Alina Chisti, Editor-in-Chief
Alina Chisti is a junior honors student in high school. She has been named student of the year for her class for the past two years. She founded her own non-profit tutoring organization called A+ Tutoring. In addition to tutoring, Alina also volunteers for Hospice of the Valley, Friends for Life Animal Rescue, Helping Hands, ICNA relief, FMSC, and Red Cross. When she is not studying or volunteering, she loves theatre and script writing. She has been actively involved in theatre for seven years. Alina’s other hobbies include archery, cooking, hiking, guitar, ukulele, listening to music, spending time with her family, creating unique looks with makeup, and playing with her two orange tabby cats.
Surabhi Sajith, Managing Editor
Surabhi Sajith is a junior in high school. She has been pursuing her passion for dance for past ten years and enjoys learning Carnatic music and writing. She participates in diverse events and had won the Phoenix Rotary 100 speech contest, the regional school bee, and several dance competitions. Surabhi has worked to raise money for many charity events, and continues to give back to the community through peer tutoring as Math Sprouts tutor in Tempe, Arizona, volunteering at Chinmaya mission and Maricopa Integrated Health, and teaching dance to younger children. At school, she is a Student Representative and is part of the Leadership Society, which plans school events.
Alina Chisti is a junior honors student in high school. She has been named student of the year for her class for the past two years. She founded her own non-profit tutoring organization called A+ Tutoring. In addition to tutoring, Alina also volunteers for Hospice of the Valley, Friends for Life Animal Rescue, Helping Hands, ICNA relief, FMSC, and Red Cross. When she is not studying or volunteering, she loves theatre and script writing. She has been actively involved in theatre for seven years. Alina’s other hobbies include archery, cooking, hiking, guitar, ukulele, listening to music, spending time with her family, creating unique looks with makeup, and playing with her two orange tabby cats.
Surabhi Sajith, Managing Editor
Surabhi Sajith is a junior in high school. She has been pursuing her passion for dance for past ten years and enjoys learning Carnatic music and writing. She participates in diverse events and had won the Phoenix Rotary 100 speech contest, the regional school bee, and several dance competitions. Surabhi has worked to raise money for many charity events, and continues to give back to the community through peer tutoring as Math Sprouts tutor in Tempe, Arizona, volunteering at Chinmaya mission and Maricopa Integrated Health, and teaching dance to younger children. At school, she is a Student Representative and is part of the Leadership Society, which plans school events.
Editorial Staff
Jillian Bartz is a senior in high school. This year she is her school’s DECA president and French Club treasurer. She is also involved in Thunder Buddies, Link Crew Administration, and FBLA. When she is not studying or editing, she enjoys spending time with her two cats and sleeping— she really likes sleeping. After graduating from high school, she plans to visit Paris before entering college as a finance major.
Isabella Ferrero is a junior in high school. She is President of the Tri-M Music Honors Society which brings music to the community through volunteering, and is involved in multiple bands outside of school such as the Harmony Project's Latin-Caribbean Orchestra where she plays trumpet. Beyond music and school, Isabella spends her time dreaming up characters and using her life experiences to create stories. In her spare time, she plays ukulele, sings, spends time with family, bakes, plays with her dog, and tries new makeup looks. She loves to create memories with her friends and bring smiles to their faces. Isabella plans on being an author. You can find some of her work on Instagram @isaferwriting.
Ava Kim a junior in high school. She writes in her spare time and has published multiple times for this magazine and Blue Guitar Jr. Her future goal is to publish a book one day. You can find her artwork on Instagram @disnstq.
Rachel Woosley is a junior in high school. She enjoys drawing, writing, and spending time with her friends. Her short stories and poems have been published in The Blue Guitar Literary and Arts Magazine, and Blue Guitar Jr.
Jillian Bartz is a senior in high school. This year she is her school’s DECA president and French Club treasurer. She is also involved in Thunder Buddies, Link Crew Administration, and FBLA. When she is not studying or editing, she enjoys spending time with her two cats and sleeping— she really likes sleeping. After graduating from high school, she plans to visit Paris before entering college as a finance major.
Isabella Ferrero is a junior in high school. She is President of the Tri-M Music Honors Society which brings music to the community through volunteering, and is involved in multiple bands outside of school such as the Harmony Project's Latin-Caribbean Orchestra where she plays trumpet. Beyond music and school, Isabella spends her time dreaming up characters and using her life experiences to create stories. In her spare time, she plays ukulele, sings, spends time with family, bakes, plays with her dog, and tries new makeup looks. She loves to create memories with her friends and bring smiles to their faces. Isabella plans on being an author. You can find some of her work on Instagram @isaferwriting.
Ava Kim a junior in high school. She writes in her spare time and has published multiple times for this magazine and Blue Guitar Jr. Her future goal is to publish a book one day. You can find her artwork on Instagram @disnstq.
Rachel Woosley is a junior in high school. She enjoys drawing, writing, and spending time with her friends. Her short stories and poems have been published in The Blue Guitar Literary and Arts Magazine, and Blue Guitar Jr.
Lysette Cohen, Founder/Advisor
Lysette Cohen holds a M.Ed. in Education from Northern Arizona University and a M.A. in English and Creative Writing from Southern New Hampshire University. Currently she is working on a PhD in Curriculum, Instruction, Assessment, and Evaluation at Walden University. She has been an educator for almost 20 years teaching GED, English, and American History. In 2019, she started Ink & Feather Literary and Arts Journal as a platform for teens to develop their voice and share their creativity. Lysette has traveled extensively, but currently makes her home in Phoenix, Arizona. Her nonfiction essays, short stories and poems can be found in Page & Spine, The Penman Review, The Scarlet Leaf, Unstrung, Blue Guitar Jr., and The Blue Guitar Literary and Arts Magazine.
Lysette Cohen holds a M.Ed. in Education from Northern Arizona University and a M.A. in English and Creative Writing from Southern New Hampshire University. Currently she is working on a PhD in Curriculum, Instruction, Assessment, and Evaluation at Walden University. She has been an educator for almost 20 years teaching GED, English, and American History. In 2019, she started Ink & Feather Literary and Arts Journal as a platform for teens to develop their voice and share their creativity. Lysette has traveled extensively, but currently makes her home in Phoenix, Arizona. Her nonfiction essays, short stories and poems can be found in Page & Spine, The Penman Review, The Scarlet Leaf, Unstrung, Blue Guitar Jr., and The Blue Guitar Literary and Arts Magazine.