The student news site of Downers Grove South High School

Blueprint
Breaking News
  • April 15Musical at DGS on April 18, 19, & 20th
  • April 15DGS Principal-Parent Partnership on April 17
  • April 15Culture Week Food Trucks on April 16
  • April 8Mustang Trot on April 14
  • April 8Bilingual Family Dinner Dance from 6-8 p.m. on April 11
  • April 8FCCLA state on April 11-12
  • April 8Non-attendance day for freshmen, sophomores and seniors on April 11
  • April 8Juniors take the SAT; attend 8:20 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. on April 11
  • April 8Non-attendance day for juniors and seniors on April 10
  • April 8Freshmen and sophomores take PSAT; attend 8:20-11:35 a.m. on April 10
The student news site of Downers Grove South High School

Blueprint
The student news site of Downers Grove South High School

Blueprint
Emma Fudacz

Emma Fudacz, Editor-in-Chief

Senior Emma Fudacz is an Editor-in-Chief for the DGS Blueprint, and this is her second year on the staff. Fudacz is a French tutor, a lifeguard, a member of NHS, French NHS and an honor roll student. Fudacz is also involved in Girl Scouts and Boy Scouts and received her Eagle Scout award in February 2021.

During her sophomore year, Fudacz took Journalistic Expression which ignited her love for journalism and storytelling. Fudacz was on the 2021 and 2022 Journalism IHSA Sectionals team. In 2022, Fudacz was one of 13 Illinois students selected to be on the IJEA All-State Journalism team.

As a managing editor for the Blueprint, Fudacz helped build the school Journalism club, and has published over 60 articles from student freelancers.

Fudacz’s other hobbies include hiking, reading, playing piano, hanging out with friends and volunteering. She also has an avid interest in traveling and has a bucket list a mile long. You will most likely find Fudacz with her nose in a book or daydreaming about places she’d like to visit.

All content by Emma Fudacz
Logan is excited for the new possibilities in college, but is also worried about being unprepared for the real world.

Senior Hannah Logan reflects on time at DGS, preparation for future

Emma Fudacz, Editor-in-Chief
July 10, 2023
Elements are all around, so be sure you use your horoscope to see which is lucky.

Incorporate these elements into your week according to your horoscope

Ava Lafin and Emma Fudacz
June 13, 2023
Messmer was taken into custody at Darien Police Department on April 26.

Track coach Glenn Messmer arrested on child pornography charges

Emma Fudacz, Ava Lafin, TeKavin Russell, and Gabriel Gowen
May 9, 2023
Andersons Bookshop in Downers Grove proudly displays books that have been censored in the past.

Banned books: A look into literary censorship in the 21st century

Emma Fudacz, Editor-in-Chief
May 3, 2023

Therapy dogs return for students

Emma Fudacz, Isabella Shin, and Megan Fox
April 4, 2023
Mary Long and Luke Gosewisch are previous students who now work at DGS.

Blast from the past: DGS Alumni returns as staff

Maya Homberg, Emma Fudacz, Marty Blader, Isabella Shin, and Lauren Miranda
March 10, 2023
South hires former students

South hires former students

Emma Fudacz, Editor-in-Chief
March 10, 2023
Phil Culcasi will move to his new office in the math department at the start of the 2023-24 school year.

DGS Math Department welcomes Phil Culcasi

Emma Fudacz, Editor-in-Chief
March 9, 2023

Computer art classes broaden horizons of visual art

Megan Fox, Emma Fudacz, and Isabella Shin
March 8, 2023
In most cases, concerts create a sense of community and enjoyment within individuals. However, consumers are currently finding themselves frustrated with the current state of live entertainment.

The show must go on: Concerts shape live entertainment culture

Isabella Shin, Lauren Miranda, Taylor Neal, Amanda Despres, Emma Fudacz, and Abigail Culcasi
January 27, 2023
Students enjoy the props used at the 2020 Winter Formal photo booth. This years dance will be on Saturday Feb. 25.

Winter dance makes comeback

Emma Fudacz, Editor-in-Chief
January 27, 2023
Hallmark advertised The Holiday Sitter well before it came out.

[Photo] Hallmark Movie Channel introduces first ever gay couple

Marty Blader, Sports Editor
January 25, 2023
Junior Nahla Mokkath promotes DECA to an incoming freshman. DGS held Future Mustang Night on Jan. 23 to give the incoming freshman a look into student life. Mokkath was one of many students who helped to promote the activities that they participate in.

Class of 2027 gets taste of student life at orientation

Emma Fudacz, Editor-in-Chief
January 25, 2023

World Language Week celebrates diversity among student body

Abigail Culcasi and Emma Fudacz
January 11, 2023
AP Language teacher Nicole Proimos instructs junior Lorelei Hengst on an honors English project.

New honors law aims to help students

Emma Fudacz, Editor-in-Chief
December 11, 2022
Krooze sells shirts and hoodies with a custom logo printed onto them.

Students deck the halls with self-run clothing businesses

Emma Fudacz, Editor-in-Chief
November 21, 2022
Students buy beverages from the vending machine to fuel their caffeine addiction.

Dangers of trendy energy drinks and coffee: Teens guilty of caffeine overload

Emma Fudacz, Editor-in-Chief
October 31, 2022
Teens can fall victim to bad habits. Some of these explored in this article include phone dependency, lack of sleep and caffeine addiction.

Teenage Traps

Emma Fudacz, Maya Homberg, Isabella Shin, Gabriel Gowen, Amanda Despres, NB Bandera, and Abigail Culcasi
October 31, 2022
Fans who started liking Swift during her moody “folklore” and “evermore” eras may not be fans of her return to pop, but fans who have been around for a while can appreciate Swift’s return to her most successful genre.

Taylor Swift returns to signature style with ‘Midnights’

Emma Fudacz, Editor-in-Chief
October 26, 2022
The wide range of opinions voiced during the public comments section seemed to be equally split between criticism and support.

Downers Grove Public Library faces additional feedback on Drag Queen Bingo Event

Emma Fudacz, Editor-in-Chief
October 5, 2022
The Superfans came out to support the DGS football team. The final score was 28-13.

[Photo] Superfans support winning football team

September 27, 2022
The Downers Grove Public Library displays a sign that says Books Unite Us in support of the canceled Drag Queen Bingo event.

Downers Grove Public Library cancels Drag Queen Bingo over violent threats

Emma Fudacz, Editor-in-Chief
September 20, 2022
For $20, any fan was able to buy a virtual ticket to a Lumineers live stream through a streaming service called Mandolin.

The Lumineers broadens concert audience with virtual option

Emma Fudacz, Editor-in-Chief
September 13, 2022
The Mustangs ended up losing the game with a final score of 7-27.

DGS varsity football loses to DGN

Emma Fudacz, Editor-in-Chief
September 12, 2022
Students will now have to synchronously check in with all of their teachers at the time at which that class would normally begin.

District 99 instates new snow day policy

Emma Fudacz, Editor-in-Chief
August 17, 2022
One of the most important lessons for myself and any high schooler to learn is that it’s okay to still be a kid, and the best thing you can do for yourself senior year is to spend time doing things that make you happy.

My goal for senior year

Emma Fudacz, Managing Editor
May 17, 2022
The Future Medical Professionals of DGS club is a student run club for those interested in the medical industry.

DGS welcomes new student medical club

Emma Fudacz, Managing Editor
April 7, 2022

March 2022

Anika Brown, Kassem Ossman, Gwendolynne Royle, Emma Fudacz, Owen Atseff, Sydney Richardson, Samantha Bachara, Faith Nelson, Michael Piotrowski, Casey Muzykansky, Abigail Culcasi, Nora Joy, Sally Lichner, Ema Paskevicius, Savanna Martinez, Claire Valenti, Jake Hahn, Kristin Weidner, Annie Metherd, Allison Scherquist, Lily Myszak, Abigail Durkin, and Ava Lafin
March 24, 2022

Lady Mustang Micro-Influencers

Emma Fudacz, Managing Editor
March 16, 2022
If you think I’m being too harsh, then ask yourself where your morals lie.

[Photo] NFL superstar loses $11 million over $1,500 bet

Caden Sexton, Freelance Writer
March 15, 2022

February 2022

Anika Brown, Kassem Ossman, Gwendolynne Royle, Owen Atseff, Sydney Richardson, Samantha Bachara, Michael Piotrowski, Emma Fudacz, Faith Nelson, Ema Paskevicius, Sally Lichner, Nora Joy, Abigail Culcasi, Casey Muzykansky, Annie Metherd, Kristin Weidner, Claire Valenti, Savanna Martinez, Jake Hahn, Abigail Durkin, Ava Lafin, and Allison Scherquist
February 25, 2022
Starting on Monday, Feb. 28, DGS students will have the option to not wear a mask to school for the first time in two years.

District 99 goes mask optional Feb. 28

Emma Fudacz, Managing Editor
February 25, 2022
Science teacher Brian Fudacz has been water skiing since he was eight years old.

[Photo] DGS engages in unique sports

Claire Valenti, Sports Editor
February 28, 2022
District 99 will move to a mask optional policy on Feb. 28.

DGS moves to mask optional policy Feb. 28

Emma Fudacz and Michael Piotrowski
February 15, 2022
One aspect of this debate is the significance of labels when it comes to sexuality and gender within the LGBTQ+ community.

Discourse over LGBTQ+ labels

Emma Fudacz, Managing Editor
February 4, 2022
According to some students and teachers of color, DGS is not doing enough to celebrate and reflect the diversity of the student population.

DGS drops the ball on Black History Month

Emma Fudacz, Managing Editor
February 3, 2022
On Jan. 31, DGS initiated a shelter-in-place to investigate a potential danger to school safety; it was determined that there was no threat present.

DGS initiates a shelter-in-place to investigate a potential threat

Emma Fudacz, Managing Editor
February 1, 2022

January 2022

Anika Brown, Kassem Ossman, Gwendolynne Royle, Emma Fudacz, Nora Joy, Abigail Durkin, Ava Lafin, Sydney Richardson, Faith Nelson, Sally Lichner, Annie Metherd, Michael Piotrowski, Claire Valenti, Jake Hahn, Casey Muzykansky, Allison Scherquist, Ema Paskevicius, Savanna Martinez, Abigail Culcasi, Lily Myszak, Kristin Weidner, Owen Atseff, and Samantha Bachara
January 24, 2022
Arwen Pokorny-Lyp is the current principal at Hinsdale South High School. She will be the new principal in 2022.

DGS welcomes first female principal

Emma Fudacz and Gwendolynne Royle
January 21, 2022
On Thursday, Dec 9, the Fine Arts Department held its annual holiday concert.

The fine arts department changes the key on the holiday concert

Emma Fudacz, Managing Editor
December 15, 2021

November 2021

Anika Brown, Kassem Ossman, Gwendolynne Royle, Emma Fudacz, Lily Myszak, Nora Joy, Ava Lafin, Abigail Durkin, Sydney Richardson, Faith Nelson, Sally Lichner, Annie Metherd, Michael Piotrowski, Claire Valenti, Jake Hahn, Casey Muzykansky, Allison Scherquist, Ema Paskevicius, Savanna Martinez, Abigail Culcasi, Kristin Weidner, Owen Atseff, Samantha Bachara, Emily Mordaunt, and Justin Muller
December 1, 2021
As one of the biggest franchises in the world, opinions on the best Marvel movies tend to differ and spark heated debates. Here are my top 10 favorite Marvel movies/shows.

My top 10 Marvel movies/shows

Emma Fudacz, Managing Editor
November 29, 2021
My love for Taylor Swift and her music is burning red.

Taylor Swift mesmerizes fans with new songs ‘From The Vault’

Emma Fudacz, Managing Editor
November 22, 2021
One of Newsomes favorite mediums to use is colored pencil, and she loves to draw cartoons and animals.

Alexi Newsome draws the plans for her future

Emma Fudacz, Managing Editor
November 18, 2021
A few ways to combat burnout as a student are by catching up on sleep, taking a break from screens and focusing on one assignment at a time.

The end of the semester stokes the flames of student burnout

Emma Fudacz, Managing Editor
November 11, 2021
The Marching Mustangs have spent over three months perfecting their show, entitled “The Arena”.

The Marching Mustangs compete at the Illinois State Marching Band Championship

Emma Fudacz, Managing Editor
October 25, 2021

October 2021

Anika Brown, Kassem Ossman, Gwendolynne Royle, Emma Fudacz, Lily Myszak, Justin Muller, Nora Joy, Ava Lafin, Abigail Durkin, Sydney Richardson, Faith Nelson, Sally Lichner, Annie Metherd, Michael Piotrowski, Claire Valenti, Jake Hahn, Casey Muzykansky, Allison Scherquist, Ema Paskevicius, Savanna Martinez, Abigail Culcasi, Kristin Weidner, Emily Mordaunt, Owen Atseff, and Samantha Bachara
October 20, 2021
At Downers Grove South, students have six absences where they don’t have to provide a doctor’s note; they can just be called out. Any time a student is absent, they can make up their work,”DGS Counselor Jenny Franz said.

Illinois to institute mental health days for students

Emma Fudacz, Managing Editor
October 19, 2021
Here are the top five Halloween costumes for this year.

[Photo] Top five Halloween costumes this year

Mikaela Cresse, Freelance Writer
October 20, 2021
I did it; I pulled the plug and deleted TikTok, and it was super hard.

Why I deleted TikTok

Emma Fudacz, Managing Editor
September 30, 2021
As a member of Boy Scouts myself, I have firsthand experience as to what its like to be a girl in Boy Scouts.

Girls in Boy Scouts?

Emma Fudacz, Freelance Writer
April 29, 2021
This author finds the queerbaiting in the Bridgerton trailer to be the biggest scandal this season.

The Scandal of the season: ‘Bridgerton’s’ queerbaiting

Emma Fudacz, Freelance Writer
March 3, 2021

Aspire to inspire

Emma Fudacz, Freelance Writer
February 22, 2021
What is it about the absence of two pieces of fabric that makes the wearer “unstable?”

Bring back kindness

Emma Fudacz, Freelance Writer
December 18, 2020
Metherd, bottom right, in the crowd of the Greta Van Fleet concert, enjoying the music while meeting new people.

Annie Metherd’s perspective-changing revelation on concerts

Emma Fudacz, Freelancer Writer
October 23, 2020
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Blueprint
Blueprint
Downers Grove South High School
1436 Norfolk St.
Downers Grove, IL 60516
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