THE HOOK
Reeling In the Raider Nation
Alpharetta's student run newspaper, The Hook, was founded in 2004 during Alpharetta High School's first year. The Hook is currently publishing its 12th edition which includes a mixture of online articles, online issues of the paper, as well as printed issues. The Hook is a Journalism class offered by AHS and is located in room 2229 during 4th period. The Hook's faculty supervisor is Mr. Wright, who teaches 11th American Literature when not supervising and overseeing the publication of the paper. The publication of the paper is also overseen by two co-Editor-In-Chiefs, Junior Daniel Grotch and Senior Andres Bonno. Daniel and Andres are both second year staff members who are hoping to inform and provide a voice to the student body of AHS. Apart from Daniel, Andres, and Mr. Wright; there are fourteen talented and dedicated staff members who help publish the paper. The Hook is a student run and self funded non-profit news outlet that strives to provide reliable information and highlight all major occurences in not only the high school but the community as well.
STAFF BIOS
Andres Bonno, 2nd Year Newspaper, 1st Year EIC
Andres is currently a senior at AHS, and this is his second year on the newspaper staff and his first year as Editor In Chief of The Hook‘s. Andres enjoys writing articles and seeing his work published in The Hook. Outside of newspaper, Andres enjoys hockey and lacrosse. Andres is a member of YMSL and enjoys serving the community and is the Vice President of Science National Honor Society. Andres plans to major in chemical engineering after high school. Apart from lacrosse and hockey Andres also is an avid fan of bonsai trees and kittens.
Daniel Grotch, 2nd Year Newspaper, 1st Year EIC
Daniel Grotch is currently a junior journalist and Co-Editor-in-Chief for The Hook, who enjoys the harmonious atmosphere of the class while writing meaningful articles. Daniel hails from the Big Apple, New York, having just moved to Alpharetta in the summer of 2014. Being from Queens, Daniel gives The Hook a different perspective as well as a great sense of humor. The young man aspires to be an economist or politician. When not watching sports or talking politics, Daniel enjoys spending time with his grandma and his goldendoodle puppy, Mystie.
Alyssa Albrecht, 1st Year Newspaper, Staff
Alyssa is currently a Junior at AHS, and this is her first year on the newspaper staff here at The Hook. Alyssa enjoys writing short stories and listening to music in her free time and is really excited to be able to write for The Hook’s 12th Edition this year. In her free time, Alyssa enjoys baseball and dancing and used to play softball when she was younger. Alyssa is currently a part of the leadership team for FCA (Fellowship of Christian Athletes) at AHS, and is in Color Guard for the Alpharetta Marching Raider Band. Alyssa plans on majoring in Marketing and Communications or Early Childhood Education after High School. Besides baseball and dancing, Alyssa enjoys working with kids and making people laugh.
Eric Bias, 1st Year Newspaper, Staff
Eric Bias is currently a sophomore at Alpharetta High School. This is Eric Bias’s first year joining the school newspaper “The Hook”. He really loves the idea of a school run newspaper, and since he had Mr. Wright as a 9th Grade ELA teacher really “sealed the deal” to join the program. Outside of school, he typically studies or does his favorite activity, playing the Xbox 360. He loves school very much, and he hopes to translate that love for learning into newspaper form.
Irene Velez, 1st Year Newspaper, Staff
Irene is currently a junior at AHS, and this is her first year in The Hook. Irene enjoys writing about subjects that will help students in the long run and being a voice for AHS community. Outside of newspaper, she loves spending time with her friends and family, exploring nearby cities and going to local concerts. Irene is an active member of the Drama club along with the Speech team, and is the President of Raiders For the Cure club. She volunteers with the Animal Rights and Rescue club as well as with other clubs and is a member of the National Spanish Honor Society. Irene wishes to attend Vanderbilt after high school and major in Communications of Science and Technology.
Kiana McKnight, 1st Year Newspaper, Staff
Kiana is currently a Junior at Alpharetta High School and this is her first year in Newspaper. Kiana enjoys running track, singing and writing music. Kiana is a member in AHS a capella group called Momentum.Her aspirations in life is to go to New York University after high school and major in music or psychology.
Brianna Rolle, 1st Year Newspaper, Staff
Brianna Rolle is currently a Freshman at AHS, and this is her first year as staff on The Hook. Brianna enjoys learning new things and editing her writing style to fit a more professional, nonfiction style. Outside of the newspaper, Brianna enjoys playing soccer, fiction writing, and enjoying life with family and friends. Brianna plans on going to college to become a journalist after high school. Apart from soccer and writing, Brianna also enjoys camp games like dodgeball and reading or hearing good and bad jokes.
Lara Strydom, 1st Year Newspaper, Staff
Lara Strydom is currently a junior at Alpharetta High School, and is in her first year of being in the school newspaper, The Hook. Lara especially enjoys writing editorials and feature articles in newspaper. Outside of school, Lara spends her time acting and dancing. She is a member of the RISPA dance company, Alpharetta Speech team, along with being involved in the school productions. Lara aspires to double major in education and theatre in college. Lara also enjoys baking and listening to music.
Mary Maycock, 1st Year Newspaper, Staff
Mary Maycock is currently a sophomore on the JV AHS Cheer Team. Her hobbies outside writing include tumbling, the internet, watching movies, and hanging out with her friends and family. Mary plans to major in Communications and work in Public Relations Advertising in the future.
Nolan Edmonds, 1st Year Newspaper, Staff
Nolan Edmonds is currently a sophomore at Alpharetta High School, and this is his first year writing for the Hook Newspaper. Nolan is the running back for the Alpharetta varsity football team. Outside of newspaper Nolan enjoys spending time in homeless shelters and giving back to the community on his free time. After high school Nolan plans to attend college to earn his MBA and his Masters Degree
Nadir Lewis, 1st Year Newspaper, Staff
Nadir is currently a sophomore at AHS, and this is his first year on the newspaper staff here at The Hook. Nadir enjoys free time. Nadir is a part of the stocks club, basketball, and baseball team for Alpharetta. Outside of newspaper, Nadir enjoys spending time with friends and family. Nadir plans to be an Industrial Engineer once out of college.
Melissa Dunn, 1st Year Newspaper, Staff
Melissa Dunn is currently a junior at AHS, and this is her first year writing for The Hook. Melissa is currently an officer of Raider Mentors and a member of Student Council. Outside of high school, Melissa enjoys participating in her youth group and hanging out with friends. After high school, Melissa plans to go to college and study marketing.
Sami Thompson, 1st Year Newspaper, Staff
Sami Thompson is a sophomore here at Alpharetta High School. She enjoys writing and is thinking of a career as a journalist once she leaves high school. For the time being, she enjoys serving her community on Student Council, Raider Mentors, and People Against Human Trafficking. She’s also a year-round swimmer, as well as a swimmer for the AHS Swim Team. During her free time, Sami enjoys spending time with young children, reading, writing, and dancing. She has and adventurous personality and hopes to travel abroad after high school and learn new things. She especially wants to learn how to scuba dive.
Nicole Vickers, 1st Year Newspaper, Staff
Nicole Vickers is a sophomore reporter for the Hook. She enjoys reading,QuizUp (level 67 and counting in PJO), singing in the Select Women's Ensemble, being a part of Alpharetta Raider Band Color Guard, putting quotes on walls, planning stuff, sleeping, spray painting themed pants and the word ‘audacious’ in no particular order. Also, writing for the Hook. Her favorite subject is history because it’s reading except everything is true. She is a Percy Jackson/Heroes of Olympus daughter of Athena, Harry Potter Gryffindor, and from the Avatar the Last Airbender Water Tribe. When talking, she uses ‘oh my god’ ‘so anyway’ and ‘you know?’ way too much. She likes virgin Pina Coladas (ice, pineapple juice and coconut cream) and getting caught in the rain with headphones on so she can dance. Her main goal in life is to escape Georgia ASAP. She also believes, in her biased opinion, that New Jersey is the most amazing place on earth
Maia Gibson, 1st Year Newspaper, Staff
Maia Gibson is currently a sophomore at AHS. This is her first year being on The Hook’s staff. She is involved in many AHS clubs including Key Club, Raiders for the Cure, and International Communications. Outside of school, she loves to read, take pictures, and play soccer. Also, she loves anything outdoors, such as hiking and camping. After college, she hopes to join the Peace Corps and one day became a photographer for National Geographic. She decided to be a
part of The Hook because of her passion for writing and photography.
Suraihyah Sule, 1st Year Newspaper, Staff
Suraihyah is currently a sophomore at AHS. This is her first year being on The Hook. Suraihyah plays softball for the Raiders and enjoys reading, photography and listening to music on her free time. She also enjoys helping people and hopes to go to college and study medicine at East Carolina University.