LOS ALAMITOS, Calif. — The 2024-2025 school year is coming to an end, and the Griffin Gazette seniors are leaving with a great journey ahead. Seniors Bella Kim, Sydney Foresight, Liz Frank, Ally Mendez, Jasmine Lee and Maleah Fennessey are all graduating in the upcoming weeks. Although the Griffin Gazette is sad to see them leave, we are all looking forward to their future accomplishments.
Bella Kim (2022-2025)
Bella Kim has been with the Griffin Gazette since 2022, when the site was newly established. In the very same year she joined, Kim received her first Best of Sno award for an article about a Los Alamitos High School student podcast. Over the years, Kim has accumulated three other Best of Sno awards.
Along with dedicating years to her articles, Kim has held the leadership position of Editor in Chief since 2023. This role includes running the class while guiding students toward their best potential! Kim has portrayed determination and passion throughout her years at the Griffin Gazette.
Bella has worked hard to further commit to her journalism career. Kim has had multiple internships with organizations like Spotlight Schools, The Youth Center and South Bay Youth Journalism. Kim has an upcoming summer internship with the Los Angeles Times High School Insider.
Sydney Forsyte (2022-2025)
Like Kim, Sydney Forsyte has been with the Griffin Gazette since 2022. Forsyte has since taken on many leadership roles including directing Griffin Gazette Live. She earned her first Best of Sno award in 2024 for an article featuring the LAHS ambulance training seminar. Foresyte has thrived as an editor as well as in her role as executive producer. Forestye even attended the New York Times Summer Institute to expand her journalism skills.
As her third year in journalism ends, the Griffin Gazette will be awaiting the future changes she will make in the world.
“It’s been bittersweet because I’ve been in this class for so long, but I’m excited for a new chapter,” said Foryste.
Jasmine Lee (2023-2025)
Jasmine Lee joined journalism last school year when she was a junior. Since then, she has furthered her writing skills by becoming an editor and taking the advanced journalism class. Lee has been a confident leader on the Griffin Gazette social media team, from designing to organizing scheduled posts.
Lee has used her writing skills in her role as co-student representative for the Los Alamitos and Rossmoor Friends of the Library Board. There, she writes for the monthly newsletter, which is then sent out to the Los Alamitos community. Lee has reported on a series of topics like music, academics, student life, movies and television.
The Griffin Gazette will miss Jasmine Lee as she travels on her future journey.
Maleah Fennesey (2024-2025)
Maleah Fennsey joined journalism this school year, hoping to use her incredible writing skills to explore and collaborate with the class. After being the President of the Creative Writing Club, Fennsey has explored writing to her fullest potential. One of her first articles, which examined the demur trend, led her to achieve her first Best of Sno award.
“I’m happy I had a fun, but still challenging period in Journalism,” said Fennesey.
Fennesey plans to continue her pathway to becoming a journalist, focusing on the environment. Fennesey is deeply excited for her upcoming trip to New York City, where she will attend the New York Times Summer Institute. Fennsey has dedicated herself not only to writing but to being kind and humorous. As a huge asset to the Griffin Gazette, Fennesey will be deeply missed and forever welcomed back.
Liz Frank (2024-2025)
Liz Frank joined the Griffin Gazette this year, taking Advanced Journalism second semester. Frank took charge by starting the Griffin Gazette TikTok, where she shot content and brought new ideas. Not only has she led the classes TikTok, she was also one of the head copy editors of the 2025 senior print edition. Frank has written articles from various categories, with her favorite being feature articles. Her topics vary, from must-see national parks to different LAHS bands.
Not only has Frank been a part of the Griffin Gazette, but she was also a part of Music Studios. This is a class where LAHS students are free to produce music and perform live. Frank has become a valuable member of the Griffin Gazette and will leave a legacy a legacy for years to come.
Ally Mendez (2024-2025)
Ally Mendez joined the Griffin Gazette earlier this school year to explore and collaborate her creativity off the canvas and instead with a pen. Over her time at LAHS, Mendez has prided herself in taking multiple art classes, starting with beginning art and making her way up to advanced art. Her years of art gave her the experience to know what a good story is. From working on Get the Gist to writing articles about space awareness, Mendez has written countless creative pieces for the Griffin Gazette.
“It’s been fun. I’m sad I don’t get to do Journalism again,” said Mendez.
Although sad to leave, Mendez is a rising freshman at California State University Long Beach, where she will major in Fine Arts and explore her creativity. Mendez also looks forward to her summer internship at Disneyland, where she will expand her engineering skills. Ally Mendez will be deeply missed by the Griffin Gazette, but we hope that she visits soon!
Griffin Gazette Seniors 2025
While graduation is fast approaching, the legacy and hard work dedicated by the Griffin Gazette seniors has not gone unnoticed. Seniors Bella Kim, Sydney Foresight, Liz Frank, Ally Mendez, Jasmine Lee and Maleah Fennessey are all incredible student journalists who will continue to allow their talents to shine in all of their future goals.
“There are just really fun people, I’m gonna miss them,” said Kaiya Velaquez, a Staff Writer.
