[VIDEO] School Spotlight for Spring 2025

By Sasha Dionisio, Ila Eisenstein, Gabriela Koshnick, Grace McGovern, Lea Romar, Mia Russotto and Mina Wakeshima • March 27, 2025

The apprentice editors and contributors in Journalism II broke out cameras and mics to shine a spotlight on what’s happening in the halls of West Essex this spring. Here’s a roundup of some of the exciting projects and activities that teachers, classes, clubs and extracurriculars have been doing lately!

Features on: School Safety Officers, Ice Hockey and Culinary Arts

Behind the Badge: School Safety Officers Frank Romayo and Bobby Hitson

by Lea Romar and Mia Russotto

Apprentice Editor Lea Romar and Staff Writer Mia Russotto speak with West Essex’s school safety officers, Frank Romayo and Robert Hitson, to uncover what life is like behind the badge. From building connections with students to ensuring a secure environment, discover how they balance protection and approachability to create a safe space for everyone.

West Essex Hockey Takes the Ice

by Sasha Dionisio, Gabriela Koshnick and Grace McGovern

Bringing students from two rival schools together isn’t easy, but the West Essex Ice Hockey team finds a way to make it work — at least during hockey season. Shining the spotlight on the hockey team are apprentice Editors Grace McGovern, Gabriela Koshnick and Sasha Dionisio.

Turning Tables with Culinary Arts

by Ila Eisenstein and Mina Wakeshima

The menu in West Essex’s Culinary Arts classes has been refreshed this year, and Apprentice Editors Ila Eisenstein and Mina Wakeshima speak to Chefs Robert Eckert and Michael DelaPaz about their kitchen’s brand-new renovation and what their classes are serving up.

Behind the Bylines

Sasha Dionisio, Apprentice Editor

Sasha Dionisio is a 2024-2025 apprentice editor for The Wessex Wire. In her free time you can find her writing up articles, reading her favorite books, watching a Manchester United match or at the rink figure skating. She loves to try baking with her friends or watching her favorite TV shows and movies like Ted Lasso or Tangled.

Ila Eisenstein, Apprentice Editor

Ila Eisenstein is an apprentice editor on the 2024-2025 Wessex Wire. She plays on the West Essex girl’s JV tennis team and is a dancer. Ila likes to spend time with friends and family. She loves spending her summers at sleepaway camp with her friends.

Gabriela Koshnick, Apprentice Editor

Gabriela Koshnick is an apprentice editor for The Wessex Wire (2024-2025). When she isn’t working on keeping her grade in the A range, you can find her listening to music in the hallways. She enjoys writing poetry and churning out unfinished ideas for stories. In her free time after school, she watches movies with her 7-year-old cat, Pumpkin.

Grace McGovern, Apprentice Editor

Grace McGovern is an apprentice editor for the 2024-2025 Wessex Wire. She enjoys spending time with friends, family, traveling and shopping. When she isn’t doing any of these things, you can find her playing basketball or listening to music.

Lea Romar, Apprentice Editor

Lea Romar, pronounced Lay-Uh, is an Apprentice Editor for the 2024-2025 Wessex Wire. You will always see her smiling and singing. She loves musical theater, spending time with her best friends, and binge watching Netflix. She is currently obsessed with “The Great Gatsby” musical after watching her favorite Broadway actress, Eva Noblezada, star in it.

Mia Russotto, Correspondent

Mia Russotto is a Senior Correspondent on the Wessex Wire. She is the captain of the West Essex Varsity Dance Team and is a cheerleader as well. When she’s not dancing or cheerleading, you can find her hanging out with friends, listening to Taylor Swift, playing with her dog or eating her favorite thing in the whole world: Nutella.

Mina Wakeshima, Correspondent

Mina Wakeshima is a sophomore correspondent for The Wessex Wire. In her free time you’ll find her reading, hanging out with her friends, playing the ukulele, writing and watching her favorite movies, The Lord of The Rings or How To Train Your Dragon. She loves almost all kinds of music but frequently blasts Conan Gray, Hozier, The Foo Fighters and more.