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The Student News Site of Mercer Island High School

The MIHS Islander

The Student News Site of Mercer Island High School

The MIHS Islander

The Student News Site of Mercer Island High School

The MIHS Islander

2025-2026 Staff

Lexi Krawiec
Editor-In-Chief

Lexi Krawiec

Lexi Krawiec is the Editor-in-Chief of the MIHS Islander. Over her four years in journalism, she has served as the Features Editor, Design Lead and Sports Editor. She spends her free time playing soccer, reading books, going on...

Julia Weisfield
Editor-In-Chief

Julia Weisfield

 Julia is a senior at MIHS and a fourth-year member of the MIHS Islander. In the past, she has served as managing editor and A&E lead. She loves to sing, read, and captain the MIHS Drill team. ...

Richard "Trey" Law
Managing Editor

Richard “Trey” Law

Richard Law is the Managing Editor for MIHS Islander, and he is in his third year of journalism. Outside of school, he enjoys playing lacrosse, skiing every weekend in the winter with friends, and going on runs. He is also a huge...

Elsa Zepeda Juárez
Head of Content

Elsa Zepeda Juárez

Elsa Zepeda Juárez is the Head of Content for the Islander and is in her fourth year of journalism. On the past, she has been a staff writer and Copy Editor. Outside of school, she enjoys music, knitting and DIY....

Dylan Goldhammer
Social Media & Business Manager

Dylan Goldhammer

Dylan is now in her third year at MIHS and third year on the Islander staff. In her free time she enjoys going out with friends, spending time with her family and trying new foods.

Jayce Madamba
Website Manager

Jayce Madamba

Jayce is the Website Manager of the MIHS Islander and is in his fourth year of journalism. He is the secretary of the Creative Writing Club and enjoys researching entrepreneurial ideas. During his free time, he listens to music...

Kirin Lancaster
Design Lead

Kirin Lancaster

Kirin is a senior at MIHS, and this is her fourth year on The Islander staff and third year as the Graphics Manager. Besides journalism, her passions include dancing on the Drill Team and singing/songwriting.

Zoe Bluming
Copyediting Lead

Zoe Bluming

Zoe is a senior at MIHS and this is her second year in journalism. Besides writing and editing, she likes hanging out with friends and listening to music.

Lauren Balousek
Photography Lead

Lauren Balousek

Lauren is a sophomore at MIHS and it is her second year taking journalism as a member of the Islander’s staff! In her free time, she enjoys running, skiing, hanging out with her friends and photography. ...

Angie Wang
A&E Editor

Angie Wang

Angie is a sophomore at MIHS, and this is her second year writing for The Islander. She loves to play saxophone and loves listening to music.

Paelun Bissonnette
Features Editor

Paelun Bissonnette

Paelun is a senior at MIHS, and this is his second year as a member of the MIHS Islander staff. Currently Features Editor, he was previously a Staff Writer with a focus on local politics. In his spare time, he enjoys comics, is...

Ilan Dondisch
Opinions Editor

Ilan Dondisch

Ilan is a junior at MIHS, and this is his third year as a member of the MIHS Islander staff. He is currently the Opinions Editor and has served as a staff writer for the past two years. Outside of school, he’s an épée fen...

Riya Alagugurusamy
Sports Editor

Riya Alagugurusamy

Riya Alagugurusamy is the Sports Editor for the MIHS Islander and is in her second year of journalism. She also plays water polo and is on swive. Outside of school, she enjoys reading books, jumping in the lake, hanging out with f...

Emil Silberstein
Staff Writer

Emil Silberstein

Emil is a sophomore at MIHS, and this is his first year as a Staff Writer of the MIHS Islander. In his free time, he enjoys fishing, playing cello, and traveling.

Zachary Paulson
Staff Writer

Zachary Paulson

Zach is a sophomore at MIHS. This is his first year with the MIHS Islander, and he is excited to join the team. He is currently a staff writer and hopes to continue with the MIHS Islander.  Zach enjoys reading and playing bass...

Lyra Nakatsu
Staff Writer

Lyra Nakatsu

Lyra is a sophomore at MIHS, and it is her first year as a member of the MIHS Islander staff. Currently, she is just starting her journalism journey, and takes an interest in photography and writing about her community. In her fre...

Ryan Moraca
Staff Writer

Ryan Moraca

Ryan is a junior at MIHS and is in his first year in journalism. He is currently a staff writer. In his free time, Ryan enjoys playing soccer and hanging out with friends.

Juliette Lowe
Staff Writer

Juliette Lowe

Juliette is a freshman staff writer at MIHS and new to the journalism class. Outside of school, she enjoys gymnastics, reading, and playing the violin.

Sullivan Landy
Staff Writer

Sullivan Landy

Sullivan is a sophomore at MIHS, and this is his first year on the MIHS islander staff. He is currently a staff writer. In his free time, he enjoys swimming, biking, history, and math.

Katherine Geoghagan
Staff Writer

Katherine Geoghagan

Kate is a freshman at MIHS, restarting in the Islander school district after spending her three years of middle school at St. Monica’s. She is currently a staff writer, and in her free time she enjoys playing soccer, hanging ...

Tessa Goldsmith
Staff Writer

Tessa Goldsmith

Tessa is a sophomore at MIHS and is a staff writer in her first year as a writer for the Islander. When not at school, Tessa enjoys playing soccer, reading, and binge-watching bad Netflix shows with her younger sister....

Max Pelter
Editorial Board Writer

Max Pelter

Max Pelter is a sophomore at Mercer Island High School. He is an Editorial Board Writer, and he likes to watch sports, hang out with his friends, and walk his dogs with his family. ...