About
We are the Hawkeye Newspaper Club at Plainview Old-Bethpage JFK High School. Here you will find past (and present) editions of our newspaper; weekly articles, interviews, and features; as well as biographies on our board members!
Meet Mr. Beck - Club Advisor
I have been a journalist and author for 30 years and an English teacher for 27 years. I am thrilled to be a co-advisor to the POBJFK Hawkeye Newspaper Club and work with the smartest, most wonderful staff of any high school newspaper.
I have been a journalist and author for 30 years and an English teacher for 27 years. I am thrilled to be a co-advisor to the POBJFK Hawkeye Newspaper Club and work with the smartest, most wonderful staff of any high school newspaper.
Meet Ms. Candelaria - Club Advisor
I have been a special education and English teacher at POBJFK High School for the past five years. I went to Adelphi University for my bachelors degree in journalism, and went to St. John’s University for my masters in adolescent education in English. After teaching in Queens, I moved to Long Island and started teaching special education. I am also involved in nonprofit organizations that promote education and gender equality, and am the advisor to Girls Learn International at POBJFK. I am a doctoral candidate at Hofstra University researching the effects of volunteering on career development.
I have been a special education and English teacher at POBJFK High School for the past five years. I went to Adelphi University for my bachelors degree in journalism, and went to St. John’s University for my masters in adolescent education in English. After teaching in Queens, I moved to Long Island and started teaching special education. I am also involved in nonprofit organizations that promote education and gender equality, and am the advisor to Girls Learn International at POBJFK. I am a doctoral candidate at Hofstra University researching the effects of volunteering on career development.
Meet Jake Feldman - Co-Editor-in-Chief
I am a senior at POBJFK High School. I have previously served as the sports editor and treasurer and have been the Editor-in-Chief for the past two years. Through the newspaper, I love sharing the dynamic school culture and meaningful events occurring throughout my community. In addition to being active in the Hawkeye Newspaper Club, I am also passionate about research, tennis, and community service. Some of my favorite pastimes include reading novels, watching Survivor, and playing my trumpet. A fun fact about me is I have my own business, where I have the pleasure of teaching children and adults the wondrous sport of tennis. I hope that you enjoy learning about the latest news in my school by reading this blog.
I am a senior at POBJFK High School. I have previously served as the sports editor and treasurer and have been the Editor-in-Chief for the past two years. Through the newspaper, I love sharing the dynamic school culture and meaningful events occurring throughout my community. In addition to being active in the Hawkeye Newspaper Club, I am also passionate about research, tennis, and community service. Some of my favorite pastimes include reading novels, watching Survivor, and playing my trumpet. A fun fact about me is I have my own business, where I have the pleasure of teaching children and adults the wondrous sport of tennis. I hope that you enjoy learning about the latest news in my school by reading this blog.
Meet Michael Khalfin - Co-Editor-in-Chief, Website Manager
I am a junior at POBJFK High School. Last year, I served as the treasurer and advertisement representative of the Hawkeye Newspaper Club. This year I’m also the treasurer of the Mathletes club. Some of my hobbies include swimming, listening to music, and hiking. I’m very big on cycling — ask any of my friends and they’ll tell you that all I do is ride my bike. Also I’m a Seinfeld and Curb Your Enthusiasm junkie. Working on the paper is a great opportunity because I like having an impact in our school and community. Overseeing this website is a remarkable opportunity to expand our club. I look forward to sharing my ideas and articles with you.
I am a junior at POBJFK High School. Last year, I served as the treasurer and advertisement representative of the Hawkeye Newspaper Club. This year I’m also the treasurer of the Mathletes club. Some of my hobbies include swimming, listening to music, and hiking. I’m very big on cycling — ask any of my friends and they’ll tell you that all I do is ride my bike. Also I’m a Seinfeld and Curb Your Enthusiasm junkie. Working on the paper is a great opportunity because I like having an impact in our school and community. Overseeing this website is a remarkable opportunity to expand our club. I look forward to sharing my ideas and articles with you.
Meet Amanda Kang - Managing Editor
I am a senior at POBJFK High School. Aside from writing for the Hawkeye Newspaper Club, I am a part of the research program here at school and I am very passionate about neuroscience, psychology, and biology. For fun, I love to ice skate, run, and swim. My favorite show is Parks and Recreation, but The Office is a close second and I love to listen to pop music. I also love to work with children; I have a job at an art studio where I help them with art projects and I have dedicated countless hours to volunteering with them. I love writing for the school paper and I know that my peers and I work very hard as members of this club, so I hope you enjoy our articles and our blog!
I am a senior at POBJFK High School. Aside from writing for the Hawkeye Newspaper Club, I am a part of the research program here at school and I am very passionate about neuroscience, psychology, and biology. For fun, I love to ice skate, run, and swim. My favorite show is Parks and Recreation, but The Office is a close second and I love to listen to pop music. I also love to work with children; I have a job at an art studio where I help them with art projects and I have dedicated countless hours to volunteering with them. I love writing for the school paper and I know that my peers and I work very hard as members of this club, so I hope you enjoy our articles and our blog!
Meet Jesse Sheps - Managing Editor
I am a sophomore at POBJFK High School who loves to write. I spend a good amount of my time playing guitar and composing music. I am also an avid video gamer who is always up for a challenge. I am a professional actor and have appeared in different movies and television shows. Acting has allowed me to spend time with some amazing actors like Robert DeNiro, Kate Winslet and travel across the country to promote films at some amazingly cool festivals. I am probably proudest of the fundraising I have done for St. Judes Children’s Hospital and hope to get even more involved.
I am a sophomore at POBJFK High School who loves to write. I spend a good amount of my time playing guitar and composing music. I am also an avid video gamer who is always up for a challenge. I am a professional actor and have appeared in different movies and television shows. Acting has allowed me to spend time with some amazing actors like Robert DeNiro, Kate Winslet and travel across the country to promote films at some amazingly cool festivals. I am probably proudest of the fundraising I have done for St. Judes Children’s Hospital and hope to get even more involved.
Meet Isabella Chen - Layout Editor
I am a sophomore at POBJFK High School. My hobbies include badminton, reading, and music. Music is a big part of my life. I love singing, playing the piano, and guitar. I also, of course, love writing. In my free time, you can find me reading a book, doing a puzzle or hanging out with my dog. I am proud to be a member of the Hawkeye Newspaper Club. It allows me to have a positive impact on our school community. I cannot wait to continue writing articles this year!
I am a sophomore at POBJFK High School. My hobbies include badminton, reading, and music. Music is a big part of my life. I love singing, playing the piano, and guitar. I also, of course, love writing. In my free time, you can find me reading a book, doing a puzzle or hanging out with my dog. I am proud to be a member of the Hawkeye Newspaper Club. It allows me to have a positive impact on our school community. I cannot wait to continue writing articles this year!
Meet Elif Koch - Layout Editor
I am a sophomore at POBJFK High School. My hobbies include reading books, listening to music, and most importantly drawing. Whenever I have free time, I like to make both digital art and graphite drawings. Also, one of my main interests is research because it allows me to learn new things. Being a part of the Hawkeye Newspaper Club is very important to me, for it allows me to contribute my interests and hobbies, including researching and designing. I look forward to writing more articles for our club and sharing my ideas with our school.
I am a sophomore at POBJFK High School. My hobbies include reading books, listening to music, and most importantly drawing. Whenever I have free time, I like to make both digital art and graphite drawings. Also, one of my main interests is research because it allows me to learn new things. Being a part of the Hawkeye Newspaper Club is very important to me, for it allows me to contribute my interests and hobbies, including researching and designing. I look forward to writing more articles for our club and sharing my ideas with our school.
Meet Alison Chertoff - News Editor
I am a junior at POBJFK High School. I have been an active member of the newspaper club for the past three years. I enjoy hanging out with my friends and going on walks after school. I like being a part of the newspaper club because I get to share my ideas and interests with the rest of the school community. I would like to inspire other students to take part in this amazing club that is offered at our school!
I am a junior at POBJFK High School. I have been an active member of the newspaper club for the past three years. I enjoy hanging out with my friends and going on walks after school. I like being a part of the newspaper club because I get to share my ideas and interests with the rest of the school community. I would like to inspire other students to take part in this amazing club that is offered at our school!
Meet Fiona Wu - News Editor, Advertisement Representative
Hi, I’m Fiona, currently a junior here at the POBJFK High School! I enjoy writing, dancing, watching TedTalks and Netflix, and listening to music. A fun fact about me is that I love traveling, I’ve been to ten countries and plan on visiting four more over the summer (if the pandemic is over by then). I’m excited to be a part of Hawkeye and can’t wait to see what’s in store for this year!
Hi, I’m Fiona, currently a junior here at the POBJFK High School! I enjoy writing, dancing, watching TedTalks and Netflix, and listening to music. A fun fact about me is that I love traveling, I’ve been to ten countries and plan on visiting four more over the summer (if the pandemic is over by then). I’m excited to be a part of Hawkeye and can’t wait to see what’s in store for this year!
Meet Jess Levy - Arts & Entertainment Editor, Research Team
Hi! My name is Jess Levy and I am a senior at POBJFK High School. I am always busy with my dance team, my school work or extracurricular clubs (I’m in about six of them and on the board of four), but in my free time you can find me baking with my sister, binge watching “The Vampire Diaries”, at the gym working out or just hanging out with friends. While I rarely have time too, I love shopping for sweaters because that’s all I wear. My favorite season is “sweater weather” also known as winter. Working on the school paper is a great way for me to benefit my community and find my place among it. I can’t wait to share some of my thoughts with you soon!
Hi! My name is Jess Levy and I am a senior at POBJFK High School. I am always busy with my dance team, my school work or extracurricular clubs (I’m in about six of them and on the board of four), but in my free time you can find me baking with my sister, binge watching “The Vampire Diaries”, at the gym working out or just hanging out with friends. While I rarely have time too, I love shopping for sweaters because that’s all I wear. My favorite season is “sweater weather” also known as winter. Working on the school paper is a great way for me to benefit my community and find my place among it. I can’t wait to share some of my thoughts with you soon!
Meet Christine Song - Opinion Editor, Research Team
I am a sophomore at Plainview Old-Bethpage JFK High School. I love to pass my time by drawing, leisurely scrolling through Webtoons, and binge-watching TV shows. I also have a habit of making origami, learning about bits of history, or simply reading books when I’m bored. Being in the newspaper club helps me bring different ideas into the limelight so that other high schoolers can become more aware of the various perspectives in this world. I’m so excited to continue writing articles for the club, and I look forward to the progression of this year’s Hawkeye Newspaper Club!
I am a sophomore at Plainview Old-Bethpage JFK High School. I love to pass my time by drawing, leisurely scrolling through Webtoons, and binge-watching TV shows. I also have a habit of making origami, learning about bits of history, or simply reading books when I’m bored. Being in the newspaper club helps me bring different ideas into the limelight so that other high schoolers can become more aware of the various perspectives in this world. I’m so excited to continue writing articles for the club, and I look forward to the progression of this year’s Hawkeye Newspaper Club!
Meet Seth Schlank - Sports Editor
I am currently a senior at POBJFK High School. I am an avid sports fan, supporting the Yankees, Jets, Islanders, and Knicks. I enjoy graphic design, reading, and writing just to name a few. Aside from writing for the Hawkeye Newspaper Club, I am writing articles and conducting interviews with athletes across the sports landscape and about all things sports. I am a proud member of the Hawkeye board and I can’t wait to keep writing this year!
I am currently a senior at POBJFK High School. I am an avid sports fan, supporting the Yankees, Jets, Islanders, and Knicks. I enjoy graphic design, reading, and writing just to name a few. Aside from writing for the Hawkeye Newspaper Club, I am writing articles and conducting interviews with athletes across the sports landscape and about all things sports. I am a proud member of the Hawkeye board and I can’t wait to keep writing this year!
Meet Elisa Lee - Treasurer, Research Team
I am currently a senior at POBJFK High School. My hobbies include reading, art, fashion, and watching movies. I have big dreams for my future, and plan on majoring in nursing in order to help others. As the treasurer of the Hawkeye Newspaper Club, I have the privilege of being part of an amazing board, and am given the great opportunity to plan new ideas. I look forward to sharing my articles with everyone!
I am currently a senior at POBJFK High School. My hobbies include reading, art, fashion, and watching movies. I have big dreams for my future, and plan on majoring in nursing in order to help others. As the treasurer of the Hawkeye Newspaper Club, I have the privilege of being part of an amazing board, and am given the great opportunity to plan new ideas. I look forward to sharing my articles with everyone!
Meet Tarunika Sasikumar - Secretary, Research Team
I am a junior at POBJFK High School. In my free time I enjoy volunteering, reading books, and spending time with my family! Additionally, I enjoy playing tennis, karate, and listening to music. I am also a major food addict and you can always catch me chomping on something that’s probably not good for you. I am so excited to be a part of this blog because it allows me to share knowledge and make a difference in our community!
I am a junior at POBJFK High School. In my free time I enjoy volunteering, reading books, and spending time with my family! Additionally, I enjoy playing tennis, karate, and listening to music. I am also a major food addict and you can always catch me chomping on something that’s probably not good for you. I am so excited to be a part of this blog because it allows me to share knowledge and make a difference in our community!