Spring 2021 Staff
Looking for other staff members? Spring 2023; Fall 2022; Spring 2022; Fall 2021; Spring 2021; Fall 2020
Gavin Aquin Hernández ‘22
editor-in-chief
Gavin is a history and Hispanic studies double-major residing in Alexandria, VA. When not managing Flat Hat Magazine or fixing computers, you can find him cosying up with a book or attempting to be a YouTuber. Gavin is father to Chewie (legally Sir Chewbacca I), a Pembroke Welsh Corgi who has been eating his leather shoes since 2016. He doesn’t know what grown-up job he wants, but he hopes to somehow spend the next decade travelling across Europe, the Middle East, and Latin America. He speaks five languages, so he’s employable. Someone please give him a job.
alyssa slovin ‘22
editor-in-chief
Alyssa is an English and marketing double-major from South Jersey. If you see her stranded on the side of the road, it’s because she can’t pump her own gas. Someone once told her that she looked like she gave off decaf coffee vibes. Strange, right? Well, he was correct. Her talents include accidentally falling asleep with the lights on, being offered the kids menu well into her college career, and sitting for twelve hours straight to watch the complete Sharknado movie marathon. Her favourite spot on campus is the tree in front of Swem Library with the tiny stuffed horse perched on a branch. She named him Horace.
matthew kortan ‘22
creative director
Matthew is a geology major currently residing in Milwaukee, WI. When he is not out tracking mythological beasts and other urban legends, you might find Matthew experimenting with distortions on his bass guitar while watching spaghetti westerns. He encourages students seeking a jam session and/or discussion over matters relevant to Flat Hat Magazine to reach out to him via email, so long as said students are not fans of Phish or the Dave Matthews Band.
ellie kurlander ‘24
creative director
Ellie is a government and art history double-major from Atlanta, GA. Her passions include Pine scented candles, all things ABBA, cuddling with her dogs Freddie Mercury and Mo, and petitioning to ban the production of all Jeep Trucks. Ellie’s most notable claim to fame is when her dog peed on Joe Biden’s sister.
rebecca klinger ‘22
digital director
Rebecca is a film & media major and management minor from Virginia Beach, VA. She is the proud owner of three pairs of crocs, in which she can often be seen traipsing around campus and DoG Street. In her free time, Becca enjoys munching on Sharp White Cheddar Cheez-it Grooves while making chaotic photoshopped images, Spotify playlists, and emailing companies asking for free stuff. Seriously, Smash Mouth sent her a shirt. If you recognise Rebecca on campus; say hi, she’s almost always in need of a breather.
jr herman ‘24
managing editor
JR Herman is a Classics and Ancient Near East & Africa Studies double-major from Norfolk, VA. You can probably find JR on her laptop (her natural habitat) doing the usual: checking email, editing, designing graphics, jamming out to French bops, deciphering Ancient Egyptian hieroglyphs, or writing a letter to the governor in Latin. Feel free to reach out to JR to talk about anything—the importance of the Oxford comma, what JR stands for, favourite literary classics, meme trends, amongst other quirky and niche topics.
linda li ‘24
deputy editor
Linda is government major from Shanghai, China, but Canada is her second home. She is perennially listening to Spotify, and a few of her favourite tunes are K-indie, jazz, and synth pop. Though she dearly misses Chinese food (read: not orange chicken), Caf’s mosaic station will always have a place in her heart. In her free time, Linda enjoys reading sustainable fashion blogs, cooking noodle dishes, and exploring on a bike.
bushra bablu ‘24
business manager
Bushra is a government and economics double-major from Arlington, VA. She enjoys watching reality tv programmes, Disney movies, and much more. Her favourite food is pasta, but she does not like ravioli. She also does not like onion rings because she thinks they taste funky. Her major talent is taking naps on command. Sometimes she enjoys running, but only if she’s listening to music. You can find Bushra frequenting her favourite Colonial Williamsburg establishments: Aromas, Illy Caffè, and Baskin Robins.
Mary Trimble ‘23
Editor-at-large
Mary Trimble is a French and European studies double-major and as a devotee of Williamsburg coffee shops, her most difficult task as editor will be remaining neutral on the question of the superior café in the 'Burg. She uses all the coffee she consumes to fuel her research assisting with the Teaching, Research and International Policy Project at the Global Research Institute and her resident assisting with W&M Residence Life. After all that assisting, she is probably sleeping. If she’s not doing that, she can be found watching any number of movies released before 1965 or explaining to people why, even though she is from Louisiana, she has the most generic accent known to man (the answer is also why she is a French and European studies major).
nina raneses ‘22
copy chief
Nina Raneses is a government major and sociology minor from Alexandria, VA. She is also The Flat Hat newspaper's copy chief, so much of this semester will be spent remembering to omit Oxford commas or protecting Oxford commas from harm for the appropriate publication. She doesn't have strong opinions for or against the Oxford comma; she can wear different style guide hats and sleep soundly at night regardless — unlike others in this line of work. On campus, Nina is also a resident assistant and a transfer admissions intern. Her nearly 3-hour-long Spotify playlist that chronicles the doomed life of Anne Boleyn through artists that range from Ariana Grande to Grimes should tell you everything need to know about her interests.
sabrina el shanti ‘22
COPY CHIEF
Sabrina is a biology major on the Pre-Dental track from Yorktown, VA. As someone who was blessed to be spit on by Harry Styles, it is fitting that she is still in her One Direction phase. When she isn’t spending her free time scrolling through TikTok or dm-ing celebrities on instagram, you can see her walking across campus in her tie dye crocs drinking a medium Dunkin’ iced coffee with cream and sugar. Sabrina loves to crochet, talk trash about your zodiac sign, and is ready to debate why Team Edward is far superior. If you hear her speaking in an English accent, yes you did.
Kennedy hess ‘22
copy chief
Kennedy is Biology major, pre-med student from Southwestern Virginia. She enjoys embracing her Scottish heritage by watching Outlander and making her boyfriend wear a kilt to renaissance fairs. As a pumpkin spice latte connoisseur, she believes it is a disgrace that none of the coffee shops on campus are open after 5pm this semester. When she’s not sleeping into the early afternoon, you can usually find her kicking people at Taekwondo or in a study nook in Swem. Her most listened to playlist is called “Best Song(s) Ever,” and it exclusively consists of the One Direction discography, as well as the members’ respective solo music. She enjoys discussing matters involving Cookout, sweet tea, and ISC navigation. Any correspondence related to Flat Hat Magazine or Copy issues should be directed to Sabrina El Shanti.
zachary lutzky ‘24
multimedia editor
Zachary Lutzky is a physics major from Baltimore, MD. He spends his free time walking the woods and Colonial Williamsburg taking photos and enjoying nature. If you see Zach in the wild, there is a 75% chance he will have his camera on him with a big lens attached. Zachary is passionate about photography, science, and history. He is always willing to teach people about photography and take their photos.
Justin Sherlock ‘23
Multimedia editor
Justin is a biology and film & media double-major from Danville, VA, Hampton, VA, and Gainesville, FL (military family). On campus, he is involved with many things photography-related: photo club, The Flat Hat newspaper and intro photo! He’s currently going through a slight Kacey Musgraves phase, but only Golden Hour. His favourite social media sites are LinkedIn and Tinder. In between classes you can usually find Justin listening to lo-fi hiphop beats or casual indie pop on Sadler terrace. He believes Taco Bell creates the foundation for vegetarians world-wide and considered writing a strongly-worded letter to the CEO when potatoes were discontinued (the spicy potato taco is the most joyous food in this world).
Email Justin
mary beth bauermann ‘24
social media editor
Mary Beth is a sophomore from just outside of Baltimore, MD, double majoring in American Studies and English. On campus, she works at the Writing Resources Center, teaches Cardio Dance at the Rec, writes for Vinyl Tap Magazine, and tap dances with the Rhythm and Taps club. When her nose isn't in a book, you can find her playing guitar with her band, searching for zen on her yoga mat, listening to music like it’s going out of style, eating peanut butter, and watching every TV show and film starring David Tennant. Mary Beth is a proud Beatlemaniac and if you ever ask her about The Beatles, there's a fairly good chance that she will never stop talking.
Drew Shao ‘25
Style editor
Drew is a freshman and an undeclared major from the San Francisco Bay Area, CA. He doesn’t know how he ended up in Virginia. In his free time, Drew enjoys thinking about his motorcycle and making sustained eye contact with strangers on the street. This Christmas, he will probably ask Santa for the expedited collapse of techno-industrial society. If you spot Drew on campus, remain still, stay calm, and avoid making sudden movements or loud noises. Move away slowly without turning your back until you have retreated to a safe distance.
Andrés Bencomo Magaña ‘22
Spanish Editor
Andrés is a computer science and applied mathematics double-major from good ol’ Culpeper, VA. Outside of his academics, he works at the IT help desk and is involved in his social fraternity. His hobbies include hanging out with his friends, learning about technology, listening to music, and journaling. As the “redactor de artículos en español,” Andrés loves learning and teaching others about the intricacies of Spanish grammar. He also enjoys eating good food, learning about math and coding, and scrolling on social media for the latest and greatest celebrity tea.
Drew Kittredge ‘24
Product manager
Drew is a sophomore is from Alexandria, VA and is pursuing a pre-med track with a major in either chemistry or biology. Drew began modelling for Flat Hat Magazine when he was approached about wearing a gorilla costume. Shortly after, the picture went viral and his career with the Flat Hat Magazine began. He went on to become one of the Finest Flat Hat Models on Campus™️ (FFHMOC). Drew has many sides to him. He is a twin, an RA, a college tour guide, and he is sometimes a gorilla — but not since 2020. Following the modelling hit, Drew became entwined with Flat Hat Magazine and Flat Hat Magazine was enamoured with Drew. He looks forward to diving into the belly of the beast and increasing merch sales until the magazine can finally afford basic things like a second gorilla costume.