Our Staff
David Berger
Yearbook Reporter/Page Designer
David Berger is a sophomore page designer for the yearbook and this is his first year on staff. In addition to journalism, he is also a multi-instrumentalist involved in the school’s marching band and jazz band. He enjoys long naps, a good conversation, and smooth jazz.
LeAnne Bugay
Newspaper Editor-in-Chief
Video Yearbook Director
LeAnne Bugay is a junior on Video Yearbook and Newspaper. On Video Yearbook she is a Director and she is the Editor-in-Chief of Newspaper. Follow her on Instagram @leannebugay
Gavin Clang
Newspaper Graphics Editor
Gavin Clang is a Junior. He is the graphics and photography editor on the Newspaper staff. He enjoys photography, producing music, and playing guitar.
Emma Clark
Newspaper Reporter
Newspaper
Emma Clark is a senior and a second-year reporter on The Thunderbeat Newspaper staff. She is a fashionista and a makeup artist. In her free time you can find her hanging out with friends and playing with her puppy, Jude. Follow her on Instagram @emmaeclark and Twitter @emmmaclarkkk
Tiffany Domingo
Newspaper Reporter
Video Yearbook NP/VYB Liason
Tiffany is a senior at Bellevue West, and this is her second year as a reporter on newspaper and first year as a filmmaker on video yearbook. You can find Tiffany at your local Chick-Fil-A or Raising Cane’s due to her unhealthy addiction of constantly going out to eat. She is a movie buff and loves talking about them, and advises you not to argue with her when it comes to Marvel because she will win without a doubt. To fulfill her dreams as a world traveler, follow her on Twitter & Instagram @tiffanyydomingo, Snapchat @tiffany.domingo.
Billy Dunkleman
Newspaper Broadcast Manager
Billy is a sophomore. He is the broadcast manager on the Thunderbeat. He enjoys playing basketball and learning history.
Kaitlyn Fye
Video Yearbook Videographer/Filmmaker
Kaitlyn Fye is a senior and a videographer and editor on the Video Yearbook staff. She’s very involved in the arts at West and loves painting. She is also a part of the Color Guard and the varsity Winter Guard team.
Emma Gage
Newspaper Reporter
Emma is a junior and has been on staff for two years as a reporter for the newspaper. When she’s not busy with softball she can be found reading a book or spending time with her two dogs.
Madelyn Gau
Yearbook Index Editor
Madelyn Gau is the Index Editor on the yearbook staff. She is a junior and is on the color guard and winter guard teams. Madelyn loves to watch movies, travel and adventure outside with her family, dogs, and chickens.
Brynn Haer
Yearbook Dedications Editor
Brynn Haer is the Dedications Editor on the yearbook staff. She is a junior and is involved in the color guard. Brynn also loves to watch movies with her dog.
Tymber Haese
Yearbook Reporter/Page Designer
Tymber Haese is a Page Designer on the yearbook staff. She is a junior. This is her second year on staff. Her favorite thing to do is marching band and band in general.
Kinley Hamilton
Newspaper Reporter
Video Yearbook Director
Kinley Hamilton is the Director for Video Yearbook. She’s also involved in West High Singers and is a reporter for Newspaper. Follow her on Instagram @kinley.hamilton.
Autumn Hammond
Video Yearbook Videographer/Filmmaker
Autumn Hammond is a junior. She does not currently do anything after school. She’s part of the Video Yearbook Staff.
Nathan Hawkins
Newspaper Managing and Sports Editor
Nathan is the Managing Editor and Sports Editor for The Thunderbeat. He joined staff as a reporter in his sophomore year, and he is excited to help lead the staff as a senior. When he’s not writing for The Thunderbeat, Nathan is often watching sports, especially his beloved Green Bay Packers.
Maddy Hudec
Yearbook Reporter/Page Designer
Maddy Hudec is a Junior at Bellevue West. She is a page designer on our Yearbook Staff. She also participates in Cheer and Student Council.
Matt Hunter
Video Yearbook HP Director
Matt Hunter is a senior HP director on video yearbook. He participates in JROTC, cross country, golf, Boy Scouts, NHS, Science NHS. He is an AP student. He plans on majoring in Chemistry, and enjoys going to the gym.
Taegan Jacobs
Newspaper Features Editor
Taegan is a Junior at Bellevue West High School. This is her second year on newspaper. In addition to being Features Editor for The Thunderbeat, she plays lacrosse and techs for Bellevue West’s theatre department. She enjoys traveling, watching The Walking Dead, and trying new things.
Brooke Jones
Newspaper Reporter
Brooke Jones is a sophomore reporter for the Thunderbeat. She enjoys watching movies and exploring new places. On any given day, you could find her hanging out with friends or listening to music.
Leah Larson
Newspaper Layout Editor
Leah Larson is a sophomore at Bellevue West High School. She is a Layout Editor for The Thunderbeat. Leah is happiest whenever she’s creating, and she hopes to continue her love for writing during her first year on staff.
CJ Lilienkamp
Video Yearbook Videographer/Filmmaker
CJ Lilienkamp is a multiple sport athlete who plays football and track. He is a sophomore and a videographer/filmmaker for the video yearbook. He is excited to work with the video yearbook staff and ready to help in anyway.
Maddy Madsen
Yearbook Photography Editor
Maddy Madsen is the photography editor on the yearbook staff. She is a junior and participates in student council, softball, and volleyball. She loves to take photographs and design pages.
Curista Magnuson
Video Yearbook Videographer/Filmmaker
Curista Magnuson is a sophomore who cannot remember what her position is on video yearbook. She loves to bring a positive vibe with her anywhere she goes and loves to socialize and make new friends. She gets very excited around animals, mostly dogs, and is excited to be a part of the yearbook staff.
Caitlin Maloney
Yearbook Reporter/Page Designer
Caitlin Maloney is a senior who was selected to be a reporter and page designer on the yearbook staff. She is joining senior senate and student council this year. She loves painting and eating food all hours of the day, most of the time simultaneously.
Aspen Mockelstrom
Yearbook Design Editor
Aspen Mockelstrom is the Design Editor on yearbook staff. This is her second year on staff and she’s a senior. Aspen enjoys playing soccer and reading.
Diego Mora Zubia
Video Yearbook Videographer/Filmmaker
Diego Mora Zubia is a junior. He enjoys playing soccer. He is a member of the video yearbook.
Kara Morgia
Yearbook People Editor
Kara Morgia is the people editor for the yearbook staff. She designs the people section and places the pictures and names of students and staff members. She is a junior and this her second year on staff.
Mikayla Myers
Yearbook Reporter/Page Designer
Mikayla Myers is a junior page designer on the 2018-19 yearbook staff. Along with yearbook she also plays the alto saxophone in the marching band. But most importantly she is the greatest person you will ever meet… and the worst.
Megan Norman
Newspaper Reporter
Megan Norman is a junior in high school who enjoys time outside going on runs and playing softball. She also enjoys being around friends and writing in her free time.
Isabel Pineda
Video Yearbook Production Designer
Isabel “Izzy” Pineda is a senior videographer, editor, and Production Designer. She is also involved in the Color guard and Winter guard teams. She loves her dog, Pancho, sushi, and turon. Follow her on instagram @izzypinedaa and twitter @izzypineda13.
Keely Prusia
Yearbook Index Editor
Keely Prusia, a sophomore, is one of the index editors on yearbook. She is a varsity swimmer on the high school team. Photography and traveling are her two biggest passions.
Rachel Sager
Yearbook Editor-in-Chief
Rachel Sager is the Editor-in-Chief on the yearbook staff. She is a junior and has been on staff for two years. In her free time she like to hangout with animals and eat popcorn.
Emily Schmidt
Newspaper Copy Editor
Yearbook Copy Editor
Emily Schmidt is a senior third-year contributor to the newspaper staff and a first-year editor for the yearbook. On both staffs she fills the role of copy editor. She is also on the soccer team and enjoys taking Buzzfeed quizzes in her spare time.
Hayley Schroeder
Yearbook Reporter/Page Designer
Hayley Schroeder is a page designer for Yearbook. She exercises her skills for design passionately. Hayley can create anything possible. (she has extreme talent).
Charlie Sims
Video Yearbook Videographer/Filmmaker
Charlie Sims is an 11th grade filmmaker on the video yearbook staff. He runs varsity Cross Country and Track, and is a part of the marching band. He also likes to bike in his spare time.
Kelli Smith
Video Yearbook Executive Director
Kelli Smith is a senior and the executive director of the video yearbook and The Thunderbeat. She is a perfectionist, dog lover, and self proclaimed makeup artist. She is also the Bellevue West DECA Chapter President and is involved in NHS, Congressional Awards Club, and STUCO. Follow her instagram’s (@kellismithh & @getscreenedprp), her twitters(@mallorykelli & @getscreenedprp).
Ayanna Solomon-Smith
Yearbook Reporter/Page Designer
Ayanna Solomon-smith is a senior on both the newspaper and yearbook staff. She is the captain of the Thunderettes and is part of NHS. In her free time she likes to sleep and eat Oreos.
Quintin Stueve
Video Yearbook Webmaster
Quintin Stueve is a sophomore and the webmaster of the Thunderbeat. He enjoys playing video games and learning about coding.
Jaclyn Taggart
Yearbook Business Manager
Jaclyn Taggart, a sophomore, is business manager on the yearbook staff. She is also a member of FBLA and Art Club. Her interests include drawing and spending time with family and friends.
Michael Taken
Video Yearbook Production Designer
Michael Taken is a junior, and makes graphics for Video Yearbook.He likes to draw, make art, and make short videos with his friends in his free time.
Alex Toth
Newspaper Editor-in-Chief
Video Yearbook Filmmaker/Videographer
Alex Toth is the Co-Editor in Chief of the Newspaper and a videographer on the Video Yearbook. Alex is a senior who has been on staff since he was sophomore. Alex was previously the Entertainment Editor of the Newspaper and enjoys writing reviews and entertainment pieces.
Mooshoo Tran
Newspaper News Editor
Mooshoo is a senior and is the news editor for the newspaper. She’s also the Thespian President for Bellevue West’s theatre troupe. She loves to play her bedazzled ukulele.
Elissa Treu
Video Yearbook Filmmaker/Videographer
Elissa Treu is a sophomore and a videographer on staff. She swims for Bellevue Swim Club and is on varsity swim team. She also participates in marching band and Omaha Youth Orchestra.
Moises Ugalde
Video Yearbook Videographer/Filmmaker
Moises Ugalde is a senior in high school. He’s a strategic person who is also a very nerdy person. Other than that, he’s a very normal person and never does anything exciting.
Hannah VanLaningham
Yearbook Reporter/Page Designer
Hannah VanLaningham is a sophomore. Her position on staff is page designer, reporter, and photographer. She plays and loves volleyball and really enjoys adventuring.
Lexi Walker
Yearbook Editor-in-Chief
Lexi Walker is a senior on the yearbook staff. Her position is Editor-in-Chief. Lexi enjoys spending time cuddling her dogs and watching Netflix.
Jay Walker-Schulte
Newspaper Entertainment Editor
Jayleen Walker-Schulte is the Entertainment Editor for Newspaper. She is a Planned Parenthood Youth Advisor, as well as a Sarpy County Teen Court Attorney, and participates in National Honor Society, Latin Club, Educators Rising, and Book Club. Jay enjoys spending her free time playing “Magic the Gathering,” collecting comic books, and shopping for vintage apparel.
Nic Welvaert
Yearbook Reporter/Page Designer
Nic Welvaert, 10th grade, page designer, is a total band nerd but takes pictures in their free time. There is no place they’d rather be than outside, whether in a field or in a forest, Nic loves it.
Bryce Wetzler
Yearbook Reporter/Page Designer
Bryce Wetzler is a junior In whose place on the yearbook staff is a Page Designer. Bryce is in AFJROTC Corps and is currently the Public Affairs Officer, taking pictures and managing the official NE-771 Instagram page. Bryce outside of school takes wildlife pictures and occasionally portrait photos of his friends.
