Photos submitted by seniors.

Violet Rhoades

With the temperatures rising and the grass turning green once more, the 2024-2025 school year is coming to a very quick close. With the year ending, Charger Press is sending off fifteen amazing seniors to their next steps in life. Many of our newspaper success is thanks to these seniors, so as a thanks to them, here are some of their favorite pieces, memories, and plans for their bright futures!

Sienna Kenney- Editor In Chief

1.) Why did you join Charger Press, and what year did you join?

I joined Charger Press my freshman year because Mrs. Kowalske was my Comm. Arts 9 teacher and I absolutely adored her, so when she promoted the club to the class I was eager to join up. I also had realized that year that I was actually quite talented at writing, as noticed by myself and Kowalske, as I breezed through her class and enjoyed every assignment regardless of rigor.

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

I have written ten articles for Charger Press over my high school career, which doesn’t seem like a lot but I had many time consuming pieces, such as my Unsung Heroes series that required many interviews and quotes. I have also been the active Co-Editor-in-Chief of Charger Press this year, meaning I have probably posted seven times the amount of articles I wrote myself in the last school year. My favorite article of mine was the piece I wrote to celebrate Mrs. Becker, the Administrative Assistant of Activities & Athletics for Hamilton High School, “Unsung Heroes: Mrs. Becker”. It felt extremely rewarding when I found out she had printed the article, hung it in her office, and even posted it online for her friends and family to see. Writing to recognize these underappreciated individuals at Hamilton has been a pleasure, and it puts a smile on my face to be able to put one on theirs.

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

I would not be able to narrow down my favorite articles to just one, but I have extremely enjoyed reading the series by Emersen Cwiklinski, Banned Book of the Month, such as, “Banned Book of the Month: The Bluest Eye.” In my opinion, you cannot love freedom and simultaneously ban books, one of the most pure expressions of free speech and human excellence. Books and text are how we analyze the lives of those before us and how we write history to be studied by those after us. I find it incredible that she is bringing awareness to the books being taken off shelves for all the wrong reasons, and it seems I am not the only one. Her series has been one of our most read in the history of Charger Press and it makes me proud to know that it is one spreading great awareness on a topic I feel strongly about.

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

What I liked best about writing for the school paper was the fact that my words could reach a large audience, and I am someone who loves to talk. For me, it was an expansion of communication that was unfamiliar to me but taught me many things about the community, the club members, and even myself. Mrs. Kowalske is additionally the most amazing club advisor and teacher I have ever met. She has been nothing but supportive and nurturing to me in my high school career, and I can guarantee that I would not be the same person today without her.

5.) Plans for next year? College? Intended major or career goals?

I will be attending the University of Wisconsin-Madison in the fall to major in Political Science with a certificate in French Language Studies. My goal with this career is to be an advocate for political change growth by either advising an incumbent, or running for office myself. Anything I can do to bring positive change and a female viewpoint to the politics of our future is my goal that I will work tirelessly to achieve.

6.) Any last words or advice for future Charger Press writers?

For Charger Press writers in the future, I advise you to stand your ground and be true to yourself. Journalism can often bring negative attention or criticism to your work, but it is rarely ever personal. If you stay true to yourself and confident in your work, you have zero chance for failure, only growth.

Aadhitya Balaji- Editor In Chief

1.) Why did you join Charger Press, and what year did you join?

I joined Charger Press in 2023. I joined to write for fun and about the topics I am most passionate about.

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

I have written 6 articles and my favorite article is the one I wrote about whether or not it is possible to separate the art from the artist called, “Distinguishing the Art from the Artist: Is it possible?”

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

My favorite article that I didn't write myself was about whether or not the subject of math is red or blue, "The Unsolvable Equation: Red or Blue?”

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

I liked the freedom I had to write about whatever I wanted and the support I got from Mrs. Kowalske to pursue the topics that I was most passionate about.

5.) Plans for next year? College? Intended major or career goals?

I will be studying Neurobiology and Computer Science in the fall at UW-Madison

6.) Any last words or advice for future Charger Press writers?

If you are on the fence about joining, just join. You won't regret it.

Nolan Doherty- Social Media Manager

1.) Why did you join Charger Press, and what year did you join?

I joined Charger Press my junior year because I had many friends already within the club and I was interested in writing about topics I was passionate about.

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

I have written two articles while also managing the Charger Insider and Charger Press social media accounts. My favorite article that I've written is "District Communication: Out of Touch with Students, Families, and Staff."

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

My favorite article that was not written by myself is "The Unsolvable Equation: Red or Blue?" by Riley Veenendaal and Gabby Weisgerber because of its fun nature and unique topic.

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

My favorite part about writing for the school paper was that it taught me the importance of truth in writing, especially in a world where every news source is critiqued for its accuracy and validity.

5.) Plans for next year? College? Intended major or career goals?

Next year I will be majoring in microbiology at the University of Wisconsin-Madison.

6.) Any last words or advice for future Charger Press writers?

Pursue the truth, especially if it makes you uncomfortable.

Raj Ramanathan- Social Media Manager

1.) Why did you join Charger Press, and what year did you join?

I joined Charger Press because of my friends. I joined my sophomore year.

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

My favorite interview was when I interviewed Aydin Eklund after getting the game sealing interception. I have written 17 articles.

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

My favorite article was the one written by Tyler Canham about the lack of weight for college classes, “The Weight of a Flawed System.”

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

I enjoyed spending time with my friends at events. On top of spending time with my friends, we were able to collaborate and find articles and interviews to create.

5.) Plans for next year? College? Intended major or career goals?

I am planning on going to IU, Kelley School of Business. I am planning on studying Finance with an intended career of investment banking.

6.) Any last words or advice for future Charger Press writers?

Life is a game of variables and constants; hard work is a constant and the rest shouldn't matter.

Izzy Pack- Staff Writer

1.) Why did you join Charger Press, and what year did you join?

I joined the Charger Press my junior year because Kowalske wanted me to write an article on cheer. I really enjoyed the process and wanted to continue to do it.

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

I have written 19 articles. My favorite is probably “Hamilton Cheer Bids Farewell to Seniors." I enjoyed this one because I got to interview my teammates and talk to them more about cheer.

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

My favorite article that I did not write myself is “The Locker Room Issue,” written by Bronwyn Rhoades my sophomore year. I thought that this piece was very pivotal for the differences between the men’s and women’s locker rooms, and helped to instigate change throughout the school.

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

I got to write the college commit articles for Charger Press, and being able to talk to my peers about their sports and efforts has been really interesting. I also really enjoyed that I get the opportunity to talk to classmates I don't usually get to talk to.

5.) Plans for next year? College? Intended major or career goals?

Next year I am attending Iowa State University, with the intention of majoring in Psychology.

6.) Any last words or advice for future Charger Press writers?

JOIN CHARGER PRESS.

Riley Veenendaal- Staff Writer

1.) Why did you join Charger Press, and what year did you join?

I joined Charger Press last year (2024). I mostly joined because I thought that it would make Kowalske like me and therefore she would help me out on my essays in class. I also joined because my best friend Gabby and I were going to write fun articles that would make people laugh.

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

I've written 14 articles so far. My favorite is a tie between “The Unsolvable Equation: Red or Blue?” and “Mustache Madness.”

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

My favorite article that I didn't write is “The Locker Room Issue” by Bronwyn Rhoades. In my opinion Bronwyn did an amazing job voicing her opinion and pointing out a huge problem at Hamilton. She definitely opened the door for other people to try and create change throughout Hamilton and in the community.

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

My favorite part about writing for the Charger Press is definitely all the people I met and worked with throughout it. In writing for the Charger Press I made friendships with people I probably wouldn't have talked to without being in the club.

5.) Plans for next year? College? Intended major or career goals?

Next year I will be attending UW-Lacrosse. I will be playing on the soccer team there. I am currently planning on studying Pre-Law.

6.) Any last words or advice for future Charger Press writers?

My advice for writers next year would be to go out of your comfort zone and take risks with your writing. This can be writing about the most ridiculous stories that could be embarrassing, or talking to people whom you've never met before.

Achintya Bhan- Staff Writer

1.) Why did you join Charger Press, and what year did you join?

I joined Charger Press because Kowalske "persuaded" me into it. I joined senior year, but I don't regret it at all.

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

I have written 12 articles and my favorite article was my first article I wrote, “Ready for More Football? Check Out Our Week 3 NFL Predictions.”

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

My favorite article was Kshitij's “What’s Going on With Kylian Mbappé.” It was my favorite as it was a super fun and engaging read and I also loved the way he described it and the events.

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

I liked best that I met a lot of really cool people and I also got to write about my passions such as football and work with friends on articles.

5.) Plans for next year? College? Intended major or career goals?

My plan for next year is studying finance at Indiana University-Bloomington. The end career goal is investment banking and hopefully making lots of money, fingers crossed. My career goal is once I make the money to retire early and buy the fam a bunch of stuff they want, like a wish list.

6.) Any last words or advice for future Charger Press writers?

Future advice for Charger Press writers is to write on topics that you find a passion for. It is a lot easier to write on topics that you are really into and you can also make a lot of new connections.

Kennedy Ellis- Staff Writer

1.) Why did you join Charger Press, and what year did you join?

I joined Charger Press my freshman year to be able to write about topics I felt passionate about and find a way to practice my writing skills for the upcoming years of English classes I was planning on taking.

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

I have written 10 articles and my favorite one I have written was “Character Strong: The Wrong Choice for Hamilton.”

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

My favorite article that I did not write myself is “The Locker Room Issue,” by Bronwyn Rhoades. This is my favorite article because I saw a real want for change after the students and staff read the piece. It also got Amplify, the women's sports advocacy club involved which I was a part of at the time.

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

My favorite part of writing for the school paper was being able to have the creative freedom to write about things I genuinely felt passionate about.

5.) Plans for next year? College? Intended major or career goals?

Next year I will be attending the University of Tampa where I will be studying finance.

6.) Any last words or advice for future Charger Press writers?

My last words are to continue to advocate for the things you are passionate about because you never know what kind of difference your actions can make!

McKenzie Mamayek- Staff Writer

1.) Why did you join Charger Press, and what year did you join?

I joined Charger Press my junior year when I was in Mrs. Kowalske's AP Language and Composition class. I was unsure about joining at first, but Mrs. Kowalske kept urging us to join, so I finally gave in and became a writer for the paper with some of my friends.

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

I've written 6 articles for the Charger Press. I think my favorite article would have to be the Chargerettes season recap that I wrote for them last year, “Chargerettes Season Recap”! I thought it was a cool piece and gave the team some recognition they deserved!

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

My favorite article is “The Locker Room: Still an Issue” by Rosa Martinez. I read this article as soon as it came out because it was an issue that I definitely cared about and wanted to hear others opinions on. I think that it's pretty cool now that we at least got some renovation done and have vanities to get ready at. In my opinion, I think that her article had some impact on this decision.

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

What I like best about writing for the paper is that I get to interact with students and faculty that I may not get to interact with otherwise. The past two years I've written about the new staff at Hamilton, and I love writing these articles because it feels like I am one of the first to welcome them into our district!

5.) Plans for next year? College? Intended major or career goals?

Next year, I am attending St. Norbert College in Green Bay and intend to major in Pre-Law. In the future, I aspire to become either a corporate or estate lawyer with my own firm.

6.) Any last words or advice for future Charger Press writers?

My advice for future Charger Press writers would be to not be afraid to voice your opinion! If you feel strongly about something going on in our community, write about it!

Natalie Olson- Staff Writer

1.) Why did you join Charger Press, and what year did you join?

I joined Charger Press as a junior to advocate for DECA competition. I feel it is important to share the school's academic successes alongside its athletic ones. Mrs. Kowalske suggested I write a Charger Press article to help promote DECA and to have a place to share DECA success.

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

I have written six total articles so far for Charger Press, mainly focusing on competition recaps. I focus on showcasing all sides of the competition and explaining the process to those who might not be familiar with what we do. My favorite article is the most recent, “DECA State Recap” article. I love writing about DECA and sharing the club's successes with the readers.

3.) 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 debate about the color of math. The article is titled "The Unsolvable Equation: Red or Blue?" and I think it is such a fun way to engage readers. While Charger Press is an amazing space to discuss strong issues, the silly articles are often my favorite to reread.

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

My favorite thing about writing for the school paper was the freedom. Writers are allowed to choose their own subjects that they are passionate about and find support.

5.) Plans for next year? College? Intended major or career goals?

Next year, I will be attending the University of Iowa as a business major. I hope to pursue marketing and find a career as a director of marketing.

6.) Any last words or advice for future Charger Press writers?

My advice to future writers is not to stress about their writing. Charger Press is meant to share the voices of the students. Express yourself authentically and remember that every perspective adds value.

Ryley Findlay- Staff Writer

1.) Why did you join Charger Press, and what year did you join?

I joined Charger Press in the first semester of my senior year (2024).

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

To date, I have authored four articles, two of which are part of a series I developed titled “Timeless Voices.” This ongoing project features interviews with senior members of the Sussex community, with the goal of amplifying the voices of individuals who are too often underrepresented in our society. I believe strongly in the value of preserving and sharing their stories, including one of Hamilton’s substitute teachers. The other two articles reflect my personal interests, exploring topics such as studying abroad, “Opportunities with Study Abroad”, and practical guidance on preparing for what to bring to college, “College Essentials: What to Pack to College.”

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

One of my favorite pieces on Charger Press I did not write myself is “Feminism Matters: A Look at Afghanistan” by Ella Janiszewski. I value this article not only because it advocates for women’s rights, but also because it explores the historical and cultural significance of gender equality in both the United States and a deeply restrictive society like Afghanistan. I believe it is critical to shed light on these issues—especially in regions where women’s voices are systematically silenced, so awareness can ultimately lead to change.

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

What I enjoy most about writing for the school newspaper is the creative freedom it provides—the opportunity to explore topics that interest me without worrying about deadlines. This flexibility allows me to write with intention and passion, giving voice to stories that matter both to me and to our community.

5.) Plans for next year? College? Intended major or career goals?

Next year, I intend to attend the University of South Carolina, where I will pursue a major in Criminal Justice and Criminology, complemented by a minor in Psychology. My long-term goal is to become either a detective or a crime scene investigator—roles that align with my passion for solving problems, uncovering truth, and contributing meaningfully to public safety and justice.

6.) Any last words or advice for future Charger Press writers?

My advice for future Charger Press writers is to embrace the freedom that comes with this newspaper. Write about what truly excites or moves you, because the best stories come from genuine passion. Also, don’t be discouraged by writer's block, as it is a natural part of the creative process. Inspiration doesn’t always come when you want it to, and it’s perfectly okay to take time to discover ideas that resonate deeply with you. Charger Press is an outlet for creativity and the boundaries are limitless.

Gabriela Weisgerber- Staff Writer

1.) Why did you join Charger Press, and what year did you join?

I joined Charger Press last year (2024) because I liked that it was a creative outlet where I could write fun/silly articles that could brighten people's days. I also really valued the work Charger Press was doing to try and create positive change throughout the school, and I wanted to be a part of that!

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

I have written three articles so far—more incoming :) —and I honestly cannot choose which one is my favorite. I highly recommend reading two of my funnier articles as they were very fun to write, “The Unsolvable Equation: Red or Blue?” and “Mustache Madness.”

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

I have a couple favorite articles from Charger Press. Two of them are the articles in the Locker Room Issue series, “The Locker Room” and “The Locker Room: Still an Issue” and I really liked reading these articles because I was inspired by the two girls who wrote these and their advocacy towards equality between female and male athletes here at Hamilton. Another article that I really liked was Owen Peterson's article from last year called “158 to 1: A Lack of Diverse Educators.” I really liked reading this article because it introduced to me a lot of new information that I didn't know about our school. I think this article also highlights one of the most important impacts of Charger Press, which is advocating for positive change in the school and educating the student body on what is happening around school.

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

I liked best being able to create silly articles that I hope people enjoyed reading and made people laugh. Even if one person said they liked an article I wrote, it always made me feel very good and accomplished!

5.) Plans for next year? College? Intended major or career goals?

Next year I plan on attending University of Wisconsin-Madison and majoring in biochemistry. As of now, I hope to have a career somewhere in the medical field working in pediatrics; however, I am unsure of what specific job I want to do yet.

6.) Any last words or advice for future Charger Press writers?

My advice for future Charger Press writers would be to write about topics that you enjoy and are passionate about, and to not tell Kowalske you will have an article done by a certain day when you know it's not getting done by that day!

Derek Zhang- Staff Writer & Copy Editor

1.) Why did you join Charger Press, and what year did you join?

I joined Charger Press in senior year after I took Lang & Comp with Kowalske the prior year. She is—as you know—the advisor for the club, so that was how I got my introduction to Charger Press. I joined as a way to maintain my writing skills at first but was able to practice revising others’ writings as the copy editor, too.

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

I have written two articles with my favorite being “HHS New Policies: Analyzing Early Opinions.”

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

My TWO favorite articles are “The Unsolvable Equation: Red or Blue?” and “Charger Robotics: More than Robots.” The former started from a really fun debate in one of my classes, and I just think the topic overall is a very entertaining way to connect—or rather, fight—with other people. Gabby & Riley did a nice job presenting the topic as well. The latter was written by my friend Disha about the 2024-25 robotics season, and it brought back a lot of nostalgia as I read it. There were so many memories made with the achievements that our team accomplished, and Disha did a wonderful job capturing it all.

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

Writing for the paper was a really nice way for me to take topics that I had interest in and share them with others to read. The exchange of ideas on so many different topics is what makes Charger Press so exciting. I’m even hoping to publish an article on supersonic flight soon!

5.) Plans for next year? College? Intended major or career goals?

Next year, I will be attending UW-Madison for Mechanical Engineering. One of my life goals is to become a professor someday.

6.) Any last words or advice for future Charger Press writers?

Let curiosity take you all the way! It’s that initial spark that always leads to great adventures. Only thing is to make sure you don’t create TOO many sparks that lead to an uncontrollable wildfire.

Madeline Yingst- Staff Writer

1.) Why did you join Charger Press, and what year did you join?

I joined to improve my writing and communication skills. I joined in my junior year.

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

I wrote one article about DECA’s Adopt a Classroom event, “Hamilton DECA Adopt a Classroom.”

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

My other favorite articles are anything DECA. The competition and community service event recaps are the best, such as “ICDC Recap.”

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

I enjoyed writing on topics that are special to me to spread to others at Hamilton for anyone who wanted to join.

5.) Plans for next year? College? Intended major or career goals?

I am attending the University of Minnesota to major in Political Science on a Pre-Law track. I am also planning on minoring in Business Law.

6.) Any last words or advice for future Charger Press writers?

I would encourage anyone to join Charger Press, no matter what career path you intend to pursue. The skills I learned through this club will be valuable for everyone.