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The student news site of Benet Academy

Benet Herald

The student news site of Benet Academy

Benet Herald

The student news site of Benet Academy

Benet Herald

2024-2025 Staff

John T. Augustyn
Editor-in-Chief

John T. Augustyn

Hello All! My name is John Augustyn, and I am a current senior at Benet as well as the Editor-In-Chief of the Benet Herald for the 2024-25 school year. At the Academy, I am captaining the Scholastic Bowl Team (which earned the #103...

Valerie Figueroa
Section Editor

Valerie Figueroa

In the 2024-25 school year, Valerie Figueroa (‘26) was the Section Editor of the Fine Arts, Opinion, Ask A Redwing, and A Redwing You Should Know Sections, and was the secondary Section Editor for the School News Section. Hi everyone! M...

MaryGrace Bracken
Section Editor

MaryGrace Bracken

In the 2024-25 school year, MaryGrace Bracken (‘26) was the Section Editor of the Sports and Catholic Corner Sections, and primary Section Editor for the School News Section. Hi! My name is MaryGrace Bracken, and I’m thr...

Molly Fetters
Staff Writer

Molly Fetters

Britta Hinz
Staff Writer

Britta Hinz

Chelsea Luna
Staff Writer

Chelsea Luna

Olivia Bracken
Staff Writer

Olivia Bracken

Hello, my name is Olivia Bracken and I am so excited to write for the Benet Herald! I am a freshman here at Benet and very passionate about writing. I am involved in L.I.F.T, the Spring Musical, Model UN, and I serve as a Stud...

Kamryn Engram
Staff Writer

Kamryn Engram

Hello! My name is Kamryn Engram, and I am a current junior here at Benet. I am currently a member of the Benet Swim Team and was voted Team Co-Captain for the 2025-2026 season. Other activities I participate in at Benet are t...

Cameron Boonsearm-Niedzwiedz
Staff Writer

Cameron Boonsearm-Niedzwiedz

Hi everyone! My name is Cameron Boonsearm-Niedzwiedz, and I am currently a journalist for the Benet Herald for the 2024-25 school year. At the Academy, I participate in the swim team, and I am currently in choir. Outside of ...

Jeremy Konieczny
Staff Writer

Jeremy Konieczny

My name is Jeremy Konieczny, and I’m a sophomore here at Benet. I’m new to the Benet Herald this semester, but I am excited to join because I enjoy interviewing others and knowing about the many activities at Benet. Some thi...

Julian Mehra
Staff Writer

Julian Mehra

Sydney Slavin
Staff Writer

Sydney Slavin

Stella Grant
Staff Writer

Stella Grant

Hello, everyone! My name is Stella Grant, and I am a current sophomore here at Benet for the 2024 - 2025 school year. I am involved in a variety of activities at Benet Academy, such as Wind Ensemble, Chorus, Marching Band, Investment...

Eva Kim
Staff Writer

Eva Kim

Hello! My name is Eva Kim and I am a junior at Benet. This year, I am the Secretary of Cuisine Club, a member of Benet Buddies, involved with the Friends of Imiliwaha Junior Board, a member of NHS, and a writer for the Benet Her...

Lauren Smith
Staff Writer

Lauren Smith

Hello! My name is Lauren Smith, and I am a freshman at Benet Academy. This year I am on the freshman volleyball and softball teams. Outside of athletics, I am part of the Benet Herald and World Culture Club. In my free time, I ...

Eleanor Parsinen
Staff Writer

Eleanor Parsinen

Hello! My name is Eleanor Parsinen, and I am a freshman. At Benet, I am currently on the Girls Swim Team, German Club, and Red Cross Club in addition to the Benet Herald. When I am not in school, I compete for the Lyons Aquatics...

Olivia Rooney
Staff Writer

Olivia Rooney

Hello! My name is Olivia Rooney, and I am currently a freshman at Benet. Currently, I am a member of the Benet Herald and am on the Benet tennis team. Outside of Benet, I also enjoy playing soccer, and am hoping to be on the B...

Campbell Cox
Staff Writer

Campbell Cox

Hi, my name is Campbell Cox, and I am a current freshman at Benet Academy. I am an active member of the Benet Herald, Cuisine Club, Special Spaces, and Student Government. I belong to St. Isaac Jogues Parish, which is where I ...

Colleen Murphy
Staff Writer

Colleen Murphy

Hello Everyone! My name is Colleen Murphy. I am a freshman at Benet and a member of many clubs, including the Benet Herald, Benet Buddies, L.I.F.T/Campus Ministry, and Student Government. Some of my favorite subjects are science, hi...

Nicholas "Nico" Pieper
Staff Writer

Nicholas “Nico” Pieper

Hello! My name is Nico Pieper, and I am currently a junior at Benet Academy. I am a writer for the Benet Herald, and am excited to both write articles with this club and also learn new skills during the year. At Benet, I am a par...

Alexandra "Alli" Pieper
Staff Writer

Alexandra “Alli” Pieper

Hi! My name is Alli Pieper, and I am currently a junior at Benet. I am very involved in many activities at Benet, including tennis, track, Benet Scholars, Model UN, and Cuisine Club. I have been a part of Benet Scholars for tw...

Shea Kelly
Staff Writer

Shea Kelly

Hi all! My name is Shea Kelly, and this is my first year on the Benet Herald as a Staff Writer. I am a junior at Benet, and I have an older sister at the University of Tennessee, a freshman sister currently at Benet, and a lit...

Alexander Gastolek
Staff Writer

Alexander Gastolek

Hello, my name is Alex Gastolek, and I am currently a sophomore at Benet Academy. I am an Activity Writer for the Benet Herald in the 2024-2025 school year. At Benet, I participate in  Investment Club, Student Government, the Benet Her...

Jocelyn Jeka
Staff Writer

Jocelyn Jeka

My name is Jocelyn Jeka, and I am a senior at Benet Academy. I have been a writer for the Benet Herald since my Junior year. I am currently a part of Orchesis and Benet Buddies, and I have also been a part of Benet Theater, t...

Lauren Busche
Staff Writer

Lauren Busche

Hi everyone! My name is Lauren Busche. I am a junior at Benet, and this is my first year writing with Benet Herald as an activity writer. I am involved in Girls Golf, the Debate Team, and Cuisine Club at Benet, and I am excited for...

Brian Mietus
Staff Writer

Brian Mietus

Greetings everyone! My name is Brian Mietus, and I am a current sophomore at Benet. I participate in Investment Club, Student Government, Benet Buddies, and the Benet Herald as a writer. At Benet, I also play soccer in the fall ...

Cosette Lee
Staff Writer

Cosette Lee

Hello Benet Academy! My name is Cosette Lee. I am a sophomore transfer student from Naperville North High School. Outside of school, I spend time with my family, friends, and my one dog. I also do charity work through the Nat...

Helena McCabe
Staff Writer

Helena McCabe

Hello! My name is Helena McCabe. I am a freshman at Benet Academy and I am excited to take on my role in the Benet Herald as an Activity Writer. In addition to the Benet Herald, I am involved with Student Government as well as the ...

Grant Cabana
Staff Writer

Grant Cabana

Hello, Readers! My name is Grant Cabana, and I am currently a freshman at Benet Academy. As a long-time cross-country runner, pianist, and writer, I appreciate the immeasurable opportunities to fulfill myself academically, sociall...

Liam Hruby
Staff Writer

Liam Hruby

My name is Liam Hruby, and I am a current freshman at Benet. I attended All Saints in Naperville before attending Benet, and I am very excited for the next four years here. I am on the cross country team, and hope to join track fo...

Tessa Data
Staff Writer

Tessa Data

Hi! My name is Tessa Data, and I am a freshman at Benet currently. I not only do the Benet Herald, but I’m also in the German Club, Red Cross Club, and am also a part of the Freshman Student Ambassador Group that visits loc...

Emmett "Packey" Malloy
Staff Writer

Emmett “Packey” Malloy

Hi Everyone!! My name is Packey Malloy, and I am thrilled to be serving as an activity writer for the Benet Herald this school year. I am a current sophomore at Benet and an alumnus of St. Isaac Jogues School in Hinsdale. At ...

Dominic Piscopo
Staff Writer

Dominic Piscopo

Hi there! My name is Dominic Piscopo, and I am currently in my final year at Benet Academy and am the Activity Writer for both the Musical and Other Fine Arts events. Outside of writing for the Benet Herald, I have participat...

Siobhan Russell
Staff Writer

Siobhan Russell

Hello! My name is Siobhan Russell, and I am a sophomore at Benet. I am currently involved in the Medical Club, L.I.F.T. Board, Student Government, Marians, Benet Buddies, Red Cross Club, and the Debate Team. Outside of Benet, ...

Michael Francis
Staff Writer

Michael Francis

Michael Francis '26 is the executive director of the Benet Academy Scholars Program, a position he has held for two years now. He is also in his third term representing the class of 2026 as a Student Government representative. In a...

Madeline McGarry
Staff Writer

Madeline McGarry

Hello everyone! My name is Maddie McGarry, and I’m a senior at Benet Academy, where I am a member of the girls cross country and track teams. In track, I focus on hurdles, jumps, and sprints, and I’m proud to have gone to...

Harlan Apple
Staff Writer

Harlan Apple

My name is Harlan Apple and I am a current Senior. Here at Benet, I’m captain of the boys’ Swim Team, founder of the Microfinance Club, an Activity Writer for the Benet Herald, and a member of Yearbook Club. Outside of school, Iâ€...

Ella Paramo
Staff Writer

Ella Paramo

My name is Ella Paramo, and I am a current sophomore at Benet Academy. Here at Benet, I am involved in Benet Buddies, Spanish Club, Recycling Club, and the Benet Herald. Outside of school, I dance competitively and spend much of my fre...

Lexi Devyak
Staff Writer

Lexi Devyak

Hi everyone! My name is Lexi Devyak, and I am a current Sophomore at Benet Academy. I am involved in many different clubs and activities, such as Girls Cross Country, Benet Herald, Diversity Leadership Council, and Red Cross Cl...

Joseph Jenkot-DelaRosa
Part-Time Staff Writer

Joseph Jenkot-DelaRosa

Deniz Dogansoysal
Editor-In-Chief

Deniz Dogansoysal

As a senior at Benet Academy and the Editor-In-Chief of the Benet Herald, I’m passionate about storytelling and leading a team that brings key events to the forefront of our school community. Beyond my work with the newspape...