Brody Peyton
Brody Peyton is a sophomore who describes himself as a sociable and creative person. Peyton has a huge passion for writing and wants to do journalism in college. He wants to use his writing to help other people and enjoys writing about social justice issues, such as women’s and disability rights.
Outside of writing, Peyton loves to play video games and go to band class. Besides journalism, he would like to engage in aerospace/robotic engineering in college. His ideal future is one in which he has an enjoyable career, great friends to be around, and achieving his goal of becoming a successful author.
Eisla Madigan
Eisla Madigan (b. May 2, 2006, Springfield, IL) was two when she moved to Urbana. At the age of five she followed in the footsteps of her older sisters and picked up tennis, one of her favorite hobbies. Tennis shows the strength people might not always assume she has but when they see her play they realize just how wrong they are.
When Madigan isn’t at school or playing tennis, she can be found on instagram (@eislamad) and other social media platforms, working towards her goal of Ms. America and one day Ms. Universe. She believes it is incredibly powerful to use beauty to gain an education through a scholarship, which she plans to use to major in business and minor in fashion in college.
Right now, however, she still has two more years of high school and is trying to do a lot in those years. She is currently involved in both theater and a cappella. Her interest in journalism was sparked by her love for telling stories.
Eisla Madigan is a performer, athlete, student, and a junior here at Urbana High School. To sum it up in her own words, “I’m hot, Period.”
Rayvon Fisher
Rayvon Fisher was born in Decatur, Illinois on August 2, 2007 and moved to Urbana in 2nd grade. He has a huge interest in sports and does football and wrestling. Contact sports seem to be his thing because he likes sports that are “physical.”
He joined journalism to try out some new things. When he’s not at school or practice, you can find him driving around with the windows down.
After high school, he wants to become a truck driver to fulfill his dream of “making cash” and just driving around.
Rebecca Headley
Rebecca Headley (born in Champaign-Urbana on July 28th 2005) Her hobbies consist of the research of outer space, astronomy, and astrology; she also has a knack of knowledge for Greek mythology.
Her favorite season of the year is fall, just in time for Halloween, which she adores so much. The general aesthetic of the holiday makes her happy.
She likes plants and the thought of them gives her peace. She has a fear of elevators and loves to eat sushi. She likes to read and write. She hones her creativity from it, which is why she wants to be a professional photographer in her future.
While being a senior in high school, she’s still trying to find her mark in the world and just live to the fullest, but for right now, she’ll see where the world takes her on her journey in life .
Ruby Pittenger
Ruby Pittenger was born in the Chicago area and moved to Urbana in the second grade. Pittenger went to Urbana Middle School for 6th and 7th grade and Campus Middle School for Girls for 8th.
Now, she is a freshman at Urbana High School and is focusing on herself primarily. Pittenger, though not an antisocial person, has no problem being alone as she is fairly independent. She enjoys music, thrifting/shopping, and watching movies or series (especially Gilmore Girls).
She joined the UHS Echo because she has always had an interest in reading and says she “sees a future for herself in literature,” which she will begin building upon here at the Echo.
Maddy Posey
Maddy Posey was born in Paris, IL on December 18, 2007. She moved to Urbana in October 2021 and appreciates the differences between the two locations, including more electives at school and more diversity in the student body.
Posey loves playing tennis in her free time. She also likes hanging out with her friends. And if you can’t tell from her photo, her favorite color is pink.
When high school is over, she wants to advance from a student to a teacher and work in kindergarten. Until then, she will be continuing her high school career writing for the Echo.
Sakari Wright
Sakari Wright was born on September 5th of 2005 and is a junior in high school. On the surface she is a cheerful and social person, but underneath the surface lies a girl molded by perseverance through extreme hardships and uncomfortable situations. Despite all the difficulty she has faced, she is rarely seen without a smile. She is still looking for new ways to express herself in the world and ways to complete her personal mission.
Wright doesn’t know exactly what career she is going to pursue but she knows it will be rooted in helping people. From Nursing, to Lawyer, to working at the mall, she is a firm believer in helping to benefit others.
Being the “people person” she is, you can see how it makes sense that she has a large close family and 10 siblings! She believes that siblings don’t have to be blood and that her bonds are very important to her.
Wright wants to go to an HBCU (historically black college or University) and have a “full black woman experience,” which goes to show she is passionate in most things she does.
She is a very mentally strong person and is unapologetic when it comes to being herself.
Santiago Gonzalez Ahuerma
Santiago Gonzalez Ahuerma is a creative and adventurous senior at Urbana High School. He started out his school career at Yankee Ridge, followed by Urbana Middle School. Something fun about Gonzalez Ahuerma is, he is fluent in Spanish and was born in Mexico. Someone he’s most inspired by is his mom for her strength and perseverance during his childhood.
In his free time, he enjoys watching sports, listening to music, and collecting vinyls. He prioritizes being outside in nature over being trapped indoors. His future plans include attending Parkland College with an open mind. Until then he will continue to write stories for The Echo.
Tyler Marcum
Tyler Marcum was born in Alexander, Virginia and moved to Guinea at around 8 years old. It was there where he discovered his love of sports.
Marcum enjoys spending his free time singing, writing music, and writing poetry. Marcum does almost every sport including, basketball, soccer, football, baseball, volleyball, hockey, boxing, tennis, gymnastics, track and field, diving, and archery. At UHS, he competes in basketball, track and soccer.
Marcum recently joined The Echo because he thought it would be an exciting opportunity. As a senior, he thought now was the time to try it. Marcum will continue that brave spirit by being a stunt double during life after high school.
Satya Dominguez Hultgren
Satya Dominguez Hultgren is a freshman (age 14) at Urbana High School. She was born in Salt Lake City, Utah on Oct. 31, 2007. She moved to Urbana Aug. 2022. She has one older brother and a dog named Percy (@hava_percy_puppy).
Dominguez Hultgren started dancing and performing at age 7, she is skilled in silks, trapeze, lyra, and ballet. She was in the Youth dance ensemble at Aerial Dance Chicago and at Aloft Circus Arts. When asked what she loves about dance Dominguez Hultgren said, You’re Not perfect but you’re always striving for it. And I love being in the air.
Dominguez Hultgren absolutely loves to write… but pretty much hates science. She won young authors in 8th grade. She loves to write and wants to explore a new way to do so. Dominguez Hultgren wants to learn how to write something with substance… “not just crazy figurative language teachers like.”
Satya Dominguez Hultgren is a dancer, writer, activist, student, and performer. Or as she would say, “I’m smart. Period.”
