The student news site of Downers Grove South High School

Blueprint

Breaking News
  • March 18Spring Break starts 3/25
  • March 18An Evening of one Acts 3/21, 3/22 at 7:00 p.m.
  • March 18D99 Honors Vocal Recital hosted at DGN 3/19 at 7 p.m.
  • March 18ISA testing 3/19
  • March 18Respect Week hosted by Unified 3/18-3/22
  • March 11Unified Club Meeting 3/13 at 3:30 PM
  • March 11DECA meeting 3/15 at 7:45 AM
  • March 11Spanish Club Meeting 3/12 at 3:30 PM
  • March 7Student Voice Opportunity Mar.7 during access
  • March 4National Social Workers Week Mar.4-Mar.8
The student news site of Downers Grove South High School

Blueprint

The student news site of Downers Grove South High School

Blueprint

Paul Szmanda

Paul Szmanda, Online Co-Editor-in-Chief

Paul Szmanda is a senior at DGS and an Online Co-Editor-in-Chief of the Blueprint.  This is his second year on the official Blueprint staff, but he freelanced for the publication during his first two years in high school.  Szmanda is also a varsity member on the DGS Speech Team, the Secretary of Politics Club, and the founder of the new Supreme Court Club. In the spring, he runs sprints and hurdles on the Track & Field team.

In addition to English, Szmanda is fluent in Polish.  Szmanda has visited his family in Poland ten times, also visiting Auschwitz-Birkenau and hiking in the Tatra mountains with his uncle.

In his free time, Szmanda enjoys riding his bike, having a personal record of 100 miles in one day.  In addition he has a hobby of fishkeeping, tending to his two saltwater and freshwater aquaria. Szmanda also volunteers at the West Suburban Community Pantry on Saturdays.

Over the summer, Szmanda became employed at Benote Wimp’s State Farm Agency, where he is the Director of Claims, Media, & Information Distribution.

Szmanda is still deciding on colleges.  He wants to major in communications- and politics-related topics.

All content by Paul Szmanda
The government decides to determine who is and who isnt essential.

Sorry, but you’re non-essential

Paul Szmanda, Online Co-Editor-in-Chief
April 15, 2020
The Cadillac Three provide an album with an older mix of treble and bass.

‘COUNTRY FUZZ’ lacks buzz

Paul Szmanda, Online Co-Editor-in-Chief
February 12, 2020
Kesha should do more along the style of her work in Pitbulls Timber.

Kesha’s ‘High Road’ takes the low road

Paul Szmanda, Online Co-Editor-in-Chief
February 6, 2020
The first r has been thoughtfully colored to remind you of its existence.

February: Notice the first “r”?

Paul Szmanda, Online Co-Editor-in-Chief
February 3, 2020
This is the peaceful autumn scene to which I awoke earlier this week.

No, it’s not winter yet

Paul Szmanda, Online Co-Editor-in-Chief
December 19, 2019
Discover what is happening this week at Downers Grove South.

Weekly Preview: Week of Dec. 9

Paul Szmanda, Online Co-Editor-in-Chief
December 9, 2019
Discover what is happening this week at Downers Grove South.

Weekly Preview: Nov. 3-9

Paul Szmanda, Online Co-Editor-in-Chief
November 4, 2019
Every Friday, the bands of rock band class perform their weekly song for one another.

Student musicians jam out in new rock band class

Paul Szmanda, Online Co-Editor-in-Chief
November 1, 2019
From left to right: sophomore Alex Spang, senior Brenna Cohoon, sophomore Sophia McNerney, senior Erin Reidy, junior Rebecca Diddia, sophomore Kelsey Casella, and sophomore Renee Kowalski.

Girls cross country team takes first at regional meet

Paul Szmanda, Online Co-Editor-in-Chief
October 29, 2019
Its the week of Halloween! Discover whats happening at DGS in the last few days of the month.

Weekly Preview: Oct. 27

Paul Szmanda, Online Co-Editor-in-Chief
October 28, 2019
Freshman Jasmine Hawkins enjoys delivering coffee as part of the Mustang Mugs service.

Mustang Mugs delivers coffee and smiles

Paul Szmanda, Online Co-Editor-in-Chief
October 21, 2019
DGS football played York High School on Sept. 6 and won.

Get to know a DGS athlete

Paul Szmanda, Online Co-Editor-in-Chief
September 25, 2019
Homecoming king and queen Kevin Tate and Talia Davis wave to the crowd as the annual parade comes to an end.

Community marches in annual homecoming parade

Paul Szmanda, Online Co-Editor-in-Chief
September 23, 2019
Senior Max Hlavin jumps to spike the ball at the other team.

Volleyball Q&A with senior Max Hlavin

Paul Szmanda, Online Co-Editor-in-Chief
April 30, 2019
The school year is coming to an end and we all need a little bit of motivation to keep pushing.

Weekly Preview: Week of April 29

Paul Szmanda, Online Co-Editor-in-Chief
April 29, 2019
Senior Kirk Hoffman leads a discussion on the upcoming Energy Slam during a meeting of Earth Action Club.

Lesser known clubs find their purpose

Paul Szmanda, Online Co-Editor-in-Chief
April 8, 2019
Kelly Jankowski assassinated Scott Pape with her Nerf gun while leaving her car.

Senior assassins reboots before break

Paul Szmanda, Online Co-Editor-in-Chief
March 22, 2019
(Right) Junior Johnathon Leatherwood competes at the State Chess Tournament in Peoria, Ill.

DGS Chess competes at state tournament

Paul Szmanda, Online Co-Editor-in-Chief
February 19, 2019
Freshman Sara Mekhail.

Freshman Friday: Sara Mekhail

Paul Szmanda, Online Co-Editor-in-Chief
January 4, 2019
Freshmen Lauren and Peyton Norkus with their little sister.

Two of a kind

Paul Szmanda, Online Co-Editor-in-Chief
December 11, 2018
A standard bandage on a standard paper cut.

No phone call, no relief

Paul Szmanda, Online Co-Editor-in-Chief
November 30, 2018
The school year is coming to an end and we all need a little bit of motivation to keep pushing.

Weekly Preview Nov. 26-30

Paul Szmanda, Online Co-Editor-in-Chief
November 27, 2018
A stranger knocks on a classroom door.

ALICE arrives at DGS

Paul Szmanda, Online Co-Editor-in-Chief
November 24, 2018
A typical DGS Monday.

Weekly Preview: Oct. 15 – Oct. 22

Paul Szmanda, Online Co-Editor-in-Chief
October 15, 2018
US Congressman Peter Roskam talk to students in the school library.

Roskam Visits AP Government Classes

Paul Szmanda, Online Co-Editor-in-Chief
October 4, 2018
A sirloin steak with a side of mashed potatoes and shrimp.

3 Corners, 4 stars

Paul Szmanda, Online Co-Editor-in-Chief
September 17, 2018
District 99s new French teacher, Madame Reuillon.

Say bonjour a Madame Reuillon

Paul Szmanda, Online Co-Editor-in-Chief
September 11, 2018
Q & A with Lindsay Morton

Q & A with Lindsay Morton

Paul Szmanda, Freelance Writer
September 26, 2017
A text-marking tragedy

A text-marking tragedy

Paul Szmanda, Freelance Writer
September 26, 2017
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