Andrea Lee, 16

Andrea is currently a junior in high school. This is her second year on the editorial board. She became interested in SEX, ETC. because she loves to write. “I also honestly believe that teens talking to their peers about sexuality education is very beneficial,” she says. Andrea plans to join her high school’s literary magazine. She is also a peer educator for Teen PEP, a teen peer/sexual education group. Andrea enjoys writing, dancing, and playing and listening to music. One of her biggest goals now is to do as much work as possible as a peer educator through SEX, ETC. and Teen PEP. She is also concentrating hard on schoolwork, so she can get into a good college next year and further her plans to help others.

Daryl Hawkins, 16

A junior in high school, Daryl has a passion for photography and music, and he enjoys writing about anything. He’s also a huge sports fanatic and knows important sports stats that date back to 1986. He is currently the editor-in-chief of his high school newspaper, The Benedict News, and poetry editor of his school’s literary magazine. He would like to go to college and major in journalism or literature. His ultimate life goal is to win the Pulitzer Prize. Daryl hopes that SEX, ETC. will increase his knowledge of teen issues.

Emanuel Anzules, 17

Although terrified of rodents, Emanuel was dubbed “Mighty Mouse” by his Marine drill instructors. Emanuel (or “Manny”) was the smallest freshman at his ROTC boot camp. But, like the rodent superhero, his strength made up for his size. Emanuel’s perky expression can be seen at many school events. He has been class president for four consecutive years, battalion commander at ROTC, editorial staff member for the Yearbook Club, and actor in his school’s production of Grease. He’s also the editor-in-chief of The Cadet, an ROTC publication. Emanuel hopes to report on teen pregnancy, male body image, and abuse for SEX, ETC. As for the future, he hopes to attend New York University and major in prelaw and theater arts. When he isn’t in a whirlwind of work, Emanuel loves to watch TV, listen to pop music, surf the Internet, and practice for a future spot on The Real World. The future actor-lawyer believes that “if you can dream it, you can achieve it.”
—Jennifer Z. Gong

Jennifer Z. Gong, 17

Born in Shanghai, China, Jennifer came to the United States when she was only five years old. A senior, she is a member of the National Honor Society, Spanish Honor Society, and Quill and Scroll, and vice president of the art club. She’s also poetry editor and art contributor for her school’s literary magazine, La Boheme, and opinion editor for the school newspaper, Hawkeye. Her hobbies include reading, writing, and painting. Jennifer speaks and writes Chinese, English, and Spanish; plays the piano and violin; fears butterflies; and refuses to be labeled. She is interested in many teen issues, such as drug and alcohol abuse, teen-to-teen abuse, gay-lesbian-bisexual-transgender issues, and relationships. She believes that teens get into relationships because of the herd mentality. “Teens need to identify themselves before identifying with others,” she says. After high school, Jennifer hopes to attend Stanford University, majoring in either prelaw or biology/genetics, or Cal Tech, majoring in physics or biology. One of her life aspirations is to be well known by the professional community of her choice. Jennifer’s innate leadership and affable personality will take her where she wants to go, and maybe even farther.

LéaTrice Doctor, 15

LéaTrice is the youngest member of this year’s editorial board. Though only a sophomore, she is definitely not content to be seen and not heard! When she isn’t working on SEX, ETC., LéaTrice can be found singing, dancing in a competitive dance circuit, or playing tennis. Her dance teacher is one of her role models, because she kept LéaTrice dancing even when she wanted to quit. Her other role model is her mother. LéaTrice joined SEX, ETC. to increase her knowledge of sexual health issues and refine her writing skills. Her other interests include music and reading. Her favorite book is Fly Girl. Her future plans are to go to college and major in computer engineering or analysis, or become a professional dancer. Her life motto is “Life’s too short to worry about petty stuff.” Wise words indeed! —Acacia Stevens

Martyna Majok, 17

Martyna, a senior, brings grit and dedication to the SEX, ETC. staff. Born in Bytom, Poland, she immigrated to the United States when she was five years old. A fun-loving young woman, Martyna enjoys photography and art. In addition to her position with SEX, ETC., Martyna holds four other jobs. She is a waitress, hostess, translator, and actor. She performs with Tova Productions in In Each Others’ Eyes, a tribute to 9/11 focusing on immigrants’ responses to the day. Despite these commitments, Martyna still manages to be active at school. She is the vice president of her school’s End Racism and Sexism Everywhere club, and an active member of the Student Government and National Honor Society. She is president of her school’s art club. She wants to start new clubs, including the Gay-Straight Alliance and Youth NOW. As a victim of childhood sexual assault, Martyna wishes to bring her past experiences to SEX, ETC. in the hope that others can avoid these problems. “I have this fear that females will become passive and submissive in their lives. I want to stress the importance of standing up for yourself,” she says.

Migdalia Roman, 18

As an editor, Migdalia (or “Maggie”) would like to report on the importance of visiting the doctor regularly. She joined SEX, ETC. to first educate herself and, in turn, educate her peers on safe sexual behavior. She stresses that there are always choices in life, and teens need to understand their choices. Outside of the SEX, ETC. meeting room, Migdalia enjoys sewing and embroidering, and eating any form of pasta while watching a Marilyn Monroe movie (like The Seven Year Itch). To burn off that pasta, Maggie plays tennis for her school while doubling as a manager for the boys’ tennis team. Then she whisks herself away to volunteer for the athletic director, just to fly down afterward to her receptionist job at a transportation center. Looking to the future, Maggie would like to attend Georgian Court College and major in English literature and education. She wants to become a teacher. Maggie wishes to achieve her “American Dream,” which is to go to college and become successful, and have a good companion, as many kids as possible, and a beautiful home with a white picket fence.

Syed Uddin, 17

Syed (or “Sammy”) is a versatile and talented young man. He is a master of five languages: English, Hindi, Urdu, Farsi, and Bengali. He is active at school, where he is president of the class of 2003 and the 2003 Student Council Parliamentarian. Sammy can also be found in Future Business Leaders of America meetings, debating in the End Racism and Sexism Everywhere club, lending a helping hand in the American Legion Boys State, and playing a stock-market game in the Academy of Finance. Sammy also volunteers for AmeriCorps, American Red Cross, UNICEF, and Habitat for Humanity. Sammy’s hobbies span the athletic and artistic fields—they include baseball, football, wrestling, weightlifting, boxing, writing, and reading poetry. He writes and edits for his school’s Literary Society. Sammy looks forward to a bright future. He plans to attend Rutgers University, Pennsylvania State University, or Daniel Webster College, and double major in finance and political science. With this much talent and diligence, Sammy easily follows his personal motto: “Plan your work. Work your plan.”