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Ben LeGrand

Ben LeGrand, Editor-in-Chief

Ben is a senior and third year member of The Echo. He is involved in Cross Country and Track. He enjoys correcting people on their poor bagel choices, watching movies, binging HBO T.V. shows, (mandatory "The Wire" shout out) and wallowing in the despair of being a Chicago sports fan. In the future, he plans to major in journalism, with the hopes of becoming a staff writer for a publication, or a writer for a late night talk show.

All content by Ben LeGrand
The Ted Lasso conclusion and a personal farewell to The Echo

The Ted Lasso conclusion and a personal farewell to The Echo

Ben LeGrand, Editor-in-Chief
June 1, 2023
The featured poster for this years production.

Neuqua Theatre brings ‘Chicago’ home

Ben LeGrand, Editor-in-Chief
April 24, 2023
The Echo Magazine 25.2

The Echo Magazine 25.2

Ben LeGrand, Sanchali Pandey, Lily Ha, Leah Dennison, Patricia Novak, Jake Panek, Emma Vorasorn, Viraj Desai, Logan Brown, and Ava Nelson
March 23, 2023
Neuqua seniors recommend their favorite classes.

The Echo Recommends- Senior Class Recommendations

Ben LeGrand, Ayel Kikama, Logan Brown, Sean Kirchner, Adam Hristov, Jake Panek, and Jack RS
January 20, 2023
Posters, flyers and banners have been posted across the school to publicize the event.

[Photo] Inside the Spring Fling's potential return

December 2, 2022
In the November 2022 edition of The Echo Recommends, The Echo shares their Thanksgiving Break recommendations!

The Echo Recommends- November

Ben LeGrand, Lily Ha, Charlie Wallin, Patricia Novak, Emma Vorasorn, Leah Dennison, Sobia Shamim, Jack RS, Camila Reyes, Ava Nelson, Ayel Kikama, Adam Hristov, Sanchali Pandey, Viraj Desai, Logan Brown, and Zahra Ladak
November 27, 2022
The approaching holiday season brings much debate about the appropriate time for Christmas music.

When is it too early for Christmas music?

Sanchali Pandey and Ben LeGrand
November 17, 2022
With the midterm elections approaching November 8th, many Neuqua seniors will be participating in their first U.S. election.

Neuqua Valley seniors prepare for their first U.S. election

Ben LeGrand, Editor-in-Chief
November 4, 2022
The weather’s warming up, so here’s some recommendations to warm you up.

The Echo Recommends- October

Ben LeGrand, Lily Ha, Logan Brown, Leah Dennison, Viraj Desai, Ayel Kikama, Zahra Ladak, Ava Nelson, Patricia Novak, Sanchali Pandey, Jake Panek, Camila Reyes, Jack RS, Sobia Shamim, Emma Vorasorn, Charlie Wallin, Sean Kirchner, and Adam Hristov
October 29, 2022
Students testing their launcher on the carnival day

Neuqua’s PLTW program kicks off their annual Carnival Day

Ben LeGrand and Sean Kirchner
September 14, 2022
The Echo has returned with their monthly column. New staff, new recommendations.

The Echo Recommends – September 2022

Ben LeGrand, Lily Ha, Emma Vorasorn, Charlie Wallin, Patricia Novak, Ryder Stejskal, Leah Dennison, Mahima Shankar, Sobia Shamim, Jack RS, Camila Reyes, Jake Panek, Ava Nelson, Ayel Kikama, Adam Hristov, Sanchali Pandey, Viraj Desai, Logan Brown, Sean Kirchner, and Zahra Ladak
September 13, 2022
The Neuqua Valley Girls Soccer team waves to the Neuqua fans after their upset victory over Naperville Central.

Neuqua Girl’s Soccer pulls off the upset, knocks the #1 seed Naperville Central out of the regionals

Ben LeGrand, Editor-in-Chief
May 23, 2022
The Neuqua Theatre poster advertising the musical.

Grease is the word! Neuqua Theatre makes its triumphant return to live shows

Ben LeGrand, Editor-in-Chief
April 28, 2022
In celebration of its 25th anniversary, Neuqua Valley is inducting its inaugural class of Distinguished Alumni.

Neuqua Valley celebrates 25 years with its inaugural class of Distinguished Alumni

Ben LeGrand, Editor-in-Chief
April 18, 2022
The Echo Magazine 24.2

The Echo Magazine 24.2

Aarti Gupta, Lily Ha, Ryder Stejskal, Gabby Dziekan, Ben LeGrand, Olivia Durcan, Udhay Nallapati, Maya Stone, Peter Wujek, and Jake Panek
March 23, 2022
Parents and students stood outside Neuqua Valley on a cold, wet morning to protest the districts mask mandate.

Mask protests hit Neuqua Valley

Ben LeGrand, Editor-in-Chief
February 14, 2022
This semester, The Echo Recommends has given up on themes. Please enjoy these January recommends.

The Echo Recommends – January 2022

Aarti Gupta, Sachin Fong, Ben LeGrand, Peter Wujek, Abby Apeland, Jason Appel, Lucas Lombana Arias, Jaclyn Bobbe, Logan Brown, Noah Burrell, Viraj Desai, Olivia Durcan, Mahika Gupta, Lily Ha, Adam Hristov, Udhay Nallapati, Sanchali Pandey, Jake Panek, Ingrid Marques Reginato, Sabrina Sabatin, Mahima Shankar, Ryder Stejskal, Gabby Dziekan, and Jack RS
January 24, 2022
Three non-descript Chicago Bears players standing in all of their mediocrity.

Monsters of mediocrity: Chicago Bears move on from Pace and Nagy

Ben LeGrand, Editor-in-Chief
January 13, 2022
In the December 2021 edition of The Echo Recommends, we share some suggestions of how to relieve your finals stress and winter break boredom.

The Echo Recommends – December 2021

Aarti Gupta, Ben LeGrand, Peter Wujek, Abby Apeland, Jason Appel, Lucas Lombana Arias, Jaclyn Bobbe, Logan Brown, Viraj Desai, Olivia Durcan, Mahika Gupta, Lily Ha, Adam Hristov, Udhay Nallapati, Sanchali Pandey, Jake Panek, Ingrid Marques Reginato, Sabrina Sabatin, Mahima Shankar, and Ryder Stejskal
December 15, 2021
Highlighted students at Neuqua Valley. Meiling Sun, Zachary Close, Sohum Suthar, and Reesa Espera (from left to right).

People of Neuqua Valley

Aarti Gupta, Mahima Shankar, Ben LeGrand, and Sanchali Pandey
December 3, 2021
The Echo Magazine 24.1

The Echo Magazine 24.1

Aarti Gupta, Sachin Fong, Lily Ha, Ryder Stejskal, Mahima Shankar, Sanchali Pandey, Ben LeGrand, Viraj Desai, and Logan Brown
December 3, 2021
In the November 2021 edition of The Echo Recommends, The Echo shares their Thanksgiving Break recommendations!

The Echo Recommends – November 2021

Aarti Gupta, Sachin Fong, Ben LeGrand, Peter Wujek, Abby Apeland, Jason Appel, Lucas Lombana Arias, Jaclyn Bobbe, Logan Brown, Noah Burrell, Viraj Desai, Olivia Durcan, Mahika Gupta, Lily Ha, Adam Hristov, Udhay Nallapati, Sanchali Pandey, Jake Panek, Ingrid Marques Reginato, Sabrina Sabatin, Mahima Shankar, Ryder Stejskal, and Amerie Zaininger
November 19, 2021
Neuqua junior Lucas Lombana Arias speaks at the recent PTA meeting.

Open forum coming to Neuqua

Ben LeGrand, Editor-in-Chief
November 18, 2021
Chicago Blackhawks GM Stan Bowman answers to reporters after the Blackhawks sexual assault scandal reaches the light.

Pro sports rack up scandals like points

Ben LeGrand, Editor-in-Chief
November 17, 2021
The weather’s warming up, so here’s some recommendations to warm you up.

The Echo Recommends – October 2021

Aarti Gupta, Sachin Fong, Ben LeGrand, Maya Stone, Peter Wujek, Abby Apeland, Jason Appel, Lucas Lombana Arias, Jaclyn Bobbe, Logan Brown, Noah Burrell, Viraj Desai, Olivia Durcan, Mahika Gupta, Lily Ha, Adam Hristov, Udhay Nallapati, Sanchali Pandey, Jake Panek, Ingrid Marques Reginato, Sabrina Sabatin, Mahima Shankar, Ryder Stejskal, and Amerie Zaininger
October 25, 2021
The Round Table (Episode 1)

The Round Table (Episode 1)

Noah Burrell, Ben LeGrand, Sachin Fong, Udhay Nallapati, and Ryder Stejskal
October 6, 2021
The Echo has returned with their monthly column. New staff, new recommendations.

The Echo Recommends – September 2021

Aarti Gupta, Sachin Fong, Ben LeGrand, Maya Stone, Peter Wujek, Abby Apeland, Jason Appel, Lucas Lombana Arias, Jaclyn Bobbe, Logan Brown, Noah Burrell, Viraj Desai, Olivia Durcan, Mahika Gupta, Lily Ha, Adam Hristov, Udhay Nallapati, Sanchali Pandey, Jake Panek, Ingrid Marques Reginato, Sabrina Sabatin, Mahima Shankar, Ryder Stejskal, and Amerie Zaininger
September 17, 2021
Neuqua Valley and Oswego conclude their game with mutual respect.

Neuqua holds its first football game in two years, but the fear of COVID-19 remains

Ben LeGrand, Editor-in-Chief
August 30, 2021
A very happy and handsome birthday boy

Friends for a fur-tastic summer

Abby Apeland, Maya Stone, Aarti Gupta, Skylar Serrano, Ben LeGrand, Ollie Mallett, Augustine Gallespen, Jena Patel, and Amerie Zaininger
May 26, 2021
In our final edition of The Echo Recommends for the 2020-2021 school year, we give you some ideas to kick off your summer break and express your post-finals frustrations.

May we recommend that you have a good summer?

Aarti Gupta, Dana Balmas, Hazel Booth, Abby Apeland, Jaclyn Bobbe, Olivia Durcan, Sachin Fong, Augustine Gallespen, Isabela Graham, Salman Khan, Ben LeGrand, Enoch Kim, Ollie Mallett, Nwanne Nwosisi, Jena Patel, Jailen Poole, Skylar Serrano, Bhoomi Sharma, Maya Stone, and Amerie Zaininger
May 24, 2021
In the April 2021 edition of The Echo Recommends, The Echo staff could not come up with a theme. We hope you will transcend regardless, even if it’s just because you enjoy the rhyme we created.

April recommends that will make you transcend

Aarti Gupta, Dana Balmas, Hazel Booth, Abby Apeland, Jaclyn Bobbe, Olivia Durcan, Sachin Fong, Augustine Gallespen, Isabela Graham, Ben LeGrand, Ollie Mallett, Nwanne Nwosisi, Jena Patel, Jailen Poole, Maddie Pope, Skylar Serrano, Bhoomi Sharma, Maya Stone, and Amerie Zaininger
April 29, 2021
With live broadcasts and real-time commentators, the media team adds an amazing aspect to high school sports.

Behind the Broadcast

Ben LeGrand, Editor-in-Chief
April 15, 2021
In the March 2021 edition of The Echo Recommends, The Echo staff provides some cool things to combat the warm weather with.

Spring into break with some fresh recommendations

Aarti Gupta, Dana Balmas, Hazel Booth, Abby Apeland, Jaclyn Bobbe, Olivia Durcan, Sachin Fong, Augustine Gallespen, Isabela Graham, Ben LeGrand, Nwanne Nwosisi, Jena Patel, Jailen Poole, Maddie Pope, Skylar Serrano, Bhoomi Sharma, and Maya Stone
March 25, 2021
Dominick Liacone commentates on a Neuqua basketball game, accompanied by Jack Ashby and Charlie Rook

A play-by-play look at the voice of Neuqua Valley

Ben LeGrand, Editor-in-Chief
March 8, 2021
In the February 2021 edition of The Echo Recommends, the Echo Staff focuses on work by black creators.

Echoing black voices

Aarti Gupta, Dana Balmas, Hazel Booth, Abby Apeland, Jaclyn Bobbe, Olivia Durcan, Sachin Fong, Augustine Gallespen, Isabela Graham, Salman Khan, Enoch Kim, Ben LeGrand, Ollie Mallett, Nwanne Nwosisi, Jena Patel, Jailen Poole, Maddie Pope, Skylar Serrano, Bhoomi Sharma, Maya Stone, and Amerie Zaininger
February 18, 2021
Swimmer Ian Alamaugh prepares for an event during the first swim meet back.

Boy’s Swim and Dive Team Wins First Meet, as Spring Sports Return to Neuqua

Ben LeGrand, Editor-in-Chief
February 8, 2021
The Echo Magazine 23.2 - Today & Tomorrow

The Echo Magazine 23.2 – Today & Tomorrow

Salman Khan, Skylar Serrano, Abby Apeland, Sachin Fong, and Ben LeGrand
February 4, 2021
Botany students get their first in-person tour of Neuquas greenhouse.

Hybrid Learning is Underway

Ben LeGrand and Olivia Durcan
February 3, 2021
In the January 2021 edition of The Echo Recommends, The Echo staff provides some things for you to try out in the new year.

New year, new recommendations

Aarti Gupta, Dana Balmas, Hazel Booth, Abby Apeland, Jaclyn Bobbe, Olivia Durcan, Sachin Fong, Augustine Gallespen, Salman Khan, Enoch Kim, Ben LeGrand, Ollie Mallett, Jena Patel, Maddie Pope, Skylar Serrano, Bhoomi Sharma, Maya Stone, Isabela Graham, and Nwanne Nwosisi
January 30, 2021
In the December 2020 edition of The Echo Recommends, The Echo staff has curated a list of things to keep you warm this cold winter break.

The Echo Recommends is comin’ to town

Aarti Gupta, Dana Balmas, Hazel Booth, Abby Apeland, Jaclyn Bobbe, Alice Braun, Olivia Durcan, Sachin Fong, Augustine Gallespen, Isabela Graham, Salman Khan, Enoch Kim, Ben LeGrand, Jena Patel, Maddie Pope, Skylar Serrano, Bhoomi Sharma, and Maya Stone
December 22, 2020
On December 13, members of our community gathered to protest online schooling.

“Our Schools, Our Choice, Our Say.” District 204 Community Members Rally to Open Schools

Ben LeGrand, Editor-in-Chief
December 15, 2020
Representative Lauren Underwood photographed on a day where she planned her campaign reelection.

From Wildcat to Democrat

Ben LeGrand, Editor-in-Chief
October 31, 2020
John Poulakidas, Highly recruited NVHS Senior and future Yale Bulldog.

John Poulakidas announces long-awaited commitment for basketball

Ben LeGrand and Sachin Fong
September 29, 2020
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Ben LeGrand