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HHS Media

Where every person has a story.

HHS Media

Where every person has a story.

HHS Media

Kasey Thompson

Kasey Thompson, Yearbook Editor in Chief

Kasey Thompson is a senior at Harrisonburg High School and the Yearbook Editor in Chief. This is her fourth year on staff. She runs on the indoor track team in the winter and spends her off seasons at the gym. She is in the Governor's STEM Academy, plays a role on the Quill and Scroll Advisory Board, is a part of Key Club and she is also in National Honor Society. Outside of school, she works at Martins. Her biggest goal for this year is to leave HHS Media better than she found it. After graduating, Kasey hopes to attend college and major in communications or design to hopefully pursue a journalism career in her future. 

All content by Kasey Thompson
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...

Students created an anti gun violence poster that hangs in the cafeteria.

Staff Editorial: We want change

Kasey Thompson and Editorial Board May 26, 2023

We’re scared. Gun violence is the number one cause of death for children under 18 according to the Gun Violence Archive. According to the Council on Foreign Relations, “In 2021, guns killed...

Hector Jose

Sharhabeel, Thomas, Jose believe HHS presents positive, diverse learning environment

Kasey Thompson, Yearbook Editor in Chief April 14, 2023

According to the Virginia Department of Education School Quality Profiles and Enrollment, HHS is more diverse than any other high school in our proximity. Junior Enas Sharhabeel was born in Sudan and...

Gold Circle Awards

Gabel, Alsaadoon win honorable mentions in CSPA Gold Circle Awards

Kasey Thompson, Yearbook Editor in Chief April 10, 2023

The Columbia Scholastic Press Association (CSPA) announced the winners for their 39th and 40th Gold Circle Awards program. The awards recognize individuals at the national level in several categories....

alondra & olga

JROTC program provides family dynamic for Reyez, Guifarro

Kasey Thompson, Yearbook Editor in Chief February 20, 2023

Junior Olga Reyez and senior Alondra Guifarro have been in the JROTC program since they were freshmen. Reyez is the Battalion Commander which requires her to oversee the way the program runs. Guifarro...

Whats 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...

Seniors Shyanna Davis, Wren Amaya, Anish Aradhey, Erin Newman, Samantha Syharath and Belicia Castro were the six seniors on the color guard team. “Color guard is definitely more than just a team. It’s more of a family and something that makes it so special is the simple fact that you are able to bond with everyone, first years or seniors,” Davis said.

Seniors on color guard reminisce on last season performing together

Kasey Thompson, Yearbook Editor in Chief December 7, 2022

Seniors Shyanna Davis, Anish Aradhey, Erin Newman and Samantha Syharath have been a part of color guard together since their freshman year. Seniors Belicia Castro and Wren Amaya joined later, but quickly...

Josh Sundquist and Logan Marmino pose together. “All of my cast members and even the crew members, everybody was amazing. It definitely made the experience of being on set a lot more enjoyable and much better, especially since it was my first time,” Marmino said.

Alumnus Josh Sundquist reflects on experience writing, filming “Best Foot Forward,” passion stemmed from school newspaper position

Kasey Thompson, Yearbook Editor in Chief November 4, 2022

Imagine getting to watch your childhood play out on a screen, to witness your core memories from a new perspective. Alumnus, author and paralympic athlete Josh Sundquist got this opportunity. His life,...

English and debate teacher Danae Delozier talks to a student during the after school debate team meeting.

Delozier takes over debate, works to fill Cosner’s shoes

Kasey Thompson, Yearbook Editor in Chief November 3, 2022

When former teacher Aaron Cosner was offered the job of principal and debate coach at Redeemer Classical School in Keezletown, Virginia, English teacher Danae Delozier took over Cosner’s position...

Senior Finn Maddox gives a speech in protest of trans rights. Maddox, a member of the Gay Straight Alliance, helped plan the walkout. They met with GSA every week in October to ensure the walkout was a success.

[Photo] Students plan walkout in protest of lawsuit filed against HCPS

November 2, 2022

Senior Finn Maddox gives a speech in protest of trans rights. Maddox, a member of the Gay Straight Alliance, helped plan the walkout. They met with GSA every week in October to ensure the walkout was a...

Burgess playing basketball

Burgess tackles pressures of upcoming senior basketball season, sees offers on horizon

Kasey Thompson, Yearbook Editor in Chief September 30, 2022

“Now becoming a senior, it's more surreal. It's taking basketball and trying to turn it into your life even more.” Basketball has been a primary part of senior Jadon Burgess’ life. Now, shifting...

Junior Lena Rasool. She was blunt, funny [and] literally the sweetest person I have ever met in my life, Ibrahim said.

Remembering Lena Rasool

Kasey Thompson and Riley Thompson May 3, 2022

“She loved McDonald's. She loved hot fries. She loved ‘Love’ by Keyshia Cole, the song. She loved the color pink. She loved handbags. She loved perfume. She loved clothes. She really loved everything,”...

Savulyak attended an event in Washington D.C. with the goal of bringing awareness to the war and showing the US’ support of Ukraine.

Russian, Ukrainian students speak out about war

Kasey Thompson, Yearbook Editor in Chief April 29, 2022

The ongoing war between Russia and Ukraine escalated in recent months when Russia invaded Ukraine. About 31% of the high school’s student body is Ukrainian and about 9% are Russian. These students...

Members of TSA at the Valley Regional Fair hold their awards from the competition.

TSA students compete, recognized for success

Kasey Thompson, Yearbook Editor in Chief March 24, 2022

Students from the TSA chapter competed at the Virginia TSA Valley Regional Fair on Saturday, Mar. 5. The students competed against their peers and led their region through positions on the Valley Regional...

Sophomore Michael Bennett poses for a photo outside of his drivers education classroom.

[Photo] Bennett strives for acting career despite physical disability

February 23, 2022

Sophomore Michael Bennett poses for a photo outside of his drivers education classroom.

Sophomore CJ Hulleman takes the baton from junior Braeden McGrath in the 4 x 800 meter relay.

[Photo] Indoor Track competes in 5A region meet

February 15, 2022

Sophomore CJ Hulleman takes the baton from junior Braeden McGrath in the 4 x 800 meter relay.

Junior Kimber Lambert wears a necklace featuring the transgender symbol.

Lambert navigates being transgender in high school

Kasey Thompson, Yearbook Editor in Chief February 10, 2022

“It’s just a phase.” These words discouraged junior Kimber Lambert as he tackled the long road of his transition ahead of him, as well as working to grow into the person he is today.  “[Others...

Senior Michelle Jurado poses with her mom at her gender reveal party.

Jurado tackles life with newborn, reflects on pregnancy

Kasey Thompson, Yearbook Editor in Chief February 4, 2022

Senior Michelle Jurado gave birth to Amari Santana Cruz January 24, 2022. Since getting pregnant, her perspective has shifted. “I was with [Amari’s] dad [when I found out I was pregnant]. The...

Members of GSA

Physics, chemistry teacher Seth Berkeley runs Gay-Straight Alliance

Kasey Thompson, Yearbook Editor in Chief January 21, 2022

Physics and Chemistry teacher Seth Berkeley has served as the faculty advisor for the Gay-Straight Alliance (GSA) for nine years. A student asked him to bring the club back in his second year of teaching.  “She...

Sophomore Hugo Gonzalez Dutor goes up for a free throw.

JV boys basketball looses 54-55 to Millbrook High School

Kasey Thompson, Yearbook Editor in Chief December 2, 2021

After moving here nine months ago, Junior Solana Mercado-Santana has adjusted to life in Harrisonburg.

Mercado-Santana adjusts to life in Harrisonburg, moving from Hawaii

Kasey Thompson, Yearbook Editor in Chief November 30, 2021

Junior Solana Mercado-Santana moved to Harrisonburg about nine months ago after living on the Hawaiian islands her whole life.  “My grandparents emigrated from Puerto Rico to Hawaii. My mom was born...

Destroying the soap dispensers in the boys bathroom was the first step in the devious licks trend. Photo posed by the Newsstreak staff.

“Devious Licks” trend takes over the boys bathrooms

Kasey Thompson, Yearbook Editor in Chief November 15, 2021

The “Devious Licks” trend, inspired by a TikTok challenge to destroy school bathrooms, began in September. Assistant Principal Heath Johnston was involved in the aftermath of these trends taking place....

Quiñones made a tote bag for herself as well.

Quiñones designs and sells tote bags

Kasey Thompson, Yearbook Editor in Chief November 6, 2021

Junior Yulianis Quiñones began painting and selling tote bags over the summer in her free time. Quiñones designs each bag to be unique to the person that buys it.  “[The tote bags are designed...

The HHS Media editorial staff holds a celebration for Valerie Kibler. From the left, the editorial staff includes juniors Jolie Sallah, Kasey Thompson, seniors Lucia Gabel, Rachel Phensitthy, Maya Waid, Valerie Kibler, juniors Lily Fleming, Riley Thompson and Silas Spears.

HHS Media combines staffs for the first time

Kasey Thompson, Yearbook Editor in Chief November 5, 2021

For the first time ever, the yearbook, newspaper and broadcasting staffs have combined under one title, HHS Media. The yearbook and newspaper staffs are one in the same, with broadcasting still being a...

A mix of Halloween candies.

My top five Halloween candies

Kasey Thompson, Yearbook Editor in Chief November 5, 2021

Being a junior in high school, I’ve long outgrown trick or treating, however I think every teenager still enjoys  the halloween candy. You’re never too old for sweets. When I was a kid, I always got...

Seniors and assistant drum majors Mikey Paniagua, Jeslyn Liu and AJ Moats hold their trophies from the Star City Classic competition.

Marching band, color guard win grand champion title

Kasey Thompson, Yearbook Editor in Chief October 1, 2021

Marching band and color guard traveled to Star City Classic in Roanoke, Virginia for a competition hosted by William Fleming and Patrick Henry Saturday, Sept. 25, 2021. It was their first chance of the...

Sophomore Ellie Alcombright reads the book, Flora and Ulysses.

[Photo] ‘Flora and Ulysses’ movie measures up to the book

October 1, 2021

Sophomore Ellie Alcombright reads the book, "Flora and Ulysses."

Du is currently working on a four year college planning checklist for seniors.

Stum works through college applications, takes advice from college advisors

Kasey Thompson, Yearbook Editor in Chief September 27, 2021

Senior Morgan Stum is applying to several colleges early action. She started working on applications late this summer.  “I am applying to about four schools early action. [They are] University...

74% of US teens in the 15-17 age group use Snapchat.

Snapchat has become mentally draining rather than useful

Kasey Thompson, Yearbook Editor in Chief September 21, 2021

The social media platform Snapchat, has been the primary means of communication and news source with my friends and classmates since middle school. However, as I’ve gotten older, the app has become draining...

Sophomores participate in outdoor games during the Wellness Fair.

Counseling department holds Wellness Fair for sophomores

Kasey Thompson, Yearbook Editor in Chief June 1, 2021

The counseling department held a Wellness Fair for each grade level throughout the last four Wednesdays. May 19 was the sophomore wellness fair. The goal of the event was to allow each grade level to focus...

Freshman Idaly Alvarez catches the ball at softball practice.

Northam releases new mask mandate for social gatherings and sporting events

Kasey Thompson, Yearbook Editor in Chief May 28, 2021

Governor Ralph Northam recently released a new mask mandate for events, including high school sports, effective May 15.  People who are fully vaccinated no longer need to wear masks outdoors “when...

Students who have gone back to an in-person schedule find their classes.

Freshmen and sophomores predict impacts of virtual learning on in-person schooling next year

Kasey Thompson, Yearbook Editor in Chief May 28, 2021

Most freshmen and some sophomores are going into their next year of high school with little time in the building to experience its activities. This may have a large effect on the school environment next...

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