Is this you? As a journalist, you can create a free Muck Rack account to customize your profile, list your contact preferences, and upload a portfolio of your best work.
Claim your profile
Articles by Kate Dziewinski
DGS says ‘bonjour’
The 2025 France trip is coming up this June. It’s a 10 day trip, Jun. 4-14, meant for DGS students to learn more about French culture. French teacher Sophia Reuillon was the coordinator of the 2023 France trip and is the coordinator for this one. Reuillon spoke upon the main goal for this trip. “The thing I love the most about these trips is seeing the kids have the opportunity to use their French for real life situations where they can’t get by without having to use French.
Rebound program enforced for Dupage County high schools
The DuPage Regional Office of Education’s Rebound program is one of the many different resources DGS uses. The off campus program is for students who are in need of intense disciplinary actions compared to suspension. Dr. Karen Taylor spoke upon how DGS has used this program the most this past semester than they have over the past couple years. In the 2023-2024 school year there were a total of nine student referrals.
Girls Trostangs gymnastics win IHSA state
The Trostangs are the 2025 IHSA State Champions after winning by three points with the score of 148.7250. This is the first time in 25 years that a team has won state by that much. Just last year, they placed 2nd and in 2023 they were also the IHSA State Champions. “Going into the competition we were not expecting anything outside of our personal team goals.
Kate predicts Lollapalooza 2025 lineup
July 31- Aug. 3 will be the best four days of 2025 because it’s Lollapalooza baby. This will be my fourth year going to Lollapalooza, and I am hyped. So, I thought I should share my top predictions for this year’s 2025 Lollapalooza headliner lineup. Olivia Rodrigo Rodrigo is literally headlining at the 2025 Chile, Argentina, Brazil and Paris Lollapaloozas. It simply wouldn’t make sense if she doesn’t headline at the U.S. location. Rodrigo is also headlining at the OSHEAGA festival on Aug.
McNamara captures the moment
Everyone appreciates the pictures that surround them, but hardly ever stop to consider the photographer who took them. However, senior Shawn McNamara has established himself as a well-known photographer and videographer in the sports aspect of Downers Grove. McNamara started his photography career two years ago by picking up his dad’s camera at his younger brother’s basketball game.
Maylath shares his story back to the mound
Injuries for any individual can be devastating, but an injury for an athlete can stop them from playing the game they love and completely change their life. However, for senior varsity baseball pitcher Tyler Maylath, he kept playing. During his Sophomore year, Maylath developed the one injury that no baseball player would ever want; the Tommy John injury. When Maylath found out the news, he thought his baseball career was over. “I was freaked out, [and] I didn’t really know what to do.
Adam Flowers faces past team
Starting Hinsdale South transfer guard Adam Flowers rose to the occasion to secure the Mustangs win, 57-52, against his old team, Hinsdale South, in overtime after hitting a 3-pointer to break the tie game with 59 seconds left on Jan. 21. “I was like-go away. I wanted to say it so bad but I knew I had to stay poised because we had to get another stop. I let the three go away and went back for defense,” Flowers said. Which they did.
Boys basketball charges into new season
The 2024-2025 boys varsity basketball season is starting to take motion. The boys are ecstatic for this upcoming season, especially that sectionals will be hosted here at DGS in the early spring. Senior assistant coach Gavenson Bayer spoke about what they are expecting from this year’s group of boys. “I’m expecting us to be really good on offense and our defense.
Boys varsity basketball team overtakes Nazareth Academy in a high-scoring game, 74-68
Categories: A riveting basketball game took place last Saturday night at home for the DGS boys varsity basketball team. Even with the boys slow start, they managed to pull off a high scoring win against Nazareth Academy, 74-68. The boys started the game with a win on the jump ball by starting 6’7” forward Daniel Sveiteris against Nazareth starting 6’8” forward Danny Wrzesinski. However; Nazareth put numbers on the board first, the scorers being guard Matthew Callahan and point guard Eddie McNamara.
Call Her Blueprint: Episode One
Categories: On this episode of ‘Call Her Blueprint,’ host Kate Dziewinski invited senior Addy Phillips to talk among the topic of red flags in people. They chatted about slow walkers, dry texters and many more. What's your biggest red flag? Loading... Sorry, there was an error loading this poll. Approval seeking individuals Bad conversational individuals Tags:
Freshmen talk: A break down on high school
Freshmen girls that met each other this year now sit everyday together at lunch.
School spirit deflates in popularity: Lets bring it back to everyday life
School spirit is my life, and it should be yours. School spirit doesn’t just mean going to Friday Night Lights or attending our DGS boys’ basketball games. It means participating in all aspects of DGS, getting involved in different activities and supporting each club or group. “ Participation can be many different things, such as raising your hand in class or moving around in P.E. class. It also means being engaged. Being engaged in our school is pushed to the side a lot, but why?
Klaeren finds his way to body positivity
Every teenager goes through the process of discovering who they are in high school. For senior Jonny Klaeren, it was learning to love his body. Klaeren started his weight loss journey in middle school when he realized he no longer had the ability to be confident in his body, so he decided it was time to make a change. This was harder than he thought it would be. “I started trying to go to the gym in seventh grade and different diet stuff.
Preview of the 2025 varsity boys basketball team
The varsity boys basketball talks about how they have been preparing for their upcoming season.
New additions at DGS
Categories: New Additions at DGS New digital scoreboard with sound system in stadium More additions to the stadium is the new digital scoreboard and sound system. The scoreboard’s size is 40 by 22. The sound systems and scoreboard estimated cost together was $500,000. “The [scoreboard] is huge and it's loud, very very loud. At football games it allows everyone to hear the music very clearly and be able to see the score and the clock well.
Garron putts his way to varsity
Categories: Freshman golfer Gabe Garron has been pulled up to play at the varsity level after making junior varsity. Garron has been playing golf since he was five years old with his dad. Garron is currently ranked 30th in the state for boys aged 14-15. “My dad got me into golf when I was around five. Ever since that first day out on the greens, the love I have for golf has just grown.
Phillips tumbles into the hearts of the cheerleading community
‘Coach Phillips. I mean, Addy.’ Senior cheerleader Addy Phillips has been on the varsity DGS cheerleading squad since her sophomore year. However, she has been coaching her past team [Downers Grove Panthers] for the past four years. Panthers helped create the love Phillips has for cheer and she wanted to share that with the girls she has and is now coaching.
Top 10 London tourist attractions
London is a huge tourist attraction in the United Kingdom. There are so many different options to choose from, it can be overwhelming. Well, I have been to London about 20 times and have basically been everywhere. These are my top 10 London attractions I have visited. #10: Boat Rides Boat rides are always a pretty sight, but it can get boring. The tours that London provides are located on the “Thames River” which passes many tourist attractions.
My Anger character fumed while watching “Inside Out 2”
Inside my mind while watching “Inside Out 2,” my anger character was livid. Overall, the film did a great job showing how young people change when they hit puberty. But, one of the new characters, Anxiety, made the movie annoying to even watch. Director, Kelsey Mann, had a goal of spreading awareness of having anxiety but it only made me HAVE anxiety while watching the film. The movie is based through the mind of the main character-Riley (Kensington Tallman).
Taylor heads to Appalachian State
For superstitious senior softball player Grace Taylor, an apple a day keeps her bad games away. The superstition seemed to work, as in early August of her senior year, Taylor committed to play Division I softball at Appalachian State University. “I committed to Appalachian State because I felt at home. I loved the fun and loving community the coaches and softball team shared. I also loved the breathtaking campus that I couldn’t stop thinking about,” Taylor said.
Varsity lacrosse wins against Minooka
Sophomore Evan Jeschke getting ready for the next play.
Athletes ‘get on the line’
“Get on the line” is an athlete’s worst nightmare. But for cross country, it’s their entire sport. Cross country by far is the hardest sport an athlete can participate in. Cross country is every other sports’ conditioning. The sport might not be sprinting, but it does entail running long distances fast for a long period of time. I know what you’re thinking, I must be out of my mind thinking that cross country is the hardest sport. I mean, if it’s so easy, then go run six miles everyday.
Season of cicadas is upon DGS
Cicadas are going to be buzzing around the southeast and midwest regions starting in mid-May. This will be the first time since 1803 that both groups of cicadas, Brood XIX and XIII will be out at the same time. This double emergence only happens every 221 years. Brood XIX is the largest distributed group of cicadas. The last time they came out was 13 years ago in 2011. The Brood XIII cicadas appear every 17 years. This event is called the “duel emergence” and will last till late June.
Matthew Lapacek makes a comeback to the wrestling ‘matt’
Two smarties and a gulp of honey before every match and practice is senior and captain wrestler Matthew Lapacek’s secret to placing fourth at the IHSA state wrestling tournament. After Lapacek’s win in the constellation semi-finals against Luke Chrisse from Yorkville, he carried on to place top four in the 190 lbs weight class.
Downers Grove feeder and club teams affect DGS and DGN
Downers Grove club teams and feeder programs are not very different from one another, until it comes to money. Downers Grove high schools share many club sports teams, for example, the Downers Grove Panthers, the Downers Grove Longshots and the Downers Grove Outlaws. They also share one feeder program, the Downers Grove Wrestling club, but DGN has their own basketball feeder program- the Wolfpack Basketball team.
DGS varsity boys basketball team’s last dance
The DGS varsity boys basketball team’s season came to an end last Wednesday night. The team fell 13 points short against Neuqua Valley at the IHSA Regional MatchUp game, ending their season, 37-50. DGS was down throughout the entire game except for their short-term lead in the beginning of the fourth quarter. Three-pointer shots were not in DGS’s favor last night. DGS senior guard Richard Gasmen was the only one to hit one.
Downers Grove feeder programs cause advantages in performances
Downers Grove high schools share many club sports teams, for example, the Downers Grove Panthers. They also share one feeder program, the Downers Grove Wrestling club, but DGN has created their own basketball feeder program, the Wolfpack Basketball team. The difference between club sports teams and feeder programs is that club teams represent a town but welcome other kids from other towns to be a part of the sports team, as an example: The Downers Grove Longshots.
Senior Vs. Staff basketball game
Senior and staff jumping for the ball to get the game started.
Spano spins through high school on Fillies
Senior Michelina Spano has twirled through the past five years of her life using the movements of dance. Spano is the co-captain of the DGS fillies team this year. She has been a member of the varsity team since her freshman year, after she had quit gymnastics. “I never danced when I was growing up; I was a gymnast, but when I was entering highschool I stopped gymnastics. I wanted to try something new and picked dance because my sister was a dancer her whole life.
DGS varsity girls basketball team stung a 44-29 win against the Hinsdale South Hornets
Tension filled the DGS gymnasium as the girls varsity basketball team (8-2) took on their arch rival Hinsdale South (8-2), in arguably the most important game of the year. Down 17-16 at halftime the Mustangs were seeming like they were in trouble. But DGS was able to go on a 21-point rally in the third quarter to take the win, 44-29 last Friday night. DGS came out of the 10-min halftime fired up as they were able to score 21 points in the third 37-26.
Boys varsity basketball swept Willowbrook 85-49
Even with the slippery floor of the basketball court it did not stop the DGS boys varsity basketball team from a 85-49 domination against Willowbrook last Friday. DGS junior guard Keon Maggitt was the first to put numbers on the scoreboard in the first quarter. The smooth layup got the game going after senior forward Justin Sveiteris won the jump ball against senior Willowbrook forward Andrew Ciesinski. “You just got to go get the basketball, that’s the biggest thing.
DGS slams ranked teams in annual tournament
This past weekend DGS hosted the annual Larry Gassen boys varsity wrestling tournament, hosting 20 different teams with 14 who are ranked in Illinois. DGS placed fourth overall going 3-2.
Boys varsity basketball wins against Hinsdale South
DGS varsity basketball team (5-1) buzzed through the media attention of Brendan Savage’s federal lawsuit to clutch a 81-56 win against rivals Hinsdale South last Friday night at home. “We kind of told our guys that this was an opportunity, there was going to be a lot of media, a lot of people watching. It was an opportunity to really just show off and just play who we are, and I felt like we did for those 32 minutes,” head varsity coach Zach Miller said.
The Klaeren clan: banding together
“Mom and dad” is not something students usually call their teachers at DGS, but for the Klaeren family, it’s an exception. The Klaeren can practically call DGS a second home to them, considering each family member is there everyday. The Klaeren family consists of math teacher Chris Klaeren, special services teacher Kathy Klaeren, junior Jonny Klaeren, freshman Danny Klaeren and freshman Eleni Klaeren.
Pay to Play: DGS distributes funds across sports teams
Sports are expensive, and it’s no secret that teams in high school use tax money to fund them. Football needs uniforms, helmets and equipment. Soccer receives soccer balls, uniforms and backpacks; tennis obtains tennis balls and swim requires the use of the DGS pool. However, there are many misconceptions on just how these teams receive tax money and exactly how much.
Football fans reveal best, worst parts of home games
Friday nights under the lights have brought many DGS students together throughout the years, even through the wins and the losses. Sophomore Jillian Myers is a big fan of the games and enjoys seeing the school come together. “It’s the only time you get to see everyone in one spot,” Myers said. The stadium bleachers have the capacity to fit 3,000 people on the home side and 750 on the visitor side.
Surprise release of EP ‘Boys Of Faith’ clears Zach Bryan’s name
On Sept. 22, Zach Bryan’s fans woke up to a surprise EP release consisting of five new songs. “Boys Of Faith – EP” has a more upbeat tone compared to his last album, “Zach Bryan,” that was released just a month prior. Out of the five songs, two of them feature another artist: Noah Kahan and Bon Iver. The first song on the list is “Nine Ball.” The song is mixed with the sounds of drums, electric guitars, violins, a harmonica and an acoustic guitar.
Boys varsity basketball loses against rivals Hinsdale South
After blood, sweat, tears and a ripped jersey, the DGS varsity boys basketball team had a tough loss to their rivals, the Hinsdale South Hornets on Jan. 27. DGS only made 29% of the baskets they shot; having them end the game with a 69-52 loss, making their record six wins and two losses in conference. “Lethargic, I didn’t feel like we as a coaching staff got them prepared enough.
Varsity basketball wins against Addison Trail
Starting guard Allison Jarvis led the DGS girl’s varsity basketball team to a victory 59-28 against the Addison Trail Blazers at DGS by making 21 of those 59 points on Saturday, Jan. 21: making their record 14 wins and 10 losses.
Multi-sport athlete balances life
Wake up, school, sport one, sport two, sport three, homework, bed and then repeat. For multiple DGS student athletes, that’s what their day typically looks like. The life of a three sport athlete is time consuming and mentally challenging, but for some, it all pays off. DGS head football coach Mark Molinari was a three sport student athlete himself. He played baseball, basketball and football through his years of high school.
Show More
loading
Actions
Is this you?
As a journalist, you can create a free Muck Rack account to customize your profile, list your contact preferences, and upload a portfolio of your best work.Get in touch with Kate
Contact Kate, search articles and posts on X, monitor coverage, and track replies from one place.
Learn more about Muck Rack