Photo by Scott Houston Photography Laura, 17

Seventeen-year-old Laura is the captain of her school's kick line team (think Rockettes), student council vice president and a National Honor Society member. Laura looks forward to educating teens about alcohol and drug abuse, body image, self-esteem and eating disorders. She believes that "in today’s society, there’s a lot of emphasis on people who are very thin, frail and visibly suffering from anorexia, while the average-looking teen who is suffering with an eating disorder falls under the radar." In the future, Laura plans to attend Brown University and join the Peace Corps.

—Cynthia Lam, 15

Photo by Scott Houston Photography Joy, 16

Joy, a 16-year-old high school junior, is a first-year member of the Sex, Etc. staff. She is an honor roll student who loves reading, writing and music. Her favorite band is Bring Me the Horizon. Joy hopes "to help her friends and readers get serious about safer sex" by writing for Sex, Etc. She is a very spiritual person and a strong supporter of animal rights. Joy's compassion and open-mindedness make her a valuable member of the editorial staff. She plans to one day study legal journalism at the University of Arizona.

—Matthew R. Farrell, 18

Photo by Scott Houston Photography Cydney, 17

Seventeen-year-old Cydney is her school's student government merchandise liaison, vice president of the English honor society, yearbook editor, treasurer of the drama club and the head anchor for her school’s morning news. Despite her full schedule, she still finds time to write for Sex, Etc. It’s her second year on the staff, and she’s more passionate than ever about making a difference in sexuality education. Cydney dreams of getting her Ph.D. in child psychology, teaching early education and being fluent in five languages by the time she’s fifty.

—Sabrina Piedra, 15

Photo by Scott Houston Photography Courtenay, 16

At 5 feet 3 inches, sixteen-year-old Courtenay isn’t intimidating, but once you find out about her training in Tae Kwon Do, the leadership positions she has held in student government and her aspirations to be a broadcast journalist, you realize she’s a force to be reckoned with. Courtenay is writing for Sex, Etc. to "let teens know that it’s OK to talk about sex." She enjoys working at Sex, Etc. and says, "Sex, Etc. is a great source for teenagers who need help but can't always talk to their parents about it. I am happy to be a part of a staff that helps people."

—Tate Hewitt, 17

Photo by Scott Houston Photography Leora, 17

Seventeen-year-old Leora is excited to be returning for a second year on the editorial staff of Sex, Etc. "Working at Sex, Etc. is really important to me because all teenagers deserve to be given honest and accurate information, especially about sexual health." Leora is most passionate about lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer (LGBTQ) issues and supporting teens in making informed choices about whether to have sex or not. Leora is also involved in dance, musical theater and singing. She is a part of the Nassau Music Educators Association All-County Chorus, and she has participated in the New York State School Music Association Solo Festival. She would like to attend the University of Hartford in the fall of 2009.

—Elizabeth Gyori, 17

Photo by Scott Houston Photography Desiree, 17

While Desiree, 17, was scanning the magazine collection in the library at her school, she found Sex Etc. and fell in love. She plans to write about tough topics like abortion, rape and teen pregnancy. She believes that teens need more information to reduce abortion and teen pregnancy rates. "It’s important that teens are knowledgeable about safer sex because there are so many myths about sex out there." When Desiree isn’t busy creating collages or writing poetry, she’s learning about other cultures. She plans to study cultural anthropology in college.

—Mika Padawer, 17

Photo by Scott Houston Photography Matthew, 18

Matthew, 18, is a new member of the Sex, Etc. editorial staff. He is politically active in the Democratic Party and organizations, like Moveon.org. Matt is first in his class and has taken courses at The College of William and Mary and New York University. "I have been interested in sex education for a long time", Matthew explains, "and I hope to use my experience to help teens without access to comprehensive sex ed." He plans to study journalism and eventually work for magazines like Rolling Stone.

—Joy Baggaley, 17

Photo by Scott Houston Photography Erica, 17

Seventeen-year-old Erica is the editor-in-chief of her school's newspaper, The Cauldron, and she recently attended the Hugh N. Boyd Journalism Diversity Workshop. Erica joined the Sex, Etc. staff because she feels passionately about writing and sex education. "I believe that sex is a normal, healthy aspect of life that should be openly discussed," she explains. Erica is interested in writing about relationships and body image. She has played the violin for ten years and is now the president of her school's orchestra. When Erica has time to travel, she enjoys rappelling castles in the United Kingdom.

—Nick Garafola, 18

Photo by Scott Houston Photography Nick, 18

Nick Garafola, 18, is enthusiastic about writing about LBGTQ and dating issues for Sex, Etc. "I’m very passionate about sex education," he says. At school, Nick is the president of his school’s gay-straight alliance. He plans to pursue environmental studies in college. In his spare time, Nick enjoys cooking, painting and biking. Nick is an avid runner who recently completed a half marathon that benefited The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society.

—Erica Fernandes, 17

Photo by Scott Houston Photography Elizabeth, 17

"The be-all and end-all goal is to make a difference, make an impact no matter how small, before I die," says 17-year-old Elizabeth. As president of her school's chapter of the Junior State of America, she is not afraid to voice her opinion. She enjoys writing, reading and fencing competitively. Writing for Sex, Etc. is important to her because she feels that teens need honest sexual health information in a way that is accessible and easy to understand so they can protect themselves. Elizabeth hopes to go into journalism but is keeping her options open. "I might wind up working for Amnesty International or go to law school." No matter what she decides to do, we can be sure to expect great things from her.

—Leora Cohen-Rosenberg, 17

Photo by Scott Houston Photography Tate, 17

"Sex is not taken seriously in our culture," says Tate, a 17-year-old high school senior. He believes that sex education is vital for teenagers who need honest information about sexuality. Self-esteem, abstinence and the degradation of sex in the media are just a few of the topics he is excited to write about for Sex, Etc. Tate is involved with several clubs at his school and also runs cross country. In his spare time, he listens to several types of music: punk, jazz and classic rock.

—Courtenay Brown, 16

Photo by Scott Houston Photography Cynthia, 15

When 15-year-old Cynthia first read Sex, Etc. in health class, she was surprised to learn that the staff was comprised of teens. Now that she has joined the Sex, Etc. staff, she plans to address the negative influence the media has on teens’ body image and self-esteem. Cynthia believes it is extremely important to reach out and get involved in something you are passionate about, which she has done through her involvement in student government and the community service club at her school. Cynthia hopes to one day become a justice of the United States Supreme Court and write her "great American novel."

—Laura Alonge, 17

Photo by Scott Houston Photography Anita, 16

Sixteen-year-old Anita is enthusiastic about working for Sex, Etc. and helping teens get vital sexual health information. She learned about writing for Sex, Etc. through the Hugh N. Boyd Journalism Diversity Workshop. Anita would love to become a reporter for a magazine or newspaper, like The New York Times in the near future. She is the editor-in-chief of her school newspaper, The Viking Vibe. Anita hopes that by writing for Sex, Etc. she’ll gain an understanding of how a magazine runs and what it takes to be a professional writer.

—Zuri Franklin Plair, 16
 

Photo by Scott Houston Photography Mika, 17

Seventeen-year-old Mika loves dancing and is a big hip-hop fan. "I have been dancing since the age of two and doing hip-hop since the age of 12." Mika is also quite the traveler. She has spent time in Peru, Mexico, France, Spain, England, Canada and Antigua. When she’s not globe-trotting, Mika is active in organizations like Students Against Drunk Driving, which she founded at her school. She hopes that her writing for Sex Etc. will make more teens aware of sexual health and body image issues. "Teenagers need to know the facts so they can make wise decisions."

—Cierra Hinton, 17

Photo by Scott Houston Photography Lila, 17

Lila, 17, is far wiser than her years. She wants "to show people who have been in less than perfect relationships—or who have struggled with any issue covered by Sex, Etc.—that they are not alone." She looks forward to writing about relationships and tackling difficult topics, like rape. Lila lives in a quaint town, but there’s nothing quaint about her, sporting twenty-three body piercings and a key chain complete with mace. Her affable nature and infectious laughter make Lila a lovely addition to the Sex, Etc. staff.

—Hilary Zipperstein, 17

Photo by Scott Houston Photography Sabrina, 15

After 15-year-old Sabrina’s first visit to Sexetc.org, she "fell in love" with the site. As a first-year staff writer, she plans to write about birth control, abortion and LGBTQ issues. Sabrina says, "I feel obligated to share what I have learned about sexual health with those that haven’t had the opportunity to get the facts." She is a huge animal rights activist, a vegetarian and a member of People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals. She also spends her time playing snare on drum core and volunteering at St. Joseph’s Regional Medical Center and Camp Sunshine for children and young adults with multiple disabilities. Sabrina hopes to one day become a psychologist.

—Tiko Tjiptarto, 17

Photo by Scott Houston Photography Zuri, 16

Zuri, a 16-year-old high school senior, is an active member of the Lindsey Meyer Teen Institute’s (LMTI’s) Youth Advisory Council. Through LMTI, Zuri devotes several days a month to "helping healthy kids stay away from drugs and promoting 'natural highs.'" It was through her school’s LMTI club that she learned about the opportunity to write for Sex, Etc. As a staff writer for Sex, Etc., Zuri wants to help teens who have sexual health questions. "I also came to gain some sexual health knowledge and to hear what other teens think of the issues, too." Zuri hopes to attend Syracuse University to study political science and Spanish and to one day become a broadcast journalist.

—Anita Modi, 16

Photo by Scott Houston Photography Tiko, 17

Tiko, 17, has created her own literary world by blogging. She loves writing and is excited to begin her first year on the Sex, Etc. staff. She looks forward to gaining some experience in journalism and contributing her unique perspective. "In Muslim culture," Tiko says, "it’s taboo to even talk about sex. Our generation is all about changes in perspective. I would like to bring mine to the magazine." In the future, Tiko hopes to write fiction and editorials for a fashion magazine.

—Cydney Bain, 17

Photo by Scott Houston Photography Hilary, 17

Hilary is passionate about writing for Sex, Etc. and hopes to encourage parents to talk to their teens about sex. "Parents are devoted to their children’s well-being, but some refuse to accept our sexual health needs," says 16-year-old Hilary. She believes parents should engage teens instead of ignoring the topic of sexuality and denying the importance of sex ed. Hilary hopes that by writing for Sex, Etc. she can help support schools’ sexual education programs with factual information about sexuality. With the addition of Hilary, Sex, Etc. is in for a treat.

—Lila Philion, 17