Ella Staton
Editor-in-Chief
Ella Staton, a junior, returns to newspaper for her second year, newly been assigned the role of editor-in-chief. Her love for the group stems from her interest in writing, an activity she hopes to continue for years to come. A couple of photography classes taken in the past have also helped her to succeed in newspaper. But Ella isn’t only a proficient member on The Echo’s staff; Ella also participates in cross country, where she continues to act as a role model for her peers as a varsity athlete. Outside of school activities, she enjoys watching “The Summer I Turned Pretty.”
Sunny Smyth
Design Editor
Sunny Smyth is a senior who is excited for her third year on staff and her second year as a design editor. Sunny is an active member of many other groups outside of the school newspaper. She is the stage manager for the theater department, and she is the president of the National Art Honors Society. She plans to grow her love of art by studying illustration at BYU. When she isn’t illustrating online for our school newspaper, she spends her time painting and watching movies like Thunderbolts. Sunny will shine through the newspaper during her senior year, just as she did when she starred in a home remodeling commercial when she was just 6 years old.
Grace Otey
Managing Editor
Grace Otey, a junior, joined The Echo as a sophomore. In her free time, she enjoys reading and volunteering at HVAF (Helping Veterans and Families). Here at the high school, she takes part in a multitude of clubs and activities. Grace is vice president of the theater troupe, is on the orchestra leadership team, is a managing editor for the newspaper, is a speech and debate co-captain, and participates in both ASCAP and AIM. Back at home when she can finally catch a break, you’ll most likely find her spending time with her two dogs, Jack and Bella. After high school, Grace plans on going to college out of state and majoring in political science and business to eventually become a civil rights lawyer.
Miryam Starr
Managing Editor
Miryam Starr, a junior, is entering her second year on staff as a managing editor. Outside of the newspaper room, Starr is an avid viola player in the Symphony Orchestra. While orchestra is her favorite class, newspaper is a close second. Even though Starr doesn’t know what she wants to do after college, she knows she definitely wants to avoid any and all forms of mechanics. If you’re ever looking for Starr, just check out Culver’s where she spends her nights with her friends. She asks that no one attempts this. When not at Culver’s, she’s drawing or doting upon her cats. She is an honorary blonde.
Nikola Meissner
Managing Editor
Nikola Meissner is a senior currently in her second year on The Echo. Meissner is one of four managing editors for The Echo this year. Outside of newspaper, she participates in FCCLA, NHSDA, DECA, and is a member of NHS. She also works at the YMCA, teaching swimming lessons and lifeguarding. Meissner also dances competitively at Infinity Dance Academy and has been dancing for 16 years. After graduation, she wants to go into elementary education at either Purdue or Ball State next year. Her fun fact? She can do the worm both forwards and backwards.
Lauren Klein
Managing Editor
Lauren Klein, a senior, enters her second year on staff as a Managing Editor for The Echo. When she isn’t writing a riveting report, Klein is jumping rope with the Avon Aeriel Orioles, broadcasting with Avon TV, or participating with the school’s Christians in Action club. After high school, Klein intends to go to either Ball State University or Butler University to major in Journalism with a minor in Marketing. In her free time, she plays guitar, crotchets, or just listens to music for fun. Her favorite shows are Ted Lasso and Shrinking. Her fun fact is that she has competed for jump rope nationally.
Gage Armstrong
Reporter
Gage Armstrong is entering his junior year and his second year on The Echo staff. His friends describe him as a big personality, lovable guy, with an interesting, but still funny, sense of humor. Armstrong fell in love with newspaper last year because it lets him express his love for writing and creative freedom. Over the summer, Armstrong went on a family trip to Destin, Florida but when he isn’t writing for The Echo or exploring the beaches of Florida, Armstrong enjoys watching movies such as Perfect Blue and Perks of Being a Wallflower. Aside from movies, Armstrong also regularly goes to shows and loves hanging out with his friends.
Jordan Anderson
Reporter
Jordan Anderson is a junior and joined The Echo last year making this year her second year in newspaper. She joined The Echo because she enjoys writing and will do anything with writing or journalism involved. She isn’t involved in any other clubs but will do anything that takes creativity. When she’s not busy, she’ll take time relaxing by watching Dexter, Lucifer, or Greg’s Anatomy. However, when she is busy, she’s learning how to tattoo, do nails, or play some music. Even though these are things she enjoys, they are not what she wants to do after Highschool. She wants to go into the medical field but specifically as a nurse practitioner.
Simon Klinck
Reporter
Simon Klinck, a junior at AHS, takes on his second (ish) year on staff. Klinck is looking forward to hanging out with his friends this school year and just goofing off with his classmates, despite not really knowing too much about Newspaper in the first place. When this whimsical ball of joy isn’t at school, he’s either on a bike ride with his friends or playing baritone in the marching band or overall making a fool of himself. It’s all sunshine and rainbows for Mr. Klinck, and those tinted rose glasses of his aren’t coming off any time soon.
Luke Stafford
Reporter
Senior Luke Stafford has been heavily involved in the media programs at Avon for most of his high school career. After a last-minute switch to journalism his freshman year, he decided that journalism was a major possibility for a future he would want to pursue. On his third year of yearbook and second year of newspaper, he is ready to continue his journalism education in college. Though it is a career pursuit, his favorite part of the media classes are his fellow journalists. “When I first came to high school, I had no clue what I wanted to do in the future,” Stafford said. “However, the journalism classes at Avon have helped me build confidence for my future career.”
Zoe Smyth
Reporter
As senior Zoe Smyth wrapped up her junior year and the time for senior scheduling came, she decided to rejoin Newspaper after a year’s gap. Smyth is involved in multiple out-of-school activities such as tennis, Quill & Scroll, and her evening job. However, she has found a particular interest in the journalism classes offered here at Avon. She is a member of bother Yearbook and Newspaper and is working to increase her skills as a writer. Though journalism is not what she plans to do after high school, she still acknowledges it as a steppingstone towards her future. “I plan on majoring in zoology at BYU and then doing a dental program through the military, but I am glad that journalism was part of the way.”
Evan Rausch
Reporter
Evan Rausch is a lively senior, who is starting his second year on the newspaper staff. He loves to show his creativity through expressive writing and creative thinking. When he is not busy with school and Area 31’s dental program, he is working at Bibibop, or listening to his favorite art form… music. You may also find Evan binge watching his favorite tv series “Avatar the Last Airbender” or engrossed in a new watercolor art piece. When Evan is not having fun with friends or collecting Pusheen, he is focused on applying to IU Indy and majoring in dentistry to become an orthodontist.
Isabelle Corn
Reporter
Isabelle Corn, a sophomore, recently joined The Echo this year because of her love for Journalism and hopes to one day be a Speech Language Pathologist. Isabelle occupies herself with reading, writing, and watching her favorite TV shows. At home, Isabelle surrounds herself with sitcoms and “Outlander”. Isabelle is a member of the Tennis team, making her an athlete that wishes to make it into the varsity level. She also wants to be an author and has spent months writing a murder mystery novel. She is always listening to music, especially Noah Kahan. She also enjoys baking and collecting records. Fun fact about her? Isabelle plays the electric guitar and her favorite piece to play is the Bohemian Rhapsody guitar solo.
Lucia Imel
Reporter
Lucia Imel, a sophomore, has been a member of the community for five years after her previous attendance at a private catholic school. Imel enjoys playing golf for school, working, babysitting her nephew, and spending time with family and friends. When she has free time, Imel loves to watch her favorite show, Gilmore Girls. She describes herself as a kind and old soul who loves to talk to new people. Imel joined The Echo this year after Mr. Caulton suggested it, and she found the idea appealing, considering she enjoys writing, talking, and understanding people’s individual stories.
Sav Bray
Reporter
Sav Bray, a sophomore at Avon High School, is experiencing her first year on The Echo staff. She joined the staff because she wants to go to college to major in Journalism. In her free time, she writes, video edits, or makes music. You can find her as an officer in GSA, which she was in last year. She watches Yellowjacket and has been following the series for a while. She also watches Love Island once in a while. She doesn’t play too many games, but when she does, she’ll play the mobile game Roblox and has a lot of fun with it.
Sofie Westdyke
Reporter
Sofie Westdyke, a sophomore, joined The Echo this year because she loves to write and wants to pursue a career in journalism. She plays violin in the Sinfonia orchestra, but her favorite hobby is writing. She’s currently in the process of editing her first book and writing the sequel. When she’s not writing like she’s running out of time, you’ll find her reading fantasy books and watching The Vampire Diaries. Her favorite book series is Shatter Me by Tahereh Mafi, and she’s really looking forward to the movie adaptation being made. And as for the Vampire Diaries? She’s team Stefan.
Liam Green
Reporter
Liam Green, a sophomore, has joined The Echo this year as his first year because he thoroughly enjoys interviewing people, and he wants to be a part of a community. This year he is in theatre working in the tech department while also acting in the shows. Green is also a member of the Dungeons and Dragons club, along with looking to join more clubs throughout this year. Green is looking forward to majoring in Theatre Education after he finishes high school so that he can teach theatre at a school level. In his free time, he will most likely be playing card, board, or video games. Green has even gone to Atlanta, Georgia to compete in a tournament for the League of Legends card game titled Riftbound. Green’s favorite TV show is the show “Arcane” on Netflix, and he cannot pick a favorite video game because he plays so many in his free time.
Bill Caulton
Adviser
Bill Caulton teaches English and Journalism at Avon High School and advises the school newspaper, The Echo. When he’s not editing news stories, you can find him playing chess or pickleball, watching Premier League soccer, or training to someday be a ninja warrior. He’s not a spy.
Arianna Adkins
Reporter
Arianna Adkins is a sophomore, and it is her first year on staff. While Arianna is not at school, she is probably sewing, doing nails, or hair. In her downtime she likes to watch shows such as Criminal Minds and Bob’s Burgers and while she wouldn’t necessarily sit down and watch Dancing with the Stars, it’s still pretty cool that she got the opportunity to meet a Star. Adkins is taking advantage of the number of clubs in Avon and joined BSU and Interact. Her passion for expression shows her interest in fashion and design and one day she hopes to be able to truly put her mark on the world as a journalist.
THE ECHO 