mEET THE 2023-2024 sTAFF

Zoey Larson

Senior Zoey Larson is the Editor-in-Chief for the 2023-2024 school year. Apart from this, they are a Stanton Cheer Captain and Vice President of Youth in Government. Outside of school, they enjoy baking, going to the library, and getting boba with friends. She also likes listening to artists like boygenius and Taylor Swift and rambling about her favorite movies and shows, like Yellowjackets. They plan to pursue their passions of film and math through a double major in film and business at a big-city college.

Anasofia Girardot

Senior AnaSofia Girardot is the Managing Editor for the 2023-2024 school year. Hailing from a proud Colombian background, they always find a way to celebrate and uplift their heritage. They participate in Mock Trial and Film Society at school. An aspiring classical archaeologist, he also has an HMS Florida internship with FPAN’s incredible archaeology coordinator Emily Jane Murray. They love listening to The Smiths or Alex G, watching Good Omens, reading about Ancient Greece, and drawing. They hope to be a full-fledged classical archaeologist and study abroad in England or the Netherlands.

Spurthi Nrusimhadevara

Senior Spurthi Nrusimhadevara is the Photography Editor for the 2023-2024 school year. When she's not behind her camera, Spurthi is often found at the movie theater, reading, going to a local play, or curating the occasional Pinterest board. She has an affinity for film and acting, and is the President of Stanton’s Film Society, while she also makes short films with her friends in her free time! Beyond her artistic pursuits, she has a deep-rooted commitment to volunteer work which drives her to actively contribute to her community in diverse ways. She has an obsession with Star Wars, and her playlists often encompass artists like Taylor Swift, the Cocteau Twins, and Mitski. Spurthi would like to major in Psychology at a college in the state and has her sights set on a career in law, reflecting her drive to foster impactful change.

Sarah bernardo

Senior Sarah Bernardo is the Digital Media Editor for the 2023-2024 school year. Outside of journalism she has a strong passion for performing arts studying classical voice and performing in the Jacksonville Children’s Chorus. She has a love for politics serving as the President of Stanton’s Chapter of Youth In Government and as a member of the First Coast YMCA Executive Teen Board.  On the side, she enjoys film photography, thrifting, taking care of her house plants, and listening to Harry styles while sipping matcha lattes.  She would like to pursue a creative career that can help spread joy and understanding. She wants to go to college in Boston or New York and major in music.

Anusha Anna

Senior Anusha Anna is the Business Manager for the 2023-2024 school year. Apart from taking photos and managing the paper's finances, Anusha loves to do anything art and creativity-related, like drawing or painting. She also loves to listen to music and travel. Anusha’s lifelong goal is to travel the world one day. Currently, she plans to go into the STEM field in college and plans to go to a college in the state.

Katya Sniriova

Junior Katya Sniriova is the Associate Digital Media Editor for the 2023-24 year. Outside classroom 204 she participates in a lot of service activities, including being an officer for UNICEF and Key Club. She is also playing at Powers Volleyball Club, for the 18-1s team this coming season. In addition to volleyball, she loves to go to the gym, explore new foods, and spend as much time as possible at the beach. She plans to pursue a career in the field of psychology.

Rowan Kershner

Junior Rowan Kershner is the Podcast Producer for the 2023-2024 school year. Apart from creating the podcast and its promotional artwork, he participates in extracurriculars like Ethics Bowl and Key Club. Outside of academics, he enjoys drawing, animation, and music. He enjoys hip-hop, rock, and folk punk. He hopes to go into mechanical engineering at the University of Florida.

Hawi Said

Senior Hawi Said is the Art Director for the 2023-2024 school year. Outside Room 204, she loves painting with watercolors, going on evening walks, listening to music, and writing every little thought in her notes app. She cannot be convinced that romance is not the best genre to ever exist. Hawi is not sure of her future, but she hopes that she becomes a person that she can be proud of.

Amani Okero

Junior Amani Okero is the Arts and Entertainment Section Editor for the 2023-24 school year. Outside of the Devil’s Advocate, Amani loves to hang out with friends, swim, watch Chinese shows to increase acquisition of the language, and loves skincare. She hopes to one day have her own skincare line to help people repair their damaged skin.

Cliona Joy Piligan

Cliona Joy Piligan is the Sports Section Editor for the 2023-2024 school year. Apart from copy-editing stories and designing pages, she enjoys listening to music and sightseeing. She also likes to cook and watch Netflix shows with her family, particularly One Piece. She is a member of the American Sign Language Club and Junior Civitans. She hopes to attend the University of North Florida and find a career that will help others.

Grace Larson

Junior Grace Larson is the Features Section Editor for the 2023-2024 school year. Apart from journalism, she likes to stay active by lifting weights and going on hikes. She enjoys listening to music and watching movies in her free time. Her experience on staff has encouraged her to pursue a career in journalism in the future.

Shravya Nalla

Junior Shravya Nalla is the Opinions Editor for the 2023-2024 school year. Outside of journalism, she loves to go on bike rides, hang out with her friends, bake delicious treats, and watch her favorite Netflix shows. She hopes to study medicine in the future and help out others in her community.

Ariyani Thompkins

Senior Ariyani Thompkins is a staff writer for the 2023-24 school year. She enjoys any ventures in writing. She is active in the Drama Club. Notably, with an interest in fashion, they have done costume design and been assistant costume manager. She is in her 4th year on the girls lacrosse team and plans on continuing to play it as a club sport in college. She likes to volunteer at the library and Ronald McDonald House. Outside of academics and extracurriculars, she enjoys watching Asian TV dramas, listening to music, thrifting, and drinking boba or a chai matcha latte.

Emily Zickuhr

Sophomore Emily Zickuhr is a Staff Writer for the 2023-2024 school year. During her time not working on stories, she is the current G.R.O.W Club Historian and a member of the Youth in Government club at Stanton. She enjoys riding her bike and watching TV shows in her spare time and is currently watching Sherlock. Her love for writing and film is something she hopes to pursue in the future at college.

Erica Truong

Sophomore Erica Truong is a Staff Writer for the 2023-2024 school year. Outside of writing for the newspaper, she enjoys traveling, listening to music, and going on long walks through nature. One of her favorite things to make is chocolate strawberries for her friends to enjoy. Although she is still exploring possible career paths, she hopes to be an active member in her community.

Lindsay Johnson

Sophomore Lindsay Johnson is a Staff Writer for the 2023-2024 school year. Outside of the paper, she is the Historian for the Family Promise Club and enjoys running for Stanton’s cross country and track teams. In her free time, she enjoys reading, watching TV, tap dancing, and practicing taekwondo. She also likes listening to music, especially Olivia Rodrigo. She is currently still looking for a career that she will love.

Mena Alchi

Junior Mena Alchi has embraced the position of Staff Writer for the 2023-2024 academic year with great enthusiasm. Beyond her journalistic pursuits, she enjoys activities such as running, playing volleyball, and spending quality time with friends at the beach. Mena's passion for helping others drives her towards a future in the medical field. Outside of her academic commitments, she delights in baking nutritious treats for her family and friends while also finding solace in nature. She aspires to attend the University of San Diego after high school, with a sincere desire to make a positive impact on her community.

Katie Wong

Junior Katie Wong is a Staff Writer for the 2023-2024 school year. Outside of journalism, she stays active by playing tennis and going to the gym. She enjoys reading YA novels in her spare time, and one of her favorite hobbies is cooking. She hopes to attend Duke University to obtain a degree in neuroscience and eventually become a behavioral neurologist.

Jade Bateman

Sophomore Jade Bateman is the Marketing Assistant for the 2023-2024 school year. Other than scouting for local business ads, she uses her free time to listen to Taylor Swift while baking for her friends and family. She loves to read and her favorite book is The Great Gatsby. One of her favorite hobbies is thrifting at her local thrift shops. She aspires to go to Stanford University and obtain a degree in nursing.

Garrett Lawrence

Arvind Mukund

Rishi Mudiganti

Senior Rishi Mudiganti is a Staff Videographer for the 2023-2024 school year. Outside of taking videos for the newspaper, he loves playing Quiz Bowl, hanging out with his friends at school, and is a huge Jacksonville Jaguars fan. He is the president of the Quiz Bowl team and is an SGA Officer. Outside of school, he loves to watch horror movies, play video games on his Playstation, and cooking! He aspires to go to Georgia Tech and possibly pursue a career in Chemistry.

Amina Umar