“One of the most inspiring women in my life is my little sister. At only 15, she is one of the most hardworking, passionate, get-up-and-do-it girls I’ve encountered. She has the biggest heart and prioritizes others’ needs over her own in every circumstance. When she sees injustice in the world, she corrects it. I’ll continue to learn and source inspiration from her.” – Grace Hamilton, Editor-in-Chief
Photo courtesy of Grace Hamilton
“Clarissa Ward is really admirable because she is both a mother and a journalist. The fact that she’s simultaneously a mother and working on the front lines is very inspiring. Her commitment to truth and telling stories is admirable.” – Gabrielle Meidar, Deputy Editor-in-Chief: Print
Photo by Louisa Avery
“I admire my sisters because they’re always there for me no matter how aggravating or annoying I am. I know that even when we have our disputes, we’ll eventually overcome them. I’ll always have them to rely on even when they’re thousands of miles away. A part of them will come with me wherever I go.” – Daniel de Beer, Deputy Editor-in-Chief: Online
Photo courtesy of Daniel de Beer
“I admire Mrs. Avery, my journalism adviser, because she is an amazing leader and she’s taught me and all the other staff members everything we know about journalism. She’s created a wonderful journalism community.” – Nick Zirinis, Lead News Editor
Photo by Grace Hamilton
“I appreciate journalist Marie Colvin because a couple of years ago I read a biography and was inspired by the sacrifices she made to tell the truth and produce quality journalism. She shows the important role that journalist plays, which relates to our role on The Standard covering important issues and educating the community.” – Sophia Bassi, News Editor: Online
Photo used with permission from Flickr
“I really admire Maddie Hatzmann’s mom because she’s very dependable and she always knows the right thing to say to comfort me. In her own life, she’s a role model for strength, inspiration, doing what you love and making lasting connections. She has a lot of empathy and a lot bravery and boldness.” – Ella Podurgiel, News Editor: Print
Photo courtesy of Jennifer Hatzmann
“I look up to my mom. She quit her work in corporate law when she had my sister, Lea, and wanted to go back but had multiple miscarriages and lost hope. Now, she’s self-critical about not having a job and always tells us, ‘Don’t do what I did.’ But, she’s always there for us which is such an empowering job in itself. Sometimes, if your life takes a direction you don’t want, it doesn’t mean you don’t deserve to feel empowered. I really look up to her for that reason. She transcends what I call a powerful and strong woman.” – Mia George, Lead Opinions Editor
Photo courtesy of Mia George
“I look up to my mother because she is very hardworking and manages to take care of me along with her full-time job. She’s always pushed me to go above and beyond and do piano and take math courses that I didn’t want to do. Now that I’m older, I’m grateful for what she’s done. She’s just an amazing person.” – Antoine Warnery, Opinions Editor: Online
Photo courtesy of Antoine Warnery
“I appreciate Theo Yardley because she is really cool. I’ve had dinners at their house and she is so active and just has a ton of interesting stories to share. She once said, ‘There are some things in life that you can’t explain, you just have to feel.’ Her outlook on life is so positive. She’s so empowering.” – Emma Lucas, Opinions Editor: Print
Photo courtesy of Emma Lucas
“I appreciate Ms. Krumich because she is such a lovely, humble person and always knows exactly what to say. She is so emotionally intelligent and has such a deep knowledge of literature. One thing I really appreciate about her and replicate in my life is her wide perspectives and how she always tries to find different perspectives and marginalized perspectives. I love the way she teaches – it’s super powerful and innovative and necessary.” – Rudi Chamria, Lead Features Editor
Photo courtesy of Phoebe Krumich
“I love climate activist Xiye Bastida. I learned about her for the first time in a New York Times panel, and I started following her on Instagram. I really appreciate the work she’s done, especially with her writing in the book ‘All We Can Save.’ She wrote all about indigenous communities, and she’s a huge inspiration for me with intersectionality in climate change.” – Eva Marriott-Fabre, Features Editor: Online
Photo used with permission from Lermaholic/Wikimedia Commons
“I admire my grandmother, who passed away a few years ago. I called her Oma, which is grandmother in Dutch. She was just incredibly persistent and resilient and had a really good attitude about life and took everything as it came, which was always really inspiring. She lived everyday to the fullest and was so kind to me and my family. I aspire to be like her.” – Eden Leavey, Features Editor: Print
Photo courtesy of Eden Leavey
“I admire my mom because she was a teacher before I was born, and after 12 years of not teaching, she went back to teaching at ASL and is currently a teacher. I admire her ability to prioritze things in her life and balance her interest in working with kids. I admire the way she's able to look at what was worth pursuing, including kids when she had them. She pours 100% of herself into everything, which has taught me how to stay committed to certain goals and follow through on those things and always be dedicated to others and work to achieve what you have decided for yourself is important to you.” – Clara Martinez, Lead Culture Editor
Photo courtesy of Clara Martinez
“I am very inspired by Ms. Statz because she is somebody that has helped me overcome a lot of my struggles, both with my learning disability and other struggles at school. She is so understanding of all of her students and truly has a love for what she does and the students she supports. I can wholeheartedly put my trust in her and I would love to be like her when I grow up.” – Maarya Shafqat Adil, Culture Editor: Online
Photo courtesy of Maarya Adil
“I admire my mom because she has pursued a non-traditional career path, where she was an artist and now is a writer. It’s inspiring that she switched careers later in her life after having children to be true to what she wants.” – Anahi Pellathy, Culture Editor: Print
Photo courtesy of Anahi Pellathy
“I appreciate my mom because her hard work and determination make her a role model for me.” – Spencer Towfighi, Lead Sports Editor
Photo courtesy of Spencer Towfighi
“My sister is someone I look up to because I really value her character and what makes her such a good person. I use her as a beacon for what I should be like.” – Tristan Weiss, Sports Editor: Online
Photo courtesy of Tristan Weiss
“I love Ms. Hamadache because she is a very outgoing and supportive person as I’ve seen from taking AP Spanish with her. I don’t have class with her anymore but she’s always fun to talk to and I really aspire to have that energy because it makes the world a better place.” – Elena Alexander, Sports Editor: Print
Photo courtesy of Elena Alexander