Meet the Staff

Anya Geist - Hello! I'm in eleventh grade, and I have loved to write for nearly my entire life. My favorite thing about writing is creating sentences and paragraphs that flow well together and give off a specific atmosphere to the reader. I specifically like writing vignettes, because they are short pieces in which I can use a lot of figurative language :) In addition to writing, some things I enjoy include: reading, traveling, swimming, playing tennis, and playing with my dog, Freya!

Denisa Iljas - Hello! I am in eleventh grade, and I love writing because it allows writers to creatively express their thoughts. Specifically, my favorite pieces of writing are explanatory essays because I like to expand topics in abstract ways. Outside of writing, some of my favorite activities are: playing volleyball, going to the beach, reading, and writing in calligraphy. 

Ms. Bishop - Hello!  My name is Alexandra Bishop, and I am currently an English teacher at South High Community School!  I graduated from Worcester State University with a Major in English and a Minor in Secondary Education, and am currently working towards my Masters of Education at Fitchburg State University.  I've worked previously as a Writing Center consultant, and used to teach Creative Writing, so I've plenty of experience with both academic and creative writing genres. I'm looking forward to seeing the works that get submitted to the Apricot Journal!

Mrs. Eressy - Hello! I am Mrs. Eressy, and I teach 9th grade English in the Arts and Goddard Scholars Academies. This is my third year teaching at South, and I have previously taught ELA and Drama at the middle school level. One of the best parts about teaching is getting to see how students express themselves creatively, so I am so excited to be a part of this organization and to encourage students to write outside of the classroom setting. 

Natalie Boucher - Hi, I’m Natalie! I’m a junior and one of the editors of the Apricot Journal. I love reading and writing, as well as skiing, traveling, and hiking. My favorite thing about writing is how it highlights the unique experiences of different people. Everyone has a different perspective, and a different story to tell!

Daniel Arnold - Hi everyone. I’m Daniel, a senior and an editor of the Apricot Journal. My hobbies include reading, writing, and fencing. I love writing for its ability to reflect the world, say something, and to make a statement.

Benedict Morrow - Hello! I am a junior at South, and am an editor for the Apricot Journal. I love reading and playing video games. Besides the Journal I have also participated in Model United Nations and Science Olympiad. I also love creative writing. I can’t wait to see the writing that people submit to the journal!

Christine Lam - Hello hello!! I’m a senior here at South and I’m in charge of magazine layout and editing for the Apricot Journal! Throughout my youth, I have always been affiliated with the arts. This shows through a number of my hobbies such as fashion, makeup, music, and cooking. Of course, this also includes the literary arts. Looking beyond the tedious essays we all must write, I absolutely adore creative writing and journaling. Likewise to my fellow staff members, I hold writing in high regard in the aspect that it is a fantastic outlet for expression. 

Jenny Huynh - Hey! I’m a sophomore and I’m the Social Media assistant for the magazine! I have many hobbies, among them is writing. Specifically, I enjoy current event essays and creative writing the most. Personally I view writing as a universal form of expression. The possibilities are endless when it comes to writing, they’re so many ways to express one's feelings and emotions through writing. Some of my other hobbies include playing volleyball, reading, watching true crime podcasts, and watching historical documentaries!