Staff

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Farah Afifi

Staff

This is junior Farah Afifi’s first year in the journalism program. She is a member of the Environmental, Medical and Wonder Girls Clubs. She enjoys volunteering both for her community and her school. She was a part of a summer program, Camp Invention, where she was a camp intern. She has been a member of the outdoor track and field team since her freshman year and competes in distance and sprinting events. In her free time, Farah loves to cook with her mom, listen to music and watch TV shows.

Jenifer Ali

Staff

This is freshman Jenifer Ali’s first year in the journalism program. She is in the concert choir and likes to participate in most school activities. Her hobbies include drawing, listening to music, playing volleyball and going out with friends and family. She is happy to be a part of the journalism program and included in the newspaper.

Mariah Allen

Staff

This is junior Mariah Allen’s first year in the journalism program. She is a member of the Animal Welfare, Astronomy, Environmental and True Crime Clubs. In her free time, Mariah enjoys cuddling her two cats, drawing, listening to music, playing video games and singing. She is also a member of the chorale. Mariah loves creating illustrations and is excited to bring new material to The Lighthouse.

Nicolle Alvarez

Staff

This is junior Nicolle Alvarez’s first year in the journalism program. She is vice president of the International Culture Club and a member of the Athletic Training Club, Medical Club and World Language Honors Society. Nicolle enjoys volunteering in many ways. She volunteers at the Lyndhurst Parks and Recreation’s Integrated Soccer Program for Exceptional Individuals. Nicolle also volunteers in various ways at Queen of Peace Church in North Arlington. After school, Nicolle tutors a second grader and helps him excel in math, reading and writing. She loves spending time with her family and likes to excel academically.

Isabella Apple

Staff

This is junior Isabella Apple’s second year in the journalism program. She is part of the Animal Welfare Club. She enjoys cheerleading, dancing and playing softball. In her free time, Isabella likes hanging out with her friends, listening to music, reading and working out. She is excited for another year in The Lighthouse to see what she can bring to the program.

Drew Bancroft

Webmaster

This is senior Drew Bancroft’s second year in the journalism program and first year working as a webmaster. He serves as president of the band and National Honors Society and is the student representative to the Board of Education. Additionally, he is a captain of the swim team and a member of various clubs. In his free time, Drew enjoys composing music, doing math problems and practicing the drums.

Isabella Bartlett

Managing Editor

This is junior Isabella Bartlett’s second year in the journalism program and her first year serving as a managing editor. She is a captain of the color guard and the secretary of the chorale and Environmental Club. Isabella is a member of the Animal Welfare, Astronomy and Technology Clubs. She is also a member of the New Jersey All-State Choir. Isabella enjoys drawing and listening to music in her free time. She looks forward to a productive year as a managing editor.

Joseph Brennen

Staff

This is junior Joseph Brennen’s first year in the journalism program. Along with serving as low-brass section leader in the band, Joseph participates in the annual musical, chorale and jazz band. He is also a three-year member of the baseball team and Future Business Leaders of America Club. In his free time, Joseph enjoys playing the drums, piano and trombone, spending time outdoors and rooting for the Mets.

Lucy Cardona

Editor

This is senior Lucy Cardona’s second year in the journalism program. She is president of the Crochet Club and a member of the Art Club and National Honors Society. Her hobbies include dancing, drawing and crocheting, and she loves creating art for The Lighthouse.

Chiara Cardone

Deputy Editor

This is senior Chiara Cardone’s second year in the journalism program. Chiara is president of the Italian Club and vice president of the World Language Honor Society. She is a member of the Board Game Club, International Culture Club and National Honor Society. She also participates in the Italian Language and Culture Day Competition. Chiara enjoys volunteering for Lyndhurst Parks and Recreation’s Integrated Soccer Program for Exceptional Individuals. In her free time, Chiara is a competitive dancer and dedicates a lot of time to the sport. This year, Chiara looks forward to reflecting The Lighthouse staff’s opinion in her editorials.

Josleiny Castillo

Staff

This is freshman Josleiny Castillo’s first year in the journalism program. Her hobbies include drawing, playing basketball, reading and writing. Josleiny is a passionate member of the Astronomy Club and freshman girls volleyball team. She hopes to advance to varsity and join more clubs as her high school career progresses.

Gabriella Cerreta

Staff

This is junior Gabriella Cerreta’s first year in the journalism program. She plays flute and piccolo in the band, is the assistant section leader for the flute section and is the drum major for the marching band. She is also in the Crochet Club and is an officer for the Medical Club. In her free time, Gabriella likes crocheting, hanging out with friends, listening to music and exploring places she has never visited.

Zahara Chowdhury

Editor-in-Chief

This is junior Zahara Chowdhury’s third year in the journalism program and first year serving as editor-in-chief. She plays baritone saxophone in the band and jazz band and is the assistant section leader for the saxophone section. She is the activities social chair for the Student Government Association and secretary for the Class of 2026 Council. She is also a member of the Environmental and Technology Clubs. In her free time, Zahara likes cooking, listening to pop musician Lorde and watching sitcoms.

Janset Çinaz

Copy Editor

Janset Çinaz is a senior in her fourth year of the journalism program and her third year as an editor. She plans to pursue a business degree in college, focusing on the pre-law track. Outside of school, Janset works part-time as a front desk secretary and social media manager at a chiropractic office. She also reads the morning announcements. In her free time, she enjoys exploring New York City and volunteering. This year, she hopes to challenge herself by writing articles for The Lighthouse on topics that are new to her.

Jacob Collins Dodd

Staff

This is sophomore Jacob Collins Dodd’s first year in the journalism program. In his free time, Jacob enjoys analyzing politics, listening to music, shopping online and taking walks. Jacob is currently a staff writer and hopes to take on a leadership role in The Lighthouse next year.

Caitlin Correia

Staff

This is freshman Caitlin Correia’s first year in the journalism program. She is a member of the Animal Welfare, Animation & Graphics, Art, Astronomy, Crochet, Environmental, Future Business Leaders of America and Walking Clubs. She is also part of the color guard. In her free time, Caitlin enjoys painting, playing with her two cats, reading poetry and watching ghost-hunting shows.

Sena Fidan

Editor

This is senior Sena Fidan’s second year in the journalism program and first year serving as an editor. She is part of the Law Enforcement Club, Mock Trial Club and swim team. In her free time, Sena enjoys cooking, exploring new environments, hanging out with her friends and staying active. Sena is excited to see what new experiences her final year at LHS and the journalism program will bring her.

Cal Gonzalez

Staff

This is senior Cal Gonzalez’s first year in the journalism program. He is a member of the Animal Welfare, Astronomy, Law Enforcement, Technology and True Crime Clubs. He enjoys spending time with his friends and family.

Ioanna Hantzaras

Staff

This is junior Ioanna Hantzaras’ first year in the journalism program. She plays the alto saxophone in the band and jazz band and sings in the chorale. She is president of the Animation & Graphics Club and a member of the Crochet and Future Business Leaders of America Clubs. In her free time, she loves to crochet, draw and hang out with her close friends. She is excited to bring her designs and art to the journalism program.

Tyler Herman

Staff

This is junior Tyler Herman’s first year in the journalism program. His favorite sport is baseball, and this will be his third year playing the sport at LHS. In his free time, Tyler enjoys being with his friends and family.

Nikalena Iacono

Managing Editor

This is junior Nikalena Iacono’s third year in the journalism program and first year serving as a managing editor. She loves competing on the flag football, soccer and track teams. She is the president of the Class of 2026 and vice president of the Future Business Leaders of America and Wonder Girls Clubs. In her free time, she enjoys hanging out with her friends and family, listening to music and working out. She is excited to continue writing for The Lighthouse and have the opportunity to oversee The Lighthouse’s social media accounts.

Zana Lacka

Staff

This is sophomore Zana Lacka’s first year in the journalism program. Zana is a member of the Future Business Leaders of America and Wonder Girls Clubs. She is also vice president of the Animal Welfare Club and is devoted to helping animals. Her passion is soccer, and she loves spending time with friends and family. Zana enjoys reading and writing, and she is excited to be a part of The Lighthouse.

Alexandra Lourenço

Editor-in-Chief

This is junior Alexandra Lourenço’s third year in the journalism program and first year serving as an editor-in-chief. She fences sabre and enjoys hanging out with her friends and family, listening to music and reading. She is president of the Animal Welfare Club and Wonder Girls Clubs, public relations officer of the Class of 2026 Council and secretary of the Future Business Leaders of America Club. Alexandra looks forward to having a successful year as a writer and editor-in-chief and staying in this program for the rest of her high school career.

Layla Lundholm

Staff

This is freshman Layla Lundholm’s first year in the journalism program. She plays flute in the band, which she has been part of since fourth grade and is a member of the Animal Welfare and Art Clubs. In her free time, she enjoys hanging out with her friends and family, listening to music, playing softball, reading and spending time outside.

Chloe O’Donnell

Staff

This is freshman Chloe O’Donnell’s first year in the journalism program. She is a member of the cross country team. After school, she likes drawing, playing video games and watching movies.

Debra Ogunbowale

Webmaster

This is junior Debra Ogunbowale’s second year in the journalism program and first year serving as a webmaster. She plays junior varsity volleyball and enjoys reading, cooking and listening to music. She is the vice president of the Class of 2026 Council, public relations officer of the Future Business Leaders of America Club and secretary of Wonder Girls Club. Debra hopes to stay in the journalism program for the rest of her high school career and is excited to be serving as a webmaster.

Shelby Perez

Editor

This is senior Shelby Perez’s fourth year in the journalism program. Shelby is a third-year editor for The Lighthouse and a section leader for the lower brass section in the band. Not only does she just participate in the concert and marching band, but is also a member of the chorale and jazz band. Shelby likes to stay active by running for leisure as well as swimming and playing softball for the high school. The past four years have given Shelby a positive outlook for her future, and she looks forward to contributing to The Lighthouse during her final year at LHS.

Madison Quick

Staff

This is freshman Madison Quick’s first year in the journalism program. She is part of the band, cross country team and Future Business Leaders of America Club. In her free time, Madison enjoys dancing, playing softball and reading. She is excited for her first year writing for The Lighthouse.

Bethany Ranero

Staff

This is junior Bethany Ranero’s second year in The Lighthouse program. She likes listening to music, hanging out with her friends after school and drawing both digitally and on paper. She also enjoys expressing her opinions on controversial topics.

Madeline Rosania

Staff

This is senior Madeline Rosania’s first year in The Lighthouse program. She wanted to spend her final year at LHS doing something meaningful and productive for the school. She also participates in several volunteer programs to help individuals with special needs. Madeline loves anything related to fitness and wellness and enjoys trying new activities and visiting new places. Her hobbies include playing the piano, shopping and watching shows.

Alexandra Ruiz

Staff

This is freshman Alexandra Ruiz’s first year in the journalism program. She likes hanging out with friends, listening to music and writing. Alexandra enjoys participating in extracurricular activities at LHS and is part of the annual musical, band, choir, Future Business Leaders of America Club, cheerleading team and softball team.

Ahmet Yagci

Staff

This is freshman Ahmet Yagci’s first year on The Lighthouse staff. In his free time, Ahmet enjoys drawing, hanging out with friends and playing sports.

Rayan Yamout

Editor

This is senior Rayan Yamout’s second year in The Lighthouse and first year as an editor. He is a dedicated secretary of the band, where he plays the clarinet and oboe, and a quartermaster in the chorale, where he sings as a tenor. Rayan is also in the cast of the annual play and musical, which are performed in the fall and winter, respectively. He is a member of various clubs, including the Astronomy and Environmental Clubs. Rayan is looking forward to working alongside his peers and is excited to share his passions and ideas through his writing.