Eric-Ross McLaren is a native New Yorker but currently lives in Pennsylvania. He is obsessed with drinking coffee, shopping, running, cycling, and checking the ZAGAT for the best restaurants. Eric-Ross is also the lead editor for a publication in the Greater Philadelphia Area and an avid blogger. ericross@thebeanmag.com

Ava Andrews is a Manhattan native who loves exploring the city and finding the coziest and most obscure bookstores. She founded and hosts her school’s podcast as well as operates her own website and blog, Unsheepish. aandrews@thebeanmag.com

Anjali Patel is an avid writer and aspiring international journalist. Although raised in Singapore, she now lives in New York, where she can be found working as an editor for her school’s newspaper, discussing current issues at her Gender Equality Club, or getting lost in a local museum.

Dorothy Knutson is a student in the Washington DC area. She doubles as an ice hockey player by day and a writer/artist by night. Dorothy also loves traveling and starting conversations, and she has dreams of changing the world as well as living out of a suitcase.

Sofia Ortiz was born and raised in New York City. She is half Greek and half Puerto Rican. She currently goes to Fiorello H. LaGuardia High School of Music & Art and Performing Arts for drama. She loves to read, write, and perform.

Anjali Pajjuri resides in the San Francisco Bay Area. A firm believer in the power of storytelling, she's an advocate for and avid participant of the performing arts. Sondheim musicals, The Incredibles franchise, and peanut butter with bananas are just a few of the many topics she finds are encompassing of her own identity.

Viktoria Wulff-Andersen is a 17-year-old journalist from Danbury, Connecticut. Her passion for writing has allowed her to be published in over 10 different news sources (including the YRIS) and become the editor-in-chief of her school's newspaper, literary journal, and yearbook. When she's not pursuing her ambitions, Viktoria can be found playing her violin or engaging in heated political debates.

Madison Loughlin is a junior from Brooklyn, New York. She enjoys reading, writing, and singing. Madison can be found working as an editor for her school publications or re-watching Netflix series.

Carin Gotru is a British-Asian writer currently residing in Wales, UK. She loves to travel and has visited over 17 countries! She professionally plays the piano and violin and loves to read and watch documentaries!

Kashika Sharma is currently a senior in the San Francisco Bay Area. Besides being a major biology nerd, she loves writing for her school newspaper, reading all kinds of books, obsessing over breakfast foods, and meeting new people!

Abadai Zoboi identifies as an artist, thinker, and learner. Born and raised in Brooklyn, Abadai finds inspiration from rich cultures and diverse people who influence her writing, dancing, and creations. When she isn’t daydreaming, Abadai loves to play Monopoly with her family and take walks around her neighborhood in New Jersey. Abadai is currently an undergraduate student in Western Massachusetts.

Chris Chen was born and raised in New York City, and he loves all things having to do with writing, creativity, discovering new genres of music, and new things.