THE A-BLAST - Key Persons
Senior Aisha Hashi is in her first year of journalism as a staff writer. In her free time she loves to hang out with friends and family, while playing games and eating delicious food! ...
Senior Anaya Thompson is in her first year of the A-Blast staff as a Co-photo editor and Tiktok Manager. In her free time she likes to spend time outdoors, walking and hanging out with her friends. Next year anaya hopes to study psychology and minor in film at VCU
Junior Anderson Guzman is in his first year of The A-Blast as a staff writer. He really enjoy photography and music. one of his biggest accomplishments in 2023 was seeing Lana del Rey in a live concert and buying a camera with his own money.
Sophomore Andrew McGee is in his first year on the A-Blast as a staff writer. He plays baseball and swims for Annandale. He's also member of the Math Honor Society. Outside of school he enjoys listening to music, spending time with friends and family, and exercising.
Senior, Aya Al-Ariqi is in her 3rd year on the A-Blast staff. Her current position is Editorials editor and previous positions include co-in-depth editor and staff writer. In her free time, she enjoys...
Job Titles:
- Staff Writer
- Spanish Editor
Senior Brenda Huamani is on her second year on staff for the A-Blast and her first year as the Spanish Editor. She is a member of several clubs, such as National Spanish Honor Society, Girl Up, Just World, and Mission Possible, where she also holds positions. She has also participated in playing Field Hockey and Tennis for the school team. In her free time, she enjoys watching Netflix, hanging out with friends, volunteering, and listening to music.
Job Titles:
- Co - International Editor
Senior Christina Abouzeki is in her second year of journalism as a Co-International Editor. She loves reading, listening to music, and traveling. She plays on the varsity volleyball team and the violin in t...
Freshman Courtney Dickerson is in her first year of journalism as the Entertainment editor. She enjoys writing , shopping , spending time with her family and roller skating. She also has a fraternal twin sister and three other sisters . Even though she sa new addition to the staff this year shes really excited to be part of it!
Job Titles:
- People Editor
- Weekend Editor
Senior Elena Leopold is a People Editor. This is her third year on The A-Blast staff; she has previously worked as Weekend Editor and People Editor. She enjoys hanging out with her friends, playing volleyball and tennis, hiking and doing yoga. Volleyball is her primary sport, and she plays for Annandale, the Alexandria Titans Club team and participates in beach doubles tournaments over the summer. Elena is also an IB Diploma Candidate and hopes to pursue a career in architecture at Clemson, Virginia Tech or The University of Arizona.
Job Titles:
- Co - Music Entertainment Editor
- Entertainment Editor
- Music Editor
Senior Elyana Rodriguez is in her third year of The A-Blast. She's been a staff writer before and now is a music entertainment editor. She loves her boyfriend, Lana Del Rey, music, and green tea. She also loves thunderstorms, photography, trying new food, hanging out with friends, soccer, and going to the beach.
Job Titles:
- Social Media Manager
- Staff Writer
- Health Editor
Junior Emanuel Molla is in his second year of working with The A-Blast. He currently works as the Health editor and he's previously worked as a staff writer and social media manager and he is currently pursuing the IB Diploma. In his free time, he likes to watch TV, read, and hangout with friends.
Job Titles:
- Editor
- Editor in Chief
- Arts Editor
- Co - Editor in Chief
- Depth Editor
Senior Emily Hawkins is thrilled to be this year's Co-Editor in Chief of The A-Blast. This is her third year in the program and was previous In-Depth Editor and Arts Editor. When she's not at school she enjoys listening to music, reading, crocheting or hanging out with friends. She hopes to pursue further education in university and to study communications and journalism. She is looking forward to a great last year on staff!
Job Titles:
- Staff Writer
- Sports X - Tra Editor
Senior Eyob Dagnachew is in his third year as a staff writer. Besides The A-Blast, he is a tutor for younger kids on the weekends and is a part of Key Club. Outside of school, he enjoys reading comics, watching movies and hanging out with friends.
Job Titles:
- Depth Editor
- Spanish Editor
Senior Frances Montevilla is currently one of the In-Depth Editors and the Social Media Manager. This is her second year, as she was previously the Spanish Editor. She is in several clubs and honor societies, even holding officer positions in a few, such as the President of National Honor Society and Secretary of Just World. Additionally, she is also a staff member of the Antenna yearbook. In her free time, she is involved with the Bolivian community as a dancer.
Sophomore Hannah Henderson is excited for her first year as a staff writer on The A-Blast. She plays on the junior varsity team for AHS volleyball, and in her free time can be found crocheting, reading, writing, or hanging out with her friends. She's studying to major in journalism and is planning to attend Syracuse University after high school.
Job Titles:
- Editor in Chief
- News Editor
- Co - Editor in Chief
- Sports Editor
Jarod is a senior at Annandale High School and has been with The A-Blast for four years. Aside from being the Co-Editor in Chief, Jarod also participates in the baseball program and is an IB Diploma candidate at AHS. Outside of school, he is a member of Operation Understanding DC, a non-profit program that works to train African American and Jewish teenagers to be leaders in their respective communities. Jarod also enjoys going to the movies and spending time with his friends.
Sophomore Jasmin Dinh is in her first year working on The A-Blast as an editor for the in-depth pages. Outside of school, she enjoys spending time with her friends and family. She also likes to travel...
Junior Jason Perloff is in his second year of The A-Blast and plans to be for the remainder of his high school career. He enjoys watching and playing sports like football and basketball. He plays for th...
Junior Hien Nguyen is a first year staff writer on The A-Blast. She loves cooking, playing soccer, and spending time with family and friends. In her free time she likes to listen to music and watch tons and tons of movies and tv shows. She also just got into crocheting and finds it very relaxing; she recommends others to do it to relieve stress and just be creative. Her career goal is to become either an entrepreneur and have a small business or a pilot in the airline industry or air force.
Job Titles:
- Co - Sports Editor
- Writer for the a Blast
Junior Leo Marzigliano is a first year writer for the A Blast. He enjoys watching sports like football and baseball. This will be his 3rd season on the varsity tennis for Annandale High School. Ou...
Senior Kelly Flores is in her first year in The A-Blast as staff writer. Some of her favorite things include baking, being in nature, playing soccer, reading, traveling, and listening to music. She is...
Junior Kevin Flores is on his first year of journalism as a sports editor. He's passionate about playing video games that convey symbolism and have a deeper narrative significance. History ranks amon...
Freshman Logan Barberis in his first year of journalism as a staff writer. He likes to spend time with friends and family, listen to music, wrestling, and watching South Park . He also plays football and...
Junior Melissa Vu is in her first year of The A-blast as a staff writer. She loves to go on shopping sprees, especially for makeup and clothes. "I'm a literal fashion goddess when it comes to putting...
Junior Michelle Collins is in her third year of journalism as the Spanish Editor and social media manager. She loves reading, trying new things, spending time with friends, and playing sports. Outside...
Senior Morgan Milman is in her first year of journalism as the Academics Editor. She plays for the varsity volleyball team and dives for the swim & dive team. In her free time she likes to paint, read,...
Sophomore Munira Khalif is in her first year of The A-Blast as a Co-editor for the Arts page. She loves to do activities in school so she participates in Model UN, AWC, and Tennis. Some of the pastimes...
Senior Naomi Thayer is in her third year on the A-Blast staff, she is the Photo editor of the photo page, and the Co-TikTok manager. In her free time Naomi enjoys thrifting, listening to music, eating...
Sophomore Nathalie Alvarenga is in her first year of The A-Blast as a staff writer. She likes to spends her free time with friends, playing field hockey and lacrosse, and reading. She also really enjoys...
Sophomore Rossy Soto is on her first year on the A-Blast Staff as the Arts Editor. She enjoys photography, listening to music, thrifting and loves indulging in time with friends and family.
Job Titles:
- Co - International Editor
Senior Sadiksha Gurung is in her second year in the A-Blast as the Co-International Editor. She enjoys reading, crochet, movies, food, painting, traveling, and spending time with her friends, family, and...
Senior Shane Gomez is the Co-Editor in Chief of the A-Blast. He was Editorials Editor as a sophomore and junior and a Staff Writer as a freshman. He is pursuing the IB Diploma and he can be found fre...
Sophomore Sofia Saavedra is in her first year on The A-Blast staff as a co-editor for the In-Depth pages. Sofia also tutors in the AWC, participates in Model UN and plays Soccer and Field Hockey for Anna...
Sophia Baraban's once-in-a-lifetime community service trip to Ecuador
Sophomore Sophia Sewall is starting her first year of journalism as a staff writer. She plays varsity golf and softball for Annandale. She likes to listen to music, watch movies, and go to the gym. She...
Susan Connell's memorable month at the Governor's School for Humanities
Senior Valentina Henrich is excited to come back for her second year on The A-Blast and share her love of music as this year's music Entertainment Editor! When she's not at school she enjoys discovering...
Freshman Yessica Sierra is in her first year of journalism as a staff writer. She's all about group projects, having a good time with her friends, adoring animals, and she has a fraternal twin. ...
Sophomore Zoe Ligairi is in her first year at the A-Blast as the Lifestyle Editor. She is currently an AWC tutor, the founder and president of the Pasifika club and is eager to join other clubs at the...