About Our Staff
Senior Team
Sebastian Lechner
Editor-in-ChiefSebastian Lechner (senior) is a Comparative Studies in Literature and Culture major with a minor in physics at Occidental. Lechner is the Editor-in-Chief and was previously Managing Editor, Campus News editor, and a staff writer. When not in the library, Lechner enjoys thrifting in Pasadena and trying to find retro sneakers online.
James Miller
Managing EditorJames Miller (sophomore) is undecided with interests in English and biology. Miller hails from Palo Alto, California and is currently the managing editor, serving previously as the Sports section editor. Outside of the newsroom he enjoys long walks on the beach.
Mia Anzalone
Senior EditorMia Anzalone (senior) is a sociology major and art history minor from Kailua, Oahu. She is currently a senior editor and the Features section editor, but has previously served as editor-in-chief, managing editor and a section editor for the Opinions and Arts and Culture sections. Anzalone has journalism experience back home where she's worked for HAWAI'I Magazine and the Honolulu Star-Advertiser. In her free time, she likes to hang out with friends, read, surf and roller-skate.
Anissa Basnayake
Senior EditorAnissa Basnayake (junior) is a cognitive science major with studio art and neuroscience minors. Basnayake serves as a senior editor, writer and illustrator, but has worked as editor-in-chief, managing editor, as well as photo and layout section editors. Outside of the newsroom, Basnayake enjoys reading, running, going to the beac, and watching horror movies.
Barbara Thomas
AdvisorBarbara Thomas has been The Occidental staff advisor since September 2016. A career journalist, she spent 24 years at the Los Angeles Times where she held many roles, including reporter, copy editor and Executive News Editor. Previously she was a reporter in Gary, Ind. She was part of two Pulitzer Prize teams for Spot News reporting at the LA Times. Thomas has an M.A. in journalism from Indiana University in Bloomington, Ind., and B.A. in English from University of Pittsburgh.
Editors
Ava LaLonde
News EditorAva LaLonde (sophomore) is a Comparative Studies in Literature and Culture major and is minoring in Critical Theory and Social Justice. LaLonde is a Campus News editor for The Occidental and an occasional staff writer and photographer. LaLonde enjoys hiking, finding small record or book stores, hanging out with her dog and watching the same movies over and over again with friends.
Emma Cho
News EditorEmma Cho (junior) is a history major and interdisciplinary writing minor. After parting ways with her beloved Sports section, Emma is excited to be one of the Campus News editors this semester. You can find her running around on the lacrosse field, wasting her time cheering for the Chicago Cubs or rewatching Hamilton for the 51st time.
Anna Beatty
Media EditorAnna Beatty (sophomore) is a Comparative Studies in Literature and Culture and Chinese Studies double major with a linguistics minor from Austin, TX. She is a Media editor and staff writer for The Occidental. Beatty’s dream is to start a nonprofit centered around media literacy and journalism education. You can always find her in the dance studio, and she will never turn down a request for an ice cream outing.
Mali Abel
Media EditorMali Abel (senior) is a psychology major and public health minor. Abel is a Media section editor for The Occidental and previously worked as a staff photographer. Outside of the newsroom, Abel enjoys reading, crocheting and spending time with friends. After graduation, Abel hopes to attend graduate school to get her masters in Psychology and PhD in Clinical Psychology.
Mollie Barnes
Culture EditorMollie Barnes (junior) is a Critical Theory and Social Justice major with a minor in cognitive science. She is an Arts & Culture section editor at The Occidental and staff writer who enjoys telling stories about the people in our community. Outside of the Occidental bubble, Barnes enjoys skiing, traveling and trying every restaurant possible in Los Angeles (and anywhere).
Yanori Ferguson
Culture EditorYanori Ferguson (sophomore) is undeclared but is bringing her interest in biochemistry and mathematics to her role as an Arts & Culture section editor. Outside the newsroom she enjoys rollerblading, hiking, boxing and singing (to herself). Upon graduation she will take her experience interacting with stories on campus to a role in scientific research and communication abroad.
Jacob Whitney
Sports EditorJacob Whitney (junior) is a Diplomacy and World Affairs major. Whitney is a Sports Editor for The Occidental and occasional staff writer. Whitney enjoys exploring new cities, reading, cooking and spending time with friends and family.
Nora Youngelson
Sports EditorAvinash Iyer
Opinions EditorAvinash Iyer (junior) is a math major and economics minor from Fremont, California and is one of the Opinions section editors. When not on Twitter, doing math homework or editing for the paper, Iyer enjoys weightlifting, spending time with friends and folding origami cats. After college, Iyer hopes to get a Ph.D. in mathematics.
Noah Kim
Opinions EditorNoah Kim (first year) is undeclared but will be a politics major. He was born in Los Angeles, CA but raised in Ellicott City, MD and Nashville, TN. He now lives in Chappaqua, NY. He is one of the Opinions section editors. He likes to read, write, hang out with his friends, box and play the piano in his free time. He will graduate college, hopefully.
Olivia Fishman
Community News EditorOlivia Fishman (senior) is an art history major and interdisciplinary writing minor. A native of West Los Angeles, Fishman has been the Community News editor of The Occidental since 2022. Her writing has also been featured in Artillery Magazine. Upon graduating, Fishman plans to work in galleries and eventually earn her Masters in Arts Management. When not in the newsroom, or traveling the world, she enjoys playing golf.
Karen Palacios Echeverria
Community News EditorKaren Palacios Echeverria (first year) is from Atlanta, Georgia and is one of the Community section editors. Outside of the newsroom she enjoys reading, hanging out with friends and going to new coffee shops.
Kawena Jacobs
Neighborhood Reporting ProjectKawena Jacobs (sophomore) is a music production major from Pennsylvania. Jacobs is the editor for the Neighborhood Reporting Project – a new program bridging The Occidental’s newsroom with that of The Eastsider, a hyperlocal publication covering all things NELA. Outside of editing for the paper, Jacobs writes and releases her own songs and goes to as many movies in the theater as her schedule allows.
Diego Santiago
Translation EditorDiego Santiago (junior) is pursuing a dual major in computer science and Spanish Studies. Santiago is thrilled to serve as Translation Editor for The Occidental. When he’s not busy with editorial duties, you can find him reading science fiction, playing pool or playing soccer.
Janice Wong
Head Layout EditorJanice Wong (sophomore) is a computer science major from Arcadia, California. She is the head layout editor for The Occidental. In her free time, Wong enjoys playing video games and hanging out with friends.
Caden Zamastil
Head Copy EditorCaden Zamastil (sophomore) is undeclared, but leaning towards a history major. Zamastil is the Head Copy Editor for The Occidental. When not in the newsroom, Zamastil enjoys playing bass and guitar, reading, bouldering, watching Ghibli movies and playing Stardew Valley.
Other Staff
Ayva Sloo
Business ManagerAyva Sloo (junior) is a geology major with an Environmental Science concentration at Occidental College. Sloo is the business manager for The Occidental. Besides keeping the team on budget, Sloo enjoys camping, hiking and reading, and is always ready for a friendly (but competitive) game of pickleball.
Nick Novak
Web DesignerNicholas Novak (senior) is currently studying Computer Science and Economics. He serves as the Senior Web Developer for The Occidental. In his free time, Nicholas enjoys watching movies, reading and petting cats.
Maeve Mascarenhas
Assistant Web DesignerMaeve Mascarenhas (sophomore) is a Sociology with a minor in Computer Science. She is the Assistant Web Designer for The Occidental. She also runs for the Cross Country and Track and Field teams at Oxy. In her free time, she enjoys reading, baking and listening to music.
Writers
Translators
Photographers
Podcast Team
Illustrators
Copy Editors
Layout Editors
Newsletter Editor
The mission of The Occidental is to provide fair, accurate and balanced journalism of the highest quality to members of Occidental College as well as the local community. We promote the free exchange of information, and our staff strives to maintain the highest professional journalistic ethics and standards.
We aim to prioritize truth, credibility, and transparency above all else in our reporting; hold the leadership of the student body, college and larger community accountable; and provide a platform for productive community dialogue.
As the official student newspaper of Occidental College, The Occidental aims to fulfill three primary functions. The first is to inform our audience by presenting unbiased and accurate information regarding topics and events of importance and interest to the Occidental and local community. The second is to serve as a public forum by providing commentary on issues important to the community and encouraging community members to respond, contribute and participate in community dialogue. The third is to educate by creating an effective and inclusive learning environment where staff members can learn the journalism trade and professional skills.
We are a completely student-run organization. We strive to uphold the Society of Professional Journalists' Code of Ethics as the standards for our policies and procedures.
Read our Frequently Asked Questions in order to learn more about our organization, practices and policies.
