I re-read and re-read it and was constantly thinking about its message for months after. I even wrote my college essay on its impact on me. I would be doing a disservice to Holloway by trying to describe it, so just click and read for yourself.

What did you like best about writing for the school paper?

The bribes I get to not publish Kowalske's secrets.

Plans for next year? College? Intended major or career goals?

I'm headed to Mizzou to major in BioMed Engineering by way of Pre-Med. My career goals include the overprescription of a multitude of opiates and amphetamines.

Any last words or advice for future Charger Press writers?

Write gud.

Rosa Martinez

Why did you join Charger Press, and what year did you join?

My junior year I joined Charger Press because I was taking AP Language and Mrs. Kowalke encouraged me to join. I was also encouraged to join because my best friend Grace Strelow, who was the Editor-in-Chief for Charger Press at the time, told me to join.

How many articles have you written, and which of those is your favorite?

I have written three articles and my favorite is "The Locker Room: Still an Issue" because it talks about an important topic that still needs more attention.

What was your favorite article on Charger Press that you did not write yourself and why?

My favorite article that I did not write is "The Locker Room Issue" by Bronwyn Rhoades because it has made a big impact on raising awareness about the disparity between the boys’ and girls’ locker rooms.

What did you like best about writing for the school paper?

My favorite thing about writing for the school paper is being able to raise awareness about issues that students may not be aware of. The freedom we have to be able to write about anything we want allowed me to choose topics that are important to me.

Plans for next year? College? Intended major or career goals?

I am headed to UW-Madison to study Biology with a pre-medicine track, hopefully with a Spanish minor. I am working towards going to medicine school to become a cardiologist.

Any last words or advice for future Charger Press writers?

My advice is don’t be afraid to join. Charger Press is a great thing to be a part of because you are able to work around your own schedule.

Maggie Kidd

Why did you join Charger Press, and what year did you join?

I joined Charger Press because I enjoyed AP Lang, and also I wanted "extra learning opportunities." I joined my junior year.

How many articles have you written, and which of those is your favorite?

I have written three articles, and I really enjoyed my article about the Hamilton alumni Mark Brunner.

What was your favorite article on Charger Press that you did not write yourself and why?

I loved Bronwyn's article about the locker room disparity. It sparked a lot of needed conversation in the school and change that needed to happen, and work that still needs to be done.

What did you like best about writing for the school paper?

I liked having creative freedom, and also supporting my fellow writers in the stories they were writing.

Plans for next year? College? Intended major or career goals?

I will be attending Tufts University to study Engineering with a minor in English.

Any last words or advice for future Charger Press writers?

I would advise you to write what you are passionate about. Even if you think it will spark controversy, it is important to write about issues in the school and change that needs to happen.

Tyler Canham

Why did you join Charger Press, and what year did you join?

I joined my junior year to write about the grading system and its flaws and also bring light to some changes the district had made that weren't widely known about.

How many articles have you written, and which of those is your favorite?

I have written two articles and my first one, “The Weight of a Flawed System", is my favorite.

What was your favorite article on Charger Press that you did not write yourself and why?

"Make Some Noise for Sonic Boom: Charger Robotics’ T-Shirt Cannon", because it featured a project that I had been working on helping the mission of spreading STEM awareness.

What did you like best about writing for the school paper?

My favorite part about writing for the paper is the responses from the community and their support.

Plans for next year? College? Intended major or career goals?

I am going to Georgia Tech for Aerospace Engineering and hopefully will work on space or aircrafts after graduation.

Any last words or advice for future Charger Press writers?

Find something that you are passionate writing about because it will make your piece so much more interesting and personal.