Sam Murphy, Editor-In-Chief
Sam Murphy is a senior majoring in Communications with concentrations in journalism and sports communication from Westchester County, NY. He joined the Circle at the beginning of his freshman year as a staff writer covering different stories across the news sections. In his sophomore year, he became the Campus News Editor and held the role for two years. In his senior year, Sam took over as the Circle’s Editor-in-Chief. He also works as an editor for Center Field, Marist’s online sports publication, and writes the women’s soccer and baseball beats. Sam has interned with Westchester Magazine and the Hudson Valley Hammers of USL-2. His favorite experience in college was going abroad to Madrid, Spain.
Erin-Leigh Hoffman, Managing/Opinion Editor
Erin-Leigh Hoffman is the Managing Editor and Opinion Editor at the Marist Circle. She has been a part of the Circle since the fall of 2020 with over 25 articles written and published since then. Outside of the Circle, she is a freelance writer for The Highlands Current newspaper and the President of the Marist College Society of Professional Journalists (SPJ). When she’s not writing, she is playing music with Marist Singers or The Sirens, the all-female identifying acapella group. After graduation, Erin-Leigh is hoping to break into music journalism and write for a publication like Rolling Stone or Alternative Press.
Emma Denes, Assistant Managing/Features Editor
Emma Denes is a junior at Marist College, majoring in communication with a concentration in journalism and minoring in environmental studies. On top of her roles at the paper, she serves as President of the Students Encouraging Environmental Dedication club. Outside of the Circle, she has had her work published by Hudson Valley Magazine and the National Association of Science Writers. When not writing, Emma can be found performing musical theatre, photographing the natural world, or following the latest marine biology news. Connect with her on LinkedIn or send a story tip to Emma.Denes1@marist.edu.
Ava Battinelli, Campus News Editor
Ava Battinelli is a sophomore from River Vale, NJ majoring in Communications with a concentration in Journalism and a minor in Photography. She began her time at the Circle as a freshman, where she worked as both a Staff Writer and a Photographer. Now, she is very excited to begin working as an editor. Ava is also an active member of the Marist Student Government Association as their Visual Creator and is a member of the Marist College Society of Professional Journalists. She enjoys writing articles about events on campus and entertainment news. She also loves to take photos of students on campus and is and other events in the Hudson Valley. Ava is very excited for her future in journalism and the work she will continue to do for the Circle!
Andrew Breen, Arts & Culture Editor
Andrew Breen is a junior majoring in both History and Environmental Science and Policy from Yonkers, New York. He became a staff writer during his sophomore year, focusing on topics relating to film, music, and current events. This year he is excited to step into the Arts and Culture editor role. Other than his position at the Circle, he works at Student Activities at Marist. Outside of his interests in history and the environment, he is passionate about film, music, international and domestic politics, and animal conservation. After college, he wants to have a career in environmental policy.
Hannah Tone, Director of Multimedia
Hannah Tone is a sophomore from Waldwick, NJ double majoring in Communications and Business Administration with concentrations in Journalism and Marketing. She began her time at the Circle as a freshman, where she worked as both a Staff Writer and a Multimedia Assistant. Hannah is also an active member of the Marist Student Government Association as their Deputy Chief of Communications and is a member of the Marist College Society of Professional Journalists. She enjoys writing articles about music and other entertainment news and loves to explore different types of journalism. Hannah is looking forward to seeing what this year holds with the Circle and is excited for her future in journalism.
Audrey Hansen, Administrative Assistant
Audrey Hansen is a freshman from Northvale, New Jersey. She is majoring in English with a concentration in writing, and began working for The Circle during her first semester as a Staff Writer. Now, in her second semester, she is the Administrative Assistant. Last semester, she covered Marist’s performances in music and theater. In addition to writing, she loves reading, painting, listening to music, cooking, and baking. By the time she graduates, she hopes to be working in the publishing industry as a book editor.
Ben Leeds, Campus News Editor
Ben Leeds is a sophomore from Trumbull, Connecticut majoring in Communication with a dual concentration in Sports Communication and Public Relations. He started writing for the Circle during the first semester of his sophomore year, and now takes on the role of co-editor of the campus news section. Ben is also the Associate Editor for Center Field, Marist’s student-run online sports publication, where he worked as the women’s volleyball beat writer. A lifelong sports fan, Ben hopes to one day work in sports media once his time at Marist comes to a close.
Angelina Ruiz, Chief of Graphic Design
Angelina Ruiz is a freshman from West Caldwell, New Jersey. She is majoring in Digital Media and minoring in Creative Writing. She had originally joined the Circle at Marist College as a part of the Graphic Design Team. At the beginning of her second semester, she became the Chief of Graphic Design on the team. During the day, one can see her working at the library and might even see her art on the new book displays. Her favorite activities are drawing, reading, and listening to music. By the end of her Marist experience, she wishes to enter the field of animation or graphic design.
Lea Papakosmas, Multimedia Assistant
Lea Papakosmas joined the Marist Circle during her freshman year. Now as a sophomore, she is a Multimedia Assistant. While studying with a Communication major and double concentration in Journalism and Public Relations, she aspires to work within the news media, entertainment, and lifestyle industries. With her growing love of writing, she enjoys writing articles about pop culture, entertainment, and campus news. Constantly working and pursuing her journalism passion, she can’t wait to see what her future and journalism career holds.
Mackenzie Boric, City/National News
Mackenzie Boric is a senior majoring in communications with a concentration in journalism from Poughkeepsie, New York. Her start with the circle was the fall semester of junior year as a staff writer and now the section editor of City/National News. Over the summer of 2023, she interned at the Highlands Current in Cold Spring, New York where she was able to bring her journalistic abilities to the real world. Mackenzie is continuing with the local paper as a freelance writer. She also has her hands in Marist SPJ, where she’s the social media director. You’ll usually find Mackenzie in the lobby in Lowell Thomas with her fellow journalism friends and a coffee in hand.
Jamie Holzmann, Marketing Director/ Distribution Leader
Jamie Holzmann is a junior majoring in Communications with a concentration in Journalism from Long Island, New York. She transferred to Marist in the spring of her sophomore year, and began writing for the Circle at the start of her junior year after enjoying her experience as an Assistant News Editor at her previous school’s newspaper. She has taken on the “Security/Crime Beats” for both papers and has greatly enjoyed working with both schools’ Security Departments. Outside of writing, she enjoys music, fitness and finding any reason to to try a new coffee shop. With a love for news and media, she hopes to eventually pursue a career in broadcast journalism. She looks forward to joining the editorial staff alongside other talented writers, as well expanding her journalism experience during her remaining time at Marist. She can’t wait to see what this semester has in store for the Circle!
Emma Gaecklein, Multimedia Assistant
Emma Gaecklein is a sophomore majoring in communications with a concentration in journalism and a minor in social justice from Searsport, Maine. They began writing for the Circle as a freshman, and are looking forward to continuing their work with the paper as a Multimedia Assistant. Emma is also a member of the Marist College Society of Professional Journalists and works as a coach at the Marist Poll. In their free time, they are usually listening to music or hanging around campus with their friends.