2011-12 Contributors

Molly Boigon grew up in Harrison, New York and Groton Long Point, Connecticut. She enjoys writing, playing sports, and cloud-watching. Her favorite ice cream flavor is mint chocolate chip.

Essays: Boys I Loved and a Boy Who Smells Like Pretzels, Poppy, Sitters

Monica Caporaso is an eighteen-year-old student of the Masters School in Dobbs Ferry, New York. She likes to be with her friends and her family. Next year she will be attending the George Washington University in D.C.

Essays: (500) Days of Romantic Comedies, Happy, Sad, and Nothing in Between

Jack Christensen was born in 1994 and is a member of the class of 2016 at NYU. He likes philosophy, cognitive science, reading, and My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic. He hates post-modernism, self-righteousness, and people who are 100% sure of anything.

Essays: Pinkie, Tailor, Soldier, Pie, A Curious Noise Outside Eugene, Oregon

Dylan Culp has lived his entire life in New York. He enjoys soccer and photography.

Essays: Looking Within, Manitoga

Luke Gernert lives in Pound Ridge, New York with his parents, brother, two sisters, and two dogs. His interests besides writing include reading, writing music, hanging with friends, and fighting tigers with his bare hands. Any tigers reading this bio may take that as a challenge.

Essays: Quintessence, Thank God, The Subway

Alex Gutfleish was born in Milan, Italy, in January 1994 and moved to the United States in 2007, after living in Milan, Rome, and London. In his spare time, Alex enjoys drawing, working at his local garage, driving his car, traveling to Asia, and watching the New York Knicks. In September 2012 he will be attending Macalaster College in Saint Paul, Minnesota, where he plans to major in virology or toxicology.

Essays: Neon Haven, Ramblin' Men

Mehran Sharifpour-Hicks is an Iranian-English-American student who resides in the suburbs of New York City. When he is not writing, he enjoys watching soccer and taking walks with his dog. Mehran will be earning his Bachelor's Degree in Middle Eastern Studies with a focus on Iran from The George Washington University.

Essays: Lipstick Jihad

Victoria Jahns was born in Villars, Switzerland and emigrated to the United States in her early teens. She is now graduating from The Masters School in Dobbs Ferry, New York to attend Vassar College in the fall.

Essays: "Hit Like if you would help him <3 :'("

Matt Leonard was born in 1994 in Westchester County, New York. He will attend Pitzer College starting the fall of 2012 and will be studying politics and Mandarin.

Essays: About a Jewish Boy, Culture Shock

Duyen Luu Hai, born in Moscow, was raised in Vietnam and went to the States for her last two years of high school. She enjoys writing short stories in English while trying to avoid grammar mistakes. Duyen is going to Washington University in St. Louis, and she is thinking about majoring in biochemistry. She loves almost everything chocolate-flavored, especially chocolate milkshakes.

Essays: Cửa Lò, Self Portrait

Adeline Manson is a senior at The Masters School. She grew up in the majestic town of Bedford Hills, living there until 2010; she fled when the Hills lost their magic. She now resides in the back of her Subaru Outback L.L.Bean edition, where she contemplates sexuality and advocates for endangered sloth rights. She is a Canadian citizen.

Essays: Stitch Work, The Things Out There

Emily Mitamura is a rising freshman English major at Vassar College. She lives in New York and is the second of four children. She likes to write.

Essays: Night Stories, Sewn

Hannah Murphy lives in Westchester, New York. In addition to writing, she is also pursuing a career as a harpist. She is looking forward to continuing her studies in both English and harp next year at Columbia University.

Essays: Power and Pain, Totaled

Julia Pilzer is 18 years old and currently lives in Westchester, New York. In her free time, she enjoys reading the Harry Potter series and playing field hockey and lacrosse. Her favorite dessert is a chocolate chip cookie. After graduating from the Masters School in 2012, Julia will attend Bucknell University.

Essays: Breakfast with Anita Pilzer

Matt Wax was born in New York City. He is an avid baseball fan as well as a big follower of rock music. Currently, he attends The Masters School in Dobbs Ferry NY and will be attending Lafayette College starting in August.

Essays: Freedom, The Island

Mark Zientek is a senior at the Masters School in Dobbs Ferry, New York. He has played basketball his whole life. He will be attending the Polytechnic Institute of New York University next year to major in civil engineering and play basketball. He enjoys writing about his life and trying to figure out life’s mysteries through his works.

Essays: The Real Slim Shady, The Man I Am Destined to Be?, Time