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HHS Media

Where every person has a story.

HHS Media

Where every person has a story.

HHS Media

Ilana Mattson

Ilana Mattson, Staff Reporter

Ilana Mattson is a freshman at Harrisonburg High School and in her first year of Newsstreak as a staff reporter. She spends most of her fall in the marching band and most of the rest of the year preoccupied with school. When she has the chance, she enjoys reading and looking at various memes. Ilana is particularly fond of mac n’ cheese, Cheez-Its, and ginger ale, as well as her two cats, Kitty and Merlin.

All content by Ilana Mattson
Sophomore Ilana Mattson holds her cat, Merlin. “I haven’t really spent that much more time with my cats, but I have been sleeping downstairs which is where the cats typically hang out. They’ll come in and I’ll get to sleep with them at my feet and that’s really cute,” Mattson said.

Sophomore Ilana Mattson holds her cat, Merlin. “I haven’t really spent that much more time with my cats, but I have been sleeping downstairs which is where the cats typically hang out. They’ll come...

Coffee makes versatile, enjoyable drink

Coffee makes versatile, enjoyable drink

Ilana Mattson, Staff Reporter April 22, 2019

My mornings start off with a white Yeti mug and my favorite Gevalia ground coffee, two tablespoons, packed into an espresso machine. A few minutes of waiting for the coffee to brew while I eat my breakfast,...

A student wears a light pink Fjallräven Kånken bag to school. Mattson believes that their high price and small size make them inconvenient.

Fjallräven Kånken backpacks are too small, pricey for daily use

Ilana Mattson, Staff Reporter April 15, 2019

Square and Swedish, it’s the bag of the basic girl: the Fjallräven Kånken. While it’s popular and well-made, the bag is expensive and not worth the price. To start, the Kånken is small....

Matter moves to HHS, finds news ideology

Matter moves to HHS, finds news ideology

Ilana Mattson, Staff Reporter April 8, 2019

You likely know everyone you’ve gone to school with for the past 10 years. You also probably haven’t changed school systems at all since you started. Freshman Henry Matter, however, has transferred...

Junior Abby McCollum creates a vibrant eyeshadow look for her Instagram account, @makeupbyabby_paigeee. McCollum began her self-taught makeup Instagram account when she realized she wanted to showcase her looks and find more inspiration with other makeup Instagram account users.

McCollum creates colorful makeup looks through Instagram account

Ilana Mattson, Staff Reporter March 22, 2019

While it may seem like a waste of time to others, expressing her art of makeup creations through an Instagram is one way junior Abby McCollum expresses herself. “I’ve always been really creative...

Cecelia Diego-Munoz and Guillermo Lopez applaud those who have received awards.

Cecelia Diego-Munoz and Guillermo Lopez applaud those who have received awards.

Sergeant Major Russel Wilder smiles as he watches students receive awards.

Sergeant Major Russel Wilder smiles as he watches students receive awards.

Students recite a chant as the ceremony starts.

Students recite a chant as the ceremony starts.

The honor guard marches offstage as the ceremony ends.

The honor guard marches offstage as the ceremony ends.

Colonel Roy McCutcheon watches awards be presented.

Colonel Roy McCutcheon watches awards be presented.

Colonel Roy McCutcheon, Cecelia Diego-Munoz and Guillermo Lopez applaud those who got an award as the ceremony comes to a close.

Colonel Roy McCutcheon, Cecelia Diego-Munoz and Guillermo Lopez applaud those who got an award as the ceremony comes to a close.

Students stand for the national anthem.

Students stand for the national anthem.

Freshman Janefer Lobo walks off stage after receiving an award.

Freshman Janefer Lobo walks off stage after receiving an award.

Freshman Cole Phillips shakes hands with Colonel Roy McCutcheon after receiving an award.

Freshman Cole Phillips shakes hands with Colonel Roy McCutcheon after receiving an award.

Senior Tommy Karageorge shows off his shoe collection.

Karageorge collects, sells shoes

Ilana Mattson, Staff Reporter February 7, 2019

For years, senior Tommy Karageorge has created the image of a “sneakerhead” for himself. Boasting over 110 pairs of shoes, including Yeezys and Nike Air Maxes, Karageorge truly seems to enjoy buying...

Sprite Cranberry fills the shelves of a grocery store. In 2018, Sprite released a holiday commercial advertising Sprite Cranberry featuring LeBron James and D.R.A.M.

[Photo] Sprite cranberry is just Sprite repackaged

Ilana Mattson, Staff Reporter December 24, 2018

Sprite Cranberry fills the shelves of a grocery store. In 2018, Sprite released a holiday commercial advertising Sprite Cranberry featuring LeBron James and D.R.A.M.

Mrs. Leeper directs the Concert band during the HHS Winter Concert.

Upton, Leeper review successful performance

Ilana Mattson, Staff Reporter December 20, 2018

The curtains closed after the choir and the risers were hurried off the stage to be replaced by chairs and stands. The Concert Band rushed on right after a brief warm up and the curtains were torn open....

A color guard member twirls a flag before performing at the City County Showcase at Broadway High School.

Color Guard deserves more credit

Ilana Mattson, Staff Reporter October 10, 2018

A marching band strides down the street during a parade, all in perfect little lines, moving in unison. Behind them follows the color guard. You’ve seen them. The “flag twirlers.” They whip their...

Sophomore Silas Benevento, junior Ruby North-Sandel and sophomore Stanley Inouye lip-sync to “I Want It That Way” by The Backstreet Boys.

[Photo] Band holds annual lock-in

Layla Seefried, Staff Reporter September 12, 2018

Sophomore Kirk McClay dribbles the ball in front of freshman Arjun Kunver during a 1 v 1 round of basketball.

Q&A with Kate Kirwan

Q&A with Kate Kirwan

Ilana Mattson, Staff Reporter August 30, 2018

Q: What do you think about high school so far? A: “I like the freedom [compared to] middle school. And you can meet a lot of people and it’s a bigger area, so I like it.” Q: Are classes hard...

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Ilana Mattson