FALLAN PATTERSON, ADVISER, is a former newspaper reporter turned teacher who loves all things news. She’s written for the Sun Sentinel, the Miami Herald and the Osceola News-Gazette, as well as others. She teaches Journalism 1 and English 2 in addition to advising staffers on The Lariat. Outside of school, she enjoys spending time with her husband and their two kids, soaking up rays at the beach, doing yoga and writing her true crime novel.
EMMA HUERTA, ONLINE EDITOR-IN-CHIEF, is a senior with a passion for “doing too much.” She is also president of National English Honor Society, president of Future Law Professionals of America and Vice-President of Activities for National Honor Society. Outside of school, she serves as Public Relations Manager for Proyecto Manzana, dances ballet and is a Music Critic for Field Notes Zine. Huerta is a self-proclaimed vinyl record connoisseur and dreams of (somehow) surviving senior year.
ARIELLE KRAUS, PRINT EDITOR-IN-CHIEF, is a senior, the 2019 Florida Scholastic Press Association Emerging Young Journalist, co-president of Florida Future Educators of America, co-president of College and Career Transition Club and a member of National Honor Society. Outside of school, she runs a student newspaper at Hollywood Hills Elementary for fifth grade students. She is very active in the Early Childhood Education program and loves traveling, her dog and Broadway shows.
KAYLA GATES, MANAGING EDITOR,s a senior and self-proclaimed writer. She furthers her passion for journalism through her active involvement in various extracurricular activities. Gates is the President of the National Honor Society and the National English Honor Society. During her leisure time, she volunteers as a youth soccer coach and scoops ice cream at a local parlor. For fun, Gates frequents concert venues and enjoys spending her weekends by the beach.
SASHEEN JOSEPH, HEAD EDITOR, is an overthinking senior who probably needs to lay off the coffee every morning. She is also Mellophone Section Captain for the Sound of Pride and Treasurer of Tri-M Music Honor Society. Besides this, she likes to go running in the morning, listen to music and scroll through TikTok for way too long. Joseph is very passionate about psychology and plans on making it her career one day.
RYAN MERARD, HEAD EDITOR, is a senior. He likes to watch and play sports (like basketball), listening to music and also playing the piano. In the future, he hopes to work in the medical field and help people with their health complications.
JAELYN YEAMPIERRE, HEAD EDITOR, is a senior with a love for film and music, as well as writing. She spends her free time writing poems, stories and short films. She is a classic rock fan and loves music from the ‘60s, ‘70s and ‘80s. When she is not writing and editing for The Lariat, she is listening to vinyls or watching old films. Yeampierre hopes to pursue a career in either film production or education.
CAMILA FERNANDEZ, GENERAL EDITOR, is passionate about writing, music, fashion and films. When she’s not occupied with any of the four, she likes to spend time with her friends and her standoffish (yet adorable) cat, Coco. She is also a member of National Honor Society, Environmental Club and Debate. In ten years, Camila sees herself living in a big city and travelling around the world.
CHRIS GOMES, GENERAL EDITOR, is a junior, president of Model United Nations and a member of Future Law Professionals of America. When he’s not actively writing for the Lariat, Gomes can be found listening to music along with keeping up with professional sports and social issues. He is unsure of his career path at the moment, but hopes to pursue a career as a lawyer or government job.
KAREN SUROS, GENERAL EDITOR, is a senior with a lot of free time on her hands. She is a member of Environmental Club and Interact Club, and volunteers at a variety of organizations, including Let’s Keep Hollywood Beautiful and Feeding South Florida. She enjoys watching TV, listening to all kinds of music (except country) and spending time with her friends and family.
ELENA ASHBURN, EDITORIAL ASSISTANT, is a very busy junior. In school, she is the recording secretary for Troupe 0784. Outside of school, she is the co-founder and outreach coordinator of Bloom: Empowering the Military Teen, a builder for Civics Unplugged and a youth reporter for EarthX. She also works for several other projects and campaigns, and does freelance website work. Oh, and she hosts a podcast too! In her very limited free time, Ashburn enjoys being outside, traveling with her family and friends, doing yoga and crafting. She hopes to graduate with her sanity and pursue a career in the technology field.
KAMDYN ROHER, ASSISTANT PRINT EDITOR, is a sophomore who is not as busy as everyone else! Completely obsessed with reading, she spends her time not writing for The Lariat with her nose in whatever book she is currently reading. She is also a member of Interact, Key Club and Women of Tomorrow, but the organizations have not been too active under the current circumstances. She loves animals and would be a crazy cat (and dog!) lady if she had the chance. Roher aspires to make it through high school with her sanity and to become a forensic attorney in her future.
ALYSSA KHAN, STAFF WRITER, is a senior, vice president of Multicultural Club and a member of Blessings in a Backpack. Outside of school she is the president of Save a Page, an organization dedicated to recycling paper in the community. When she has extra time, she enjoys babysitting, spending time with her family and watching Marvel movies. She is also a huge basketball fan. Khan hopes to pursue a career in medicine after she graduates.
SOFIA MENDEZ, STAFF WRITER, is a senior, vice president of Spanish Honor Society/Spanish Club and member of National Honor Society, Best Buddies and Latinos in Action. She enjoys hanging out with friends and family and likes going for a run. As for the future, she aspires to become an anchor for the one and only E! News Red Carpet. Alongside that, she aims to get her license to become a real estate agent.
NICOLE NADLER, STAFF WRITER, is a sophomore who loves getting involved. She is vice president of the Class of 2023, a member of Interact Club and secretary of Model United Nations. Outside of school, you can often find her at Cali Coffee or working as the city coordinator for Earth Uprising Cooper City and state finance director for Generation Ratify Florida. Nadler dreams of being a political analyst or a chief of staff and has passions attributing to that cause. She enjoys finding new coffee shops and furthering her palette for cheesecake.
NINA RAMIREZ, STAFF WRITER, is a junior and member of multiple CCHS clubs, such as Key Club and National English Honor Society. She furthers her passion for writing by joining The Lariat and reading literature whenever she can. She also does hip-hop dance at “Dancers Gallery” as a form of fun and releasing positive energy. She’s also an active member of the Early Childhood Education program and loves listening to music, being social and meeting new people.
ADDISON ROBERTS, STAFF WRITER, is a junior and first-year staff writer. Roberts has been a part of Thespians with Troupe 0784, First Priority and was becoming a member of Rouge Kappa Honor Society before the pandemic. He enjoys film, music and video games and has an appreciation for all the arts and humanities. He is planning to go to college to pursue a career in journalism or as a pastor.
ANABELLA GARCIA, PHOTOGRAPHER, is a junior, attends College Academy, and is a member of the United Nations International Children’s Emergency Fund (UNICEF) club and National Honor Society (so far). Through The Lariat, she found a passion for photography and has started to contribute photos and poetry to other newspapers as well. She enjoys talking to her friends, playing guitar and watching an obnoxious amount of movies. Garcia has many interests and ideas when it comes to the future, but at the heart of it she wants to pursue a career in policy and own a really fluffy cat.
SOFIE KAHLIG, ILLUSTRATOR, is the anxious sophomore who happens to be an artist. She’s been an artist for around five years, mostly with a cartoon style and has done work with online commissions. She joined The Lariat to continue her passion of drawing and expand her portfolio for when she tries to get into an art college and grow an art career. She also enjoys other forms of art like theater, music and culinary arts. She might not have as many interesting events happening to her as the others, though she does have an interesting personality; this is probably from not being around people that much besides her weird family. Overall, she’s an introverted and anxious artist who just wants to get by while having fun.
MIA TUNON, ILLUSTRATOR, is a sophomore who has a passion for art. It has always been something she’s loved doing ever since the first time she picked up a crayon. She decided to be a part of the Lariat because she thought it would be a great opportunity to showcase her art. She also likes to enter several artistic contests and has painted several murals for local businesses. Tunon’s future goals are to get into a good college and later on become a world-renowned artist.
