Our Staff

Annie Gombiner is a senior and is enjoying her third year with the Huguenot Herald. Her column, Humans of New Ro, showcases the stories of New Rochelleans from all walks of life. She hopes these stories will foster greater community understanding. Annie also enjoys researching the history of New Rochelle and relating that to her articles.  

Manahel Shuja, Writer, Social Media Manager

Manahel is a senior, and this is her fourth year with the Huguenot Herald. She enjoys writing about current events and world issues. During her free time, Manahel enjoys riding her bike, watching movies, and spending time with her family and friends.



Olin Bradley, Writer

Olin Bradley is a senior and writes for the Huguenot Herald primarily regarding the topics of finance, economics, and modern geopolitical/social issues that tie into the aforementioned subjects.  Olin is known for his interests in history, economics, and geopolitics so as to understand the present day, as well as for his artwork and particular tastes in fashion.   

Ms. McCain, an English teacher, is the current faculty advisor of the Huguenot Herald. Previous to this role, she served as an editor and journalist for numerous local and national publications. Ms. McCain began writing many (many) years ago, when she was a student at New Rochelle High School. She currently teaches Journalism. 

Ben Feinblum is a senior in his fourth year with the Huguenot Herald. He enjoys covering new tech products, political issues, and district-specific issues. He is the head photographer for Sports Central, former New Rochelle High School GO president, and runs his own digital content creation business, Ben Feinblum Media. His writing has been featured on ABC, CBS, News 12 Westchester, The Journal News, Talk of The Sound, and Buzzfeed News. In his free time, Ben is an avid skier, traveler, and photographer.

Follow @ben.feinblum on Instagram

Isabella Balchan, Writer (Class of 2023)

Isabella is a senior and this is her fourth year with the Huguenot Herald. She enjoys sharing her love of cooking through her “Off the Shelf” column, a series that celebrates the diversity of food and culture that Isabella is passionate about.   

Emily Lopez, Writer (Class of 2023)

Emily Lopez is a junior in his third year of high school. It is his first year with the Huguenot Herald and he loves it. In his free time Emily likes to make fashion for his art class, read long novels, and study politics and economics. 

Shelby Sussner, Writer (Class of 2023)

Shelby is a Junior who enjoys writing about her opinions and reactions to events and topics. Shelby is a member of many clubs including Hope From the Heart, Quaranteen Tutors, and is the President of the Jewish Activists and Allies club. She loves reading murder mystery novels and learning about anatomy, alongside playing clarinet for the New Rochelle High School Band.

Rebecca Ploski, Writer (Class of 2023)

Rebecca is a Junior and this is her second year with the Huguenot Herald. She enjoys writing about politics and her opinions on just about anything. Outside of the Herald, she loves to read about current events, go on walks, and learn about elections and all of the candidates running in them. 

Julia Ecker, Writer (Class of 2023)

Julia is a Junior, and this is her second year with the Huguenot Herald. She enjoys writing about politics, current events, and social-emotional aspects of society. During her free time she enjoys playing the piano, and reading coming-of-age novels and memoirs. 

Reine Kim, Writer (Class of 2023)

Reine is a Junior who likes writing pieces involving personal reflection and critical thinking, such as various philosophies and ideas. Outside of the Huguenot Herald, Reine enjoys playing the cello, watching documentaries, and trying new foods. 

Riya is a Sophmore and this is her second year with the Huguenot Herald. She enjoys writing about current events, entertainment, and environmental issues. She also enjoys reading, baking, and hiking in her free time. 

Nila Roper, Writer  (Class of 2022)

Nila Roper is a senior, and this is her second year with the Huguenot Herald. She loves writing because of the power it has to educate, influence and empower, and she truly believes that it can change the world. Her other passions include dance, music and social justice. Some other groups she is a part of are English Honors Society, Ignite, PAVE Dance and FEMpowerMENt, New Rochelle High School’s gender equality club, which she is co-president of. 

Connor is a Senior, and this is his third year being part of the Huguenot Herald. He enjoys writing about politics and current events. Connor is part of the Swim team and is an Ignite mentor. Connor always likes to explore new topics and write about them. He likes to ride his bike and drive.

Lily Spertus Newman, Editor in Chief (Class of 2022)

Lily is a senior and has been with the Huguenot Herald for several years now. She is so excited to be Editor-In-Chief this year! Lily has loved writing since she could first pick up a pencil. For Lily, writing acts as a creative outlet that helps her make sense of the world. Lily enjoys writing about all sorts of things from school-related issues to anthropology to both historical and current events and enjoys learning from different perspectives. 

Maribela Dias, Writer (Class of 2022)

Maribela Dias is currently a Senior at New Rochelle High School. She is so excited to have joined the Huguenot Herald and cannot wait to explore more of our school and community through writing! Growing up, Maribela wrote mini books using printer paper, a stapler, and her vivid imagination. Her favorite topic to write about is the deep, mind-bending topics that can’t be explained or proven. Maribela is also starting a blog where she can discuss some of these unexplainable mysteries as well as try out new things and write about them!