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HHS Media

Where every person has a story.

HHS Media

Silas Spears

Silas Spears, Online Editor in Chief

Silas Spears is a senior at Harrisonburg High School and is the Online Editor in Chief. He has been on staff for four years. He is a member of the  Governor’s STEM Academy, Key Club and National Honors Society. Silas competes for both the indoor and outdoor track teams, running the 400 meter race as well as doing the triple, long and high jump.When not running, Silas likes to hang out with friends and work. He really enjoys hiking and watching the sunset. His favorite place to do that is Reddish Knob. Silas plans to graduate high school and attend college, working to get his MBA.

All content by Silas Spears
Seniors Riley Thompson, Kasey Thompson, Jolie Sallah and Silas Spears pose for a picture on a trip to San Francisco for a journalism convention.

Newsstreak Senior Farewells

I joined Newsstreak my freshman year after attending JCamp the summer before ninth grade. JCamp sparked an interest in me for photojournalism and story writing. I thought I loved photography and imagined...

What's all the beef about?

What’s all the beef about?

Dr. Hensley speaks to impact of physical violence between students on administration, student body, learning environment Dr. Melissa Hensley has been a school administrator for 18 years and a principal...

Wickline sells a Men's Nike SB Dunk High Hawaii. “One of my youth leaders got me into selling shoes. He would come to my youth group every week, with really nice shoes, so we would talk about shoes all the time. And then I just got into it,” Wickline said. 

Wickline pursues selling shoes

Silas Spears, Online Editor in Chief December 1, 2022

Wickline sells a Men's Nike SB Dunk High Hawaii.Sophomore Josiah Wickline first got into selling shoes when he met his youth leader his freshman year of high school.  “One of my youth leaders...

Sophomore Addie McLeod holds a poster in support of the walkout. Students walked out of school and gathered to listen to speeches given by their peers November 1.

Students plan walkout in protest of lawsuit filed against HCPS

Silas Spears, Online Editor in Chief November 2, 2022

Six adults, Deborah Figliola, Kristine Marsh, Timothy and Laura Nelson, and John and Nicole Stephen are suing Harrisonburg City Public Schools (HCPS) over a school district policy that allows for teachers...

The Harrisonburg High School Marching Blue Streaks band placed grand champion and second highest of an event.

Marching Blue Streak Band competes in first competitions of the season

Silas Spears, Online Editor in Chief September 19, 2022

The Marching Blue Streak Band competed in their first two competitions this season with their 2022 production Masterpiece, Saturday, September 17. The band performed at Stuarts Draft High School....

Freshmen orientation information.

Freshmen orientation

Silas Spears, Online Editor in Chief July 26, 2022

FRESHMEN! 9th grade orientation is being held at Harrisonburg High School, Tuesday, August 16.

The Envirothon team poses for a picture after winning competition.

Envirothon team wins first place at Virginia Envirothon state competition

Silas Spears, Online Editor in Chief May 17, 2022

The Harrisonburg High School Envirothon team placed first  at the Virginia Envirothon state competition held at Eastern Mennonite University (EMU) Monday, May 16. Members of the team include juniors An...

Senior Mallory Knupp warms up by taking practice shots before playing Millbrook High School.

Knupp reflects on soccer careeer

Silas Spears, Online Editor in Chief May 9, 2022

Playing on a team since the age of four, putting in countless hours of practice, balancing sports with academics; senior Mallory Knupp approaches the end of her high school sports career. Knupp has been...

Scan the QR code to fill out a survey featuring details of the new high school. On the survey you can pick names, colors and the mascot you think best fitting for the new high school.

Help decide names, colors, mascot of new high school

Silas Spears, Online Editor in Chief April 26, 2022

The new high school is in the middle of getting its name, mascot and colors. Superintendent Michael Richards is playing a major role in this.  “At its meeting this week, the school board narrowed...

Senior Kate Kirwan, junior Anish Aradhey and debate coach Aaron Cosner pose for a photo at the VHSL State Debate Tournament. "Both Anish and Kate have dedicated many hours to research and practice in order to be this successful," Cosner said.

Aradhey, Kirwan compete at VHSL State Debate Tournament

Silas Spears, Online Editor in Chief April 25, 2022

The VHSL State Debate Tournament was held at James Madison University on Friday and Saturday April 22 and 23. Senior Kate Kirwan and Anish Aradhey both competed representing Harrisonburg High School. In...

Sophomores Bimansha Huseni, Kaitlyn Stum, senior Carlos Bolanos and  FBLA director Matthew Denlinger pose for a picture after competing at the Virginia State Leadership Conference.

FBLA competes in Virginia State Leadership Conference

Silas Spears, Online Editor in Chief April 5, 2022

Our future Business Leaders of America (FBLA) Chapter competed at the Virginia State Leadership Conference this past weekend.  The competition took place at Hyatt Regency Hotel in Reston, VA. It included...

Graduating students pick up their cap and gowns. If you are yet to have purchased your cap and gown they will be available again in April and May.

Graduating students pick up their cap and gowns. If you are yet to have purchased your cap and gown they will be available again in April and May.

The FBLA team pose for a picture after their competition at Sherando High School.

FBLA competes at the Shenandoah Regional Championships

Silas Spears, Online Editor in Chief March 21, 2022

Our HHS Future Business Leaders of America (FBLA) Chapter competed at the Shenandoah Regional Championships this past weekend.  The event was held at Sherando High School and included over 300 students...

Library secretary and playwrighter Bradley Walton holds auditions for the spring play, 'A Midsummer's Nightmare' in the courtyard.

Walton directs spring play, ‘A Midsummer’s Nightmare’

Riley Thompson, Silas Spears, and Navaya Shoemaker March 7, 2022

Library Media Secretary and spring play director Bradley Walton has been directing and writing the spring plays at HHS for over 20 years. With a background in theater in high school, Walton has been able...

In the RESET Room students have many things available for them to take advantage of. Students can draw, they can sit and be alone or they can talk with the administrator present. "If they need to process something, their teacher can refer them up here to talk about it and they can just be able to stay,” Yoder said.

RESET Room made available to assist students

Silas Spears, Online Editor in Chief January 21, 2022

Behavioral, emotional and mental health disorders have increased immensely in youth today.  Many students suffer from anger, anxiety, depression, PTSD, stress and many other less talked about ailments....

Junior Lydia Brown has always had an interest in politics. "My parents started me in politics and international relations. We talk about it a lot. It is just something that has always been really present in my life since I was really little," Brown said.

Brown holds leadership positions in band, Model United Nations

Silas Spears, Online Editor in Chief October 6, 2021

Junior Lydia Brown is a third year member of the marching band as well as the symphonic band. Brown plays the french horn and the mellophone while marching. With extracurriculars on the side, Brown is...

Schedule change

Schedule change

Silas Spears, Online Editor in Chief September 30, 2021

Beginning October 4 through December 17, 2021 the school day will be shortened. Meaning the schedule will be altered and lunches will be consolidated, dissolving D lunch. Below is the schedule. 7:45...

White likes to show different culture through her art. She researches different countries and the standards they uphold.

Coping with art turned to a passion for White

Silas Spears, Online Editor in Chief April 17, 2021

What started as a coping mechanism to grab a sense of reality and control has now turned itself into a passion. Senior Julia White’s been doing different arts since around the age of six, when her...

Fox enjoys solving the Rubik’s Cube as well as other variants

Silas Spears, Online Editor in Chief March 11, 2021

It all started when his tablet was taken away. This gave junior Caleb Fox the opportunity to solve the Rubik’s Cube more in-depth then he had previously done. What started as a hobby quickly turned to...

Juniors attend the Governor's School on Tuesdays and Thursdays. They work socially distant while wearing masks.

Massanutten Regional Governor’s School goes hybrid

Silas Spears, Online Editor in Chief February 17, 2021

Senior Stella Alexiou ended last year virtually and started this year virtually. However, that quickly changed when Massanutten Regional Governor's School, MRGS, decided to allow students to participate...

3 p.m. Wickline goes to Rawley Springs.

Sophomore Micah Wickline

Silas Spears, Online Editor in Chief May 15, 2020

12 p.m. Twining practices and plays her guitar.

Freshman Azalea Twining

Silas Spears, Online Editor in Chief May 13, 2020

Freshman Imaan Shakoor's family stocked up on cleaning supplies to try to prevent the spread of coronavirus.

Shakoor feels effects of COVID-19 with school, trips

Silas Spears, Online Editor in Chief March 16, 2020

For freshman Imaan Shakoor, the mandatory two week closure of schools due to the emergence of the novel coronavirus isn't just an extra long weekend and break, it means trips canceled, lack of preparation...

Freshman Kate Nichols gets monologue tips from freshman Ellie Peeks while at on of the musical audition workshop.

Freshman Kate Nichols gets monologue tips from freshman Ellie Peeks while at on of the musical audition workshop.

Kate Nichols plays the role of a Corny Collins Show member.

Kate Nichols plays the role of a Corny Collins Show member.

Spears enjoys FBLA, prepares for states

Spears enjoys FBLA, prepares for states

Silas Spears, Online Editor in Chief March 7, 2020

Senior Spencer Spears is a member of the after school club, Future Business Leaders of America (FBLA). She joined at the beginning of her senior year for the first time. She joined after finding out Distributive...

Sophomore Ethan Knicely works on a collage in his art class.

Sophomore Ethan Knicely works on a collage in his art class.

Sophomore Madison Horneber and junior Nicole Acusta look for pieces to go on their collage.

Sophomore Madison Horneber and junior Nicole Acusta look for pieces to go on their collage.

Sophomore Shamon Washington and Trainum work on drawings.

Sophomore Shamon Washington and Trainum work on drawings.

Sophomore Julia Mehegan looks for pieces for her collage in a magazine.

Sophomore Julia Mehegan looks for pieces for her collage in a magazine.

Senior Carlos Matute asks group members for help with his collage.

Senior Carlos Matute asks group members for help with his collage.

Sophomores Rose Trainum and Philip Levchuk work on their art pieces.

Sophomores Rose Trainum and Philip Levchuk work on their art pieces.

Senior Jayla Rudd works on a piece of art on her first day of art class.

Senior Jayla Rudd works on a piece of art on her first day of art class.

Freshman Joseph Adams attends the Holiday Parade along with JROTC.

Freshman Joseph Adams attends the Holiday Parade along with JROTC.

Sophomore Layla Seefried, left, plays drums for the Holiday Parade.

Sophomore Layla Seefried, left, plays drums for the Holiday Parade.

Junior Parker Fiske keeps JROTC on step by shouting pout chants.

Junior Parker Fiske keeps JROTC on step by shouting pout chants.

Director Ken Gibson explains the different types of monologues that can be chosen for upcoming musical auditions.

Musical workshops held for auditions

Silas Spears, Online Editor in Chief November 14, 2019

Freshman Ella Young looks for a monologue for her upcoming audition.

Freshman Ella Young looks for a monologue for her upcoming audition.

Sophomores Maya Pope, Dara Martin and Olivia King rehearse monologues together.

Sophomores Maya Pope, Dara Martin and Olivia King rehearse monologues together.

Senior Faith Evans-Haywood goes over one of the many monologues she found.

Senior Faith Evans-Haywood goes over one of the many monologues she found.

Freshman Ellie Peeks practices a monologue found online.

Freshman Ellie Peeks practices a monologue found online.

Freshman Kate Nichols (left) gets monologue tips from freshman Ellie Peeks (right).

Freshman Kate Nichols (left) gets monologue tips from freshman Ellie Peeks (right).

Sophomores Mollie Moomaw and Kristine Carper help each other find monologues.

Sophomores Mollie Moomaw and Kristine Carper help each other find monologues.

Freshman Owen Wells skims through a book of monologues to find a monologue that he may use for his upcoming musical audition.

Freshman Owen Wells skims through a book of monologues to find a monologue that he may use for his upcoming musical audition.

Freshman Evan Eberly reads over monologues.

Freshman Evan Eberly reads over monologues.

Senior Julia Lawton searches for a monologue.

Senior Julia Lawton searches for a monologue.

Freshman Ellie Velker looks for a monologue for the upcoming musical, "Hairspray."

Freshman Ellie Velker looks for a monologue for the upcoming musical, "Hairspray."

Junior Julia White works on her current illustrative art piece.

White develops visual art skills in Art 3

Silas Spears, Online Editor in Chief November 7, 2019

Throughout her childhood, junior Julia White had a love for art. As she entered high school, she realized that she wanted to continue with visual art and is now taking Art 3. White drew as a young...

Freshmen Levi Zook and Palmer Hall wear pink to support breast cancer awareness on pink out day.

Students dress up for pink out

Silas Spears, Online Editor in Chief October 30, 2019

Students observe Julia White's upcoming showcase piece.

Students observe Julia White's upcoming showcase piece.

White adds detail before completing her work.

White adds detail before completing her work.

Julia White created a few versions of the same piece of art. This one is an illustrative version.

Julia White created a few versions of the same piece of art. This one is an illustrative version.

White created a illustrative piece, left, and a classic piece for one of her assignments.

White created a illustrative piece, left, and a classic piece for one of her assignments.

Julia White gets a couple tips from her classmate,  Maggie Botticelli.

Julia White gets a couple tips from her classmate, Maggie Botticelli.

White and junior Maggie Botticelli discuss the upcoming showcase.

White and junior Maggie Botticelli discuss the upcoming showcase.

Junior Julia White's art piece is a Childhood Tribute for the upcoming showcase.  Her art represents a young girl entering the woods through a wardrobe. A scene from The Lion, The Witch, and The Wardrobe written by C.S. Lewis.

Junior Julia White's art piece is a Childhood Tribute for the upcoming showcase. Her art represents a young girl entering the woods through a wardrobe. A scene from The Lion, The Witch, and The Wardrobe...

Julia White checks to see if certain details from the two pieces match.

Julia White checks to see if certain details from the two pieces match.

Junior Maggie Botticelli  admires, sophomore, Julia Whites piece of art.

Junior Maggie Botticelli admires, sophomore, Julia Whites piece of art.

A group of freshmen and juniors pose along with their teacher for pink out day.

A group of freshmen and juniors pose along with their teacher for pink out day.

Freshmen Corey Beshoar and two of his classmates get together for a photo to show support of cancer awareness.

Freshmen Corey Beshoar and two of his classmates get together for a photo to show support of cancer awareness.

Sophomore Kofi Darko participates in spirit week by wearing pink.

Sophomore Kofi Darko participates in spirit week by wearing pink.

Julie Tibbles and a group of her students all wear pink to support breast cancer awareness.

Julie Tibbles and a group of her students all wear pink to support breast cancer awareness.

Freshman Steven Taylor wears pink on pink out day.

Freshman Steven Taylor wears pink on pink out day.

Freshmen Levi Zook and Palmer Hall wear pink to support breast cancer awareness on pink out day.

[Photo] SCA holds virtual spirit week

May 3, 2020

Freshmen Levi Zook and Palmer Hall wear pink to support breast cancer awareness on pink out day.

Diaz uses the arm curl machine to train during her weightlifting class. "I find it really empowering being the only girl in weightlifting...It's a lot of fun," Diaz said.

Diaz joins weightlifting, defies stereotypes

Silas Spears, Online Editor in Chief October 16, 2019

Junior Emily Diaz is taking weight lifting as one of her elective choices this year. She is taking it because she really enjoys exercise and likes that she gets a chance to actually exercise during school....

Ellie Velker

Ellie Velker

Silas Spears, Online Editor in Chief October 4, 2019

 What's your family life like, how many siblings?  “I have 6 siblings, and my family life is good, it’s kind of hectic in our house because everyone is there all the time.”    Do...

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