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.”

Mark describes himself as “the kind of person people come to for advice. I’m sort of an amateur psychologist.” He wants to become successful and make his parents proud. “They have sacrificed so much for me, it’s like I'm giving back,” he says. Mark likes to write stories that leave a lasting impression. He hopes that, in the process, he can educate others. Mark, who’s involved with various school clubs, has been editor of his high school newspaper. He also volunteers, sews and designs clothes, and adores karaoke. Mark has been through his fair share of bumps in the road. He overcame depression and an eating disorder. “All these things,” he says, “made me into the person I am today.”

Emily dreams of one day becoming a professional writer. With these dreams in mind, she joined the editorial board three years ago. Her ninth-grade health teacher inspired her to write about teen sexual health issues. Emily says that being on the board has increased her knowledge of teen issues. She enjoys writing stories and listening to the opinions of teens on the board and all over the country. Emily also sings and dances. When she isn’t working on articles, she spends a majority of her time doing theater at her school. Upon graduation, she hopes to continue writing and theater work at Tufts University.

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!

Melissa is a senior in high school. She found her love for writing during her freshman- and sophomore-year English courses. At first, though, she considered transferring out of her freshman-year English class. “I wasn’t used to so much writing, and I thought the teacher was strict. But I’m glad that I decided to stay, because I would've never discovered my writing talent.” This same English teacher encouraged Melissa to apply for a position on the Sex, Etc. editorial board. Melissa is also an athlete. She plays basketball, softball, and volleyball for her school and is a captain for all three sports. In her spare time, Melissa likes to shop, hang out with friends, and go to the movies. Her favorite movie is Enemy of the State. She also enjoys writing poetry and essays about world issues. She hopes to major in journalism when she goes to college.

Edmund—sometimes called “Ed,” “Eddie,” or “ET”—loves to play the African and Caribbean drums. You can also catch him watching anime or science fiction, reading manga (Japanese animation) or literature, or playing the flute. Edmund has many role models, but the ones who really stick out in his mind are Malcolm X, George Jackson, Huey P. Newton, Allen Watts, and Marcus Garvey. Edmund enjoys collecting Pez dispensers, eating fish-and-chips, and listening to his favorite CD, The Supreme Beings of Leisure. His favorite actors are Sidney Poitier and Christina Ricci. His top fantasy is to live in a self-sufficient ecosystem in the woods and meditate. His life motto is “stay black and die.” Edmund thinks that sex education should be balanced. He believes that abstinence is not realistic for all teens, but that irresponsible sex is also hurtful. Sex, Etc. has inspired Edmund to major in journalism and/or English literature in college.

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.

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.

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.

A senior, Jun speaks Chinese and Spanish. Her hobbies include playing the piano, a vital part of her life that she can’t do without. She has been playing it since the tender age of four, and received first place for New Jersey in the 2000-2001 Music Teachers National Association Student Competition. Jun takes part in many school activities. She is associate editor-in-chief of her school newspaper, Hawkeye, class representative, and a member of the National Honor Society, Spanish Honor Society, and Quill and Scroll. She also loves to read, draw, swim, and play Frisbee. After high school, Jun hopes to attend Rutgers University, Pennsylvania State University, or New York University, and double major in physics and music. She trusts that Sex, Etc. will be a stepping-stone toward greater opportunities.

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.

Claire is a multitalented junior. She is a forward on her high school’s soccer team and runs middle distance for the track team, during the winter and spring. In addition to being an athlete, Claire is a member of the Italian club. In her spare time, she cooks, works with arts and crafts, and reads her favorite series, the Harry Potter books. Her favorite subject is biology. Claire first heard about Sex, Etc. from her cousin Liz Marchetta, who was an editor from 2000–2002. She was intrigued and decided to see for herself what her cousin had experienced. After high school, Claire wants to attend college to study the sciences. She hopes to travel frequently, learn about different cultures and experience many environments. She would love to work for National Geographic someday. But, right now, she’s focused on working hard as a member of the Sex, Etc. board.

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.

Acacia is a very committed and focused individual. At school, she writes for the newspaper and plays various instruments in several ensembles. She is active in the peer mediation organization and a member of the National Honor Society and French Honor Society. She also serves her community whenever possible, participating in events like the Very Special Arts Festival. Acacia joined Sex, Etc. because she thinks it’s crucial that teens get factual information about sex. She believes in comprehensive sexual education, especially when it includes open discussion between guys and girls. She says that candid discussion can lead to greater understanding and better relations between the sexes. She plans to major in government and history in college. Her future goals are to become a magazine editor and political analyst or strategist. Acacia is grateful to everyone who has played a part in her life, especially her parents and many of her teachers, for providing such great examples of what people can and should be.