Ava Battinelli, Editor-In-Chief
Ava Battinelli is a senior from River Vale, New Jersey, majoring in Communications with a concentration in Journalism and a minor in Photography. She started writing for the Circle during her first semester of freshman year and served as Co-Campus News Editor in her sophomore and junior years, and Co-Managing Editor during her junior year. Now, she is beyond excited to take on the role of Editor-in-Chief!
Ben Leeds, Co-Managing Editor
Ben Leeds is a senior from Trumbull, Connecticut, majoring in Communications 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 took on the role of Co-Campus News Editor. Now, he works as a Co-Managing Editor. Additionally, Ben is the Editor-In-Chief for Center Field, Marist’s student-run online sports publication, where he is the women’s volleyball beat writer.
Cora Flynn, Co-Managing and Co-Features Editor
Cora is a senior Communications major with a concentration in Journalism and a minor in Studio Art. She is from Kensington, Maryland, and started writing for the Marist Circle her freshman year. Cora worked on the For The Record editorial team in Spring 2024 and was the Co-Arts & Culture editor and a member of the multimedia team last fall. She is very excited to work as Co-Managing Editor and Co-Features Editor this year.
Emma Gaecklein, Copy Chief and Co-City/National Editor
Emma Gaecklein is a senior from Searsport, Maine, majoring in Communication with a concentration in Journalism and a minor in Social Justice. She started writing for the Marist Circle her sophomore year and has served as a City/National editor her junior and senior years. In the spring of her junior year, Emma studied abroad in Dublin, Ireland, where she wrote an investigative article about proposed bylaws that could potentially impact on-street soup kitchens in Dublin. She spent this summer interning at The Daily Catch in Red Hook, filming and editing short video reports about events in Red Hook and Rhinebeck. She is excited to return to campus as Copy Chief and as a Co-City/National Editor!
Amina Orzueva, Co-City/National News Editor
Amina Orzueva is a sophomore from Brooklyn New York majoring in political science and global studies with minors in history and Africana Studies. She started writing for the Circle during her first semester of freshman year. She is excited to take on the role of co-editor for the city/national section pitching and editing stories to inform the community.
Ava Verret, Co-Opinion Editor
Ava Verret is a sophomore majoring in secondary history education from Long Island, New York. She became a staff writer her freshman year, focusing on topics surrounding politics, popular culture, and current events. During this semester, she is honored to be one of the co-opinion editors. Outside of the Circle, Ava is a member of Teachers of Tomorrow and has interests in music, politics, and the New York Yankees. After College, Ava intends to be a history teacher.
Quinn DeFiore, Chief of Graphic Design
Quinn is a Sophomore from North Attleboro, Massachusetts, majoring in Communication with a dual concentration in Sports Communication and Advertising as well as a minor in Graphic Design. He joined the Circle at the end of his freshman year after gaining tons of experience with Center Field, Marist’s student-run online sports publication. He is now the Chief of Graphic Design for the Circle and hopes to pursue a career in sports graphic design.
Christina Brown, Graphic Design Assistant
Christina Brown is a Junior from West Caldwell, New Jersey. She is majoring in Communications with a concentration in Advertising and a minor in graphic design. When she is not working on layout and design with the graphic design team, she is likely working to plan events and agency trips for the Marist Ad Association. Christina also loves drawing, motion graphics, playing tennis, snowboarding, and playing the electric bass. Christina is excited to be working with the Circle again this year and cannot wait to see what the team has in store!
Katie Verde, Administrative Assistant and Copy Editor
Katie Verde is a sophomore from Woodcliff Lake, New Jersey majoring in Communications with a concentration in Journalism and a minor in Creative Writing on the Pre-Law track. A dedicated and enthusiastic writer, she has been writing for the Circle since her freshman year, particularly passionate about entertainment writing. She is thrilled to serve as a Copy Editor and Administrative Assistant alongside the talented editorial board this semester. Aside from the Circle, Katie is a member of the Marist University Society of Professional Journalists and works in the admissions office with the Marist Ambassadors Program. With a deep commitment to powerful storytelling, Katie is eager to make a meaningful impact on the Marist campus this year.
Amanda Gorrin, Multimedia Assistant
Amanda Gorrin is a Sophomore from Park Ridge, New Jersey, majoring in Communications with concentrations in Journalism and Public Relations and minoring in Music. She joined the Circle during the first semester of freshman year and fell in love with the camaraderie and the writing. In addition to the Circle, Amanda is a Social Media Chair for MCTV, Secretary of the Marist Band, a Tour Guide with the Office of Admissions, Vice President of Service for Kappa Kappa Psi, and involved in many instrumental music ensembles on campus. Aside from her extracurricular activities, Amanda enjoys color guard, traveling, hanging with friends, and seeing Broadway shows. In the future, Amanda hopes to become a social media coordinator or a broadcast journalist.
Hannah Tone, Co-Campus News Editor and Multimedia Director
Hannah Tone is a senior from Waldwick, NJ, majoring in Communications with a dual concentration in Journalism and Public Relations with a minor in Business. She is also a part of Marist’s 4+1 IMC Program, in which she is studying Digital Marketing. Hannah began writing for the Marist Circle at the start of her freshman year, covering campus events and arts and culture news. Hannah is also an Account Executive for North Road Communications and works as a Public Relations Intern for Maracaibo Media Group. When not writing for the Marist Circle you can find her spending time outside or scrolling through social media looking for new trends!
Owen Whelan, Co-Features Editor
Owen Whelan is a junior, majoring in Spanish education and minoring in AI. Hailing from Nanuet, New York, Owen began writing for the circle in ‘23 and editing in ‘25, returning to the Co-Features Editor role this semester after time abroad in Spain. His writing focuses on the student experience, behind-the-scenes at Marist, and opinions about student life. Outside of the Circle, Owen works for Digital Education, leads the D&D subcommittee of Marist Games Society, and develops personal creative projects.
Ciara Molloy, Co-Arts & Culture Editor
Ciara Molloy is a senior from Queens, NY majoring in history with a minor in journalism. She began writing for the Circle in her sophomore year hoping to explore a new interest with writing for her college publication. She served as a staff writer throughout her sophomore and junior years, and she is excited to step into the role of Co-Arts & Culture Editor for senior year! Outside of the Circle, Ciara is part of the Marist Dance Ensemble and has interests in music, movies and all things pop culture related.
Lilian DeFilippis, Photo Editor
Lilian DeFilippis is a senior from Leonia, New Jersey. She’s in the Honors Program majoring in History and Communications with a concentration in Journalism, and has three minors in Africana Studies, Medieval Renaissance Studies, and Music. She is active all throughout the Marist campus, and can usually be found doing one thing or another. She started working with the Circle her freshman year, but stepped up her involvement in her junior year. In her free time, Lily loves to hike, bike, read, and be outside. She’s excited to join the editorial staff in her last year at Marist!
Ruby McMahon, Graphic Design Assistant
Ruby McMahon is a junior from Niantic, Connecticut, and is majoring in Fashion Merchandising with a minor in Environmental Science. In her time at Marist, she has been most excited to participate in creative campus projects, such as writing for the Mosaic Magazine, modeling in SNR 39, and as of most recently, being a team member for Measure Magazine and the Circle. She is so excited to get to design for such an impactful publication at Marist!
Ben Rossi, Copy Editor
Ben Rossi is a junior from Milford, Connecticut, majoring in Communications with a dual concentration in Journalism and Sports Communication along with a minor in Africana Studies. He started writing for the Circle during the first semester of his sophomore year and took on the role of Co-City/National News Editor the following semester. Now, he works as a Copy Editor. Outside of the Circle, Ben also writes for Center Field, Marist’s student-run online sports publication and is a Sports Information Intern for Marist Athletics.
Emma Stuber, Multimedia Assistant
Emma Stuber is a senior from Baltimore, Maryland majoring in Communications with a concentration in Journalism and a minor in Graphic Design. She joined the Circle as a staff writer her freshman year and enjoyed the creative freedom that pitching articles has allowed her. She is the current President and past Vice President of Marist’s Society of Professional Journalists as well as the Webmaster of the Outing Club. She is also a Student Ambassador for the Communications Department, a Student Assistant for the library, and enjoys drawing, hiking, and listening to music in her free time.
Eric Johnston, Co-Campus News Editor
Eric Johnston is a senior majoring in English and minoring in Journalism from Wappingers Falls, New York. He began writing for the Circle during his second semester, and has covered campus events, sports, music, and student issues. He is excited and honored to take the responsibility of co-heading the front pages of the Circle this year. Outside of the Circle, Eric works at the Marist Poll, tutors, and proofreads. He is an avid fan of the New York Jets, New York Mets, and New York Rangers, and enjoys music, cars, video games, and the amusement park industry.
Lindsey Clinton, Co-Opinion Editor
Lindsey Clinton is a junior with a double major in political science and communications with a concentration in journalism and a music minor. She joined the Marist Circle in the beginning of her freshmen year and has been the Co-Opinion Editor since her sophomore year. Lindsey also works at the Marist Poll as the Student Director for Quality Assurance and Enhancement, is a Director of Sirens A Cappella, and is the Co-Chair of Marist Votes!
Emily Klena, Co-Arts & Culture Editor
Emily Klena is a sophomore from New Jersey, majoring in Communications with dual concentrations in Journalism and Public Relations. She has been writing for The Circle since her freshman year, and since then, she knew she had found her passion. Initially drawn to the arts and culture section, she quickly fell in love with The Circle’s work and the creative voice journalism gave her to explore her passions in arts and media. Over time, her interests have grown to include coverage of global and environmental issues. Emily is thrilled to continue her work with The Circle this year as Co-Arts and Culture Editor and Multimedia Assistant, and looks forward to contributing meaningful ideas!
Marisa Brown, Graphic Design Assistant
Marisa Brown is a Junior majoring in Communications with concentrations in Advertising and PR and a minor in Graphic Design. Marisa is a member of the graphic design team and has been a part of the Circle since her first semester at Marist. When she is not working for the Circle, Marisa is the president of Marist Ad Association and works as a graphic designer and office assistant for the School of Communication and the Arts. She is also starting a position at the Center for Social Media. She is a member of North Road Communications, the Gardening Club, and a cover editor for the Mosaic. Apart from these clubs, Marisa’s interests include playing and listening to music, art, fashion, tennis, and hanging out with friends.
Jacquelyn Drain, Copy Editor
Jacquelyn is a sophomore from West Hartford, CT majoring in Communications with a concentration in Journalism and a minor in Political Science. She began working for the Circle as a Staff Writer the beginning of her freshman year. She started as a copy editor her sophomore year and is excited to get back into the role after studying abroad. She is passionate about writing and hopes to pursue a career as a journalist specializing in international affairs.