2020-2021 Staff

Sam McGrath
Business Manager
Sam McGrath is currently a high school senior at Pleasant Valley High School and plans to major in business at Iowa State University. In his free time, Sam volunteers at St. John Vianney, enjoys playing in the Pleasant Valley ...

Kelly Brewer
Social Media Manager
Kelly Brewer, a senior at Pleasant Valley Highschool is the Social Media Manager for The Spartan Shield Online. Brewer moved around the country frequently as a child, but lastly from Kentucky with her family after her parents to...

Ani Pradeep
News Editor
Ani Pradeep is currently a Senior in high school and plans to study medicine at an undecided college. While being very invested in his studies, Ani also expands his musical skills with his clarinet year round. He made the Iowa Al...

Akash Pradeep
Feature Editor
Akash Pradeep is currently a senior in high school and will serve as the Feature Editor for the Spartan Shield Online. Akash has an older sister who recently graduated college and a twin brother, Ani. Akash is a proud member of...

Jonathan Sulgrove
Opinion Editor
Pleasant Valley High School senior Jonathan Sulgrove holds the position of Opinion Editor for the Spartan Shield this year. Sulgrove loves all things technology. This is reflected by his big plans for college including double ma...

Lily Barrett
Student Life Editor
Lily Barrett, 17, was born and raised in the Quad Cities. She is currently a senior at Pleasant Valley High School and the student life editor for The Spartan Shield. Her favorite school events to visit are baseball games and...

Michael VanDerSchaaf
Sports Editor
Michael VanDerSchaaf is currently a senior at Pleasant Valley High School where he is a big part of Spartan pride. Michael is a big fan of sports, being a fan of the Green Bay Packers and the Chicago Cubs. He also enjoys fishing, g...

Jonathan Glaum
Multimedia Manager
Senior Jonathan Glaum, the Spartan Shield’s online multimedia manager is dedicated to two worlds. Music and technology. He has devoted 6 years to trombone and 13 years to piano. When he is investing his time into his church, he pl...

Azzy Brown
Copy Editor
Senior Azzy Brown is a Copy Editor for The Spartan Shield this semester. Aside from her work on The Shield, Azzy spends her time working at Chick-Fil-A, jamming out on her alto sax in band, attending Astronomy Club on Thursdays, ge...

Elizabeth Pischke
Copy Editor
Elizabeth Pischke is an involved senior at Pleasant Valley High school, and serves as a copy editor for the Spartan Shield. At school, Pischke is a member of the Arts, participating in the school band playing the clarinet, and ...

Nathan VanUtrecht
Copy Editor
Nathan VanUtrecht is currently a senior at Pleasant Valley High School, where he is very active in after school activities. He is a member of the robotics team where he is the team leader, a member of the tennis team and the astr...

Grace Pender
Copy Editor
Grace Pender is a senior at Pleasant Valley High School who is serving as a Copy Editor for the Spartan Shield. After high school, Pender plans to pursue a degree in Political Science on a Pre-Law track at Drake University. In h...

Corea Conner
Photo Manager
My name is Corea Conner and I’m one of the photo managers for the Spartan Shield Online. I have 5 siblings: Jonathan (18), Jayden (15), Makayla (16), Brittney (29), and Steph (27). My favorite subject in school is history, a...

Addi Steele
Photo Manager
Addi Steele is a senior who serves as a photo manager for the Spartan Shield. Addi is a very committed athlete and is very involved in multiple school activities. Steele has participated in cheer since freshman year as a member...

Amelia Prescher
Infographic Manager
Amelia Prescher is a Pleasant Valley High School senior with aspirations to pursue a career in the medical field and attending an out-of-state university. She is an active member of the Pleasant Valley Chamber Choir and consid...

Taze Wilson
Assistant Editor-in-Chief
Taze Wilson is the assistant editor-in-chief for the Spartan Shield. Next year, Taze hopes to attend NYU to study English and history with a minor in business and one day become a writer or actor. Taze participates in chamber ch...

Ingrid Hofmann
Editor-in-Chief
Ingrid is a senior at Pleasant Valley High School this year. She is a very studious and involved student, as she participates in a multitude of activities and notable classes: Varsity Girls Golf, honors English and Spanish cour...

Ethan Stigler
P.V. Editor
Ethan Stigler is the P.V. Editor for the Spartan Shield Online this fall. When he’s not writing for the Spartan Shield, he’s building robotics for FTC team 7196, bowling for the Pleasant Valley bowling team, or detailing cars...

Jonathan Chiles
Arts & Entertainment Editor
Jonathan Chiles, a senior at PV, is recognized as an honors student who excels in swimming, as he is ranked in the top 50 swimmers of Iowa and was appointed as the 2019-20 captain of the PV Men’s Swimming team. He now works as ...