It’s not easy to share your thoughts and perspectives in the public domain, but these Notre Dame students are talented enough to do just that. The Observer is a unique collection of students who deliver pertinent news & sports updates, share their creativity, and find the perfect images that capture student life here at Notre Dame. The school and the ND community values all their hard work and dedication.
Please enjoy learning more about The Observer staff.
Grade 12
Isabella Holzer
| Name & Nickname | Isabella Holzer – “Holzer!” that’s how Mr. D greets meet each day… |
| Grade | 12 |
| Observer Role & (Year) | Editor & Writer (3rd) |
| Extra Curriculars @ ND | Choir & Bookclub |
| Interesting Fact(s) About Me | One time I went to a baseball game and they made me throw the first pitch as part of some kind of tradition. The pitch did not reach the catcher. To be fair, I was nine. |
| Other Interests & Clubs Outside ND | Playing piano and drawing. |
Saray Membrano
| Name & Nickname | Saray Membrano – “Sarah” – so that Starbucks baristas don’t fret |
| Grade | 12 |
| Observer Role & (Year) | Writer (3rd) |
| Extra Curriculars @ ND | Choir & Showchoir |
| Interesting Fact(s) About Me | Reading books is one of my favourite hobbies, fall and winter are my favourite seasons despite the fact that I can’t handle the cold, and I have an unhealthy obsession with coffee. |
| Other Interests & Clubs Outside ND | I have an interest in baking and I love attempting brand new recipes. I have also been in dance for 8 years pursuing ballet and jazz. |
Dylan Nguyen
| Name & Nickname | Dylan Nguyen – “Dill Pickle” |
| Grade | 12 |
| Observer Role & (Year) | Writer (3rd) |
| Extra Curriculars @ ND | Stage crew; Debate; Bookclub |
| Interesting Fact(s) About Me | I bike religiously, sometimes going as far as 50 kilometres on carefully pre-planned routes. |
| Other Interests & Clubs Outside ND | I practice karate and play piano in my spare time, in addition to biking and hiking with friends. I am interested in aerospace/aviation, history, geopolitics, and jazz music. |
Mileva Rodriguez Ruiz
| Name & Nickname | Mileva Rodriguez Ruiz |
| Grade | 12 |
| Observer Role & (Year) | Writer (3rd) |
| Extra Curriculars @ ND | Bookclub & Social Justice |
| Interesting Fact(s) About Me | When I asked for interesting facts about me, my sister said I liked writing more than sleeping, so let’s roll with that. |
| Other Interests & Clubs Outside ND | Love going to the library and writing for hours on end – perhaps get a Matcha or Spanish latte. I take interest in social activism and would love to speak about it this year. |
Nina Stofati
| Name & Nickname | Nina Stofati |
| Grade | 12 |
| Observer Role & (Year) | Writer (3rd) |
| Extra Curriculars @ ND | Before the pandemic, I was a member of the Swim Team. I was also an altar server, was part of the Outdoor Club, Debate Club, and Art Club. I am also a member of the Notre Dame Jazz Ensemble. In Grade 11, I joined Book Club and Yearbook Club. |
| Interesting Fact(s) About Me | I speak two and a half languages. My English and French are fluent and I can speak Japanese to a certain extent. I also enjoy going on very, very long walks. My record so far has been 26,340 steps. In grade 11, I got a job at Mcdonald’s. |
| Other Interests & Clubs Outside ND | I practice classical saxophone but have recently been trying to learn jazz as well. I’m very interested in history, global politics, jazz/classical music, and gastronomy. |
Grade 11
Maddisen Ching
| Name & Nickname | Maddisen Ching – “Maddy” or “Ma-sen” |
| Grade | 11 |
| Observer Role & (Year) | Writer (1st) |
| Extra Curriculars @ ND | Value life club & Bookclub & Debate club |
| Interesting Fact(s) About Me | I can speak Laos My favourite subject is math I like to bake |
| Other Interests & Clubs Outside ND | Swimming Killarney youth council St. John’s ambulance first aid program |
Ayesha-Maria Di Tullio
| Name & Nickname | Ayesha-Maria De Tullio – “Ayesha” |
| Grade | 11 |
| Observer Role & (Year) | Writer (1st) |
| Extra Curriculars @ ND | Track & Field |
| Interesting Fact(s) About Me | I enjoy modelling, writing and practicing sports, such as soccer, tennis and volleyball but most importantly swimming. |
| Other Interests & Clubs Outside ND | I practice competitive swimming in a hyack team and am currently a part-time lifeguard. |
Aiden Diaz
| Name & Nickname | Aiden Diaz – “Aiden” |
| Grade | 11 |
| Observer Role & (Year) | Writer (2nd) |
| Extra Curriculars @ ND | Jazzband & Handbell Choir |
| Interesting Fact(s) About Me | Not interested in western novels despite reading too much. I have an interest in developing an RPG (JRPG) for the sake of bragging rights (and self-interest). |
| Other Interests & Clubs Outside ND | Biochemistry & Chess |
Hannah Enns
| Name & Nickname | Hannah Enns – “Hannah” |
| Grade | 11 |
| Observer Role & (Year) | Writer (1st) |
| Extra Curriculars @ ND | At Notre Dame, I have been a part of the soccer team since grade eight, along with the choir. The ND choir is quite large, specifically, I am a member of the Platinum Girls group. Then in grade nine, I decided to join the field hockey team. |
| Interesting Fact(s) About Me | If I could have any superpower I would want the ability to fly. My dream is to travel across Europe, starting with Santorini, Greece. I believe aliens do in fact exist. My favourite comfort food is McDonald’s strawberry banana smoothies. I would love to learn how to speak multiple languages. |
| Other Interests & Clubs Outside ND | Outside of school, I play soccer and handle transactions for a multi-billion dollar company…as a cashier at Buy-Low Foods. I like watching movies of all different genres, from actions to fantasies. I also enjoy baking and spending my time outdoors with friends and family. |
Gianluca Fornasier
| Name & Nickname | Gianluca Fornasier “Luca” |
| Grade | 11 |
| Observer Role & (Year) | Writer (1st) |
| Extra Curriculars @ ND | Band & Yearbook Club |
| Interesting Fact(s) About Me | I love listening to all kinds of music from varying genres and time periods. |
| Other Interests & Clubs Outside ND | I enjoy reading and on occasion, spending time outside and in the woods. |
Amaya Heyes
| Name & Nickname | Amaya Heyes – “Heyes” |
| Grade | 11 |
| Observer Role & (Year) | Writer (1st) |
| Extra Curriculars @ ND | At ND, I play on the girl’s soccer team. I really enjoy it because I can play the sport I love with friends from school. |
| Interesting Fact(s) About Me | Some interesting facts about me are that I play soccer, I love travelling, and I like to meet new people. I also love to go camping, as I go every summer with my family and friends. |
| Other Interests & Clubs Outside ND | An interest I have is trying new things; whether it’s a new sport or club, I’ll be open to anything. |
Strachan Liberman
| Name & Nickname | Strachan Liberman – “Slibes” |
| Grade | 11 |
| Observer Role & (Year) | Sports Writer (1st) |
| Extra Curriculars @ ND | Football & Track |
| Interesting Fact(s) About Me | I had heart surgery when I was four, I have met the Saints. I am the 3rd fastest U17 in BC for the 200 and 400m. |
| Other Interests & Clubs Outside ND | My main focus outside of school is football. It is a year-round commitment: for Game Ready Elite Football, Team BC, and the Coquitlam Cheetahs. Outside of that, I really enjoy the outdoors and spending time with my friends. |
Alexandra Macachor
| Name & Nickname | Alexandra Macachor – “Alex” |
| Grade | 11 |
| Observer Role & (Year) | Editor (1st) |
| Extra Curriculars @ ND | Jazz Band |
| Interesting Fact(s) About Me | I have a 1st-degree black belt in Taekwondo. I am also technically and legally allowed to bow hunt in the United States (but I don’t because hunting seems mean). |
| Other Interests & Clubs Outside ND | I do Taekwondo and archery (Olympic Recurve). I enjoy reading. Mainly fiction involving different mythologies and magic. I also enjoy writing fanfiction and drawing. |
Nicah Setchell
| Name & Nickname | Nichah Setchell – “Setch” |
| Grade | 11 |
| Observer Role & (Year) | Social Media (1st) |
| Extra Curriculars @ ND | Basketball & Soccer |
| Interesting Fact(s) About Me | An interesting fact about me is that I enjoy painting and drawing. |
| Other Interests & Clubs Outside ND | Some interests of mine outside of school are playing soccer, skiing and biking. |
Vanessa Wong
| Name & Nickname | Vanessa Wong – “Wong” |
| Grade | 11 |
| Observer Role & (Year) | Writer (1st) |
| Extra Curriculars @ ND | Choir & Showchoir |
| Interesting Fact(s) About Me | I enjoy shopping and spending time with friends and family when I’m not at school. I also enjoy travelling in the summers and volunteering with kids in their classrooms or dance classes. |
| Other Interests & Clubs Outside ND | Outside of school, I participate in competitive dance in multiple styles. I have danced for the past 14 years and competed for the last 10. |
Jessie Woo
| Name & Nickname | Jesse Woo – “Woo” |
| Grade | 11 |
| Observer Role & (Year) | Writer (1st) |
| Extra Curriculars @ ND | Handbell Choir |
| Interesting Fact(s) About Me | I enjoy being outside and surrounding myself in nature, but at the same time, I equally enjoy staying indoors and watching thriller movies by myself. |
| Other Interests & Clubs Outside ND | A hobby of mine is venturing into the arts during my leisure time. I am also interested in photography; capturing awesome photos, especially from nature. |
Grade 10
Chloe Cabanlig
| Name & Nickname | Chloe Cabanlig – “Chloe” |
| Grade | 10 |
| Observer Role & (Year) | Photographer (1st) |
| Extra Curriculars @ ND | Nope |
| Interesting Fact(s) About Me | I like to journal in my free time. |
| Other Interests & Clubs Outside ND | Helping kids at camp. |
Aryana Fakhri
| Name & Nickname | Aryana Fakhri – “Ary” |
| Grade | 10 |
| Observer Role & (Year) | Writer (1st) |
| Extra Curriculars @ ND | I am currently not in any extra ND curriculars besides the Notre Dame Observer but when the new school year starts I would like to try joining clubs I’ve never tried before like Student Council or Field Hockey. |
| Interesting Fact(s) About Me | A few interesting facts about me are that I’m half Filipino and half Afghan. When I finish High school I want to be a flight engineer and help design more efficient and eco-friendly air-crafts. Lastly, I am very spirited! |
| Other Interests & Clubs Outside ND | I haven’t been able to choose one sport or hobby that I am really passionate about which is why I like trying out new things; everything seems interesting in its own way so I try my best to have a slice of everything. Right now I am mostly focused on my work outside of school. |
Samantha Kwong
| Name & Nickname | Samantha Kwong – “Sam” |
| Grade | 10 |
| Observer Role & (Year) | Writer (1st) |
| Extra Curriculars @ ND | ND Show and Concert Choir ND Soloists Yearbook Club Art Club (if available this year; was a member in grade 8) |
| Interesting Fact(s) About Me | I am of Chinese and Portuguese descent and can speak Cantonese. My favourite season is Winter because I find the scenery calming and I enjoy the cold crisp air. In the future, I hope to travel to South Korea and attend a concert. |
| Other Interests & Clubs Outside ND | During my free time I enjoy drawing, baking, dancing, reading, listening to music and taking pictures. Currently, I am interested in Kpop and anime. Outside of school, I attend Kpop dance classes and volunteer. In addition, I spend time with family and friends. |
Kathleen Nicolas
| Name & Nickname | Kathleen Nicolas – “Kathleen” |
| Grade | 10 |
| Observer Role & (Year) | Photographer (1st) |
| Extra Curriculars @ ND | Yearbook |
| Interesting Fact(s) About Me | I love helping others in need. |
| Other Interests & Clubs Outside ND | Travelling around B.C. |
Maria Perna
| Name & Nickname | Maria Perna – “Mia” |
| Grade | 10 |
| Observer Role & (Year) | Writer (1st) |
| Extra Curriculars @ ND | Some of my extracurricular activities at ND include being a devoted member of the debate club, art club, soloists club and show choir. |
| Interesting Fact(s) About Me | An interesting fact about me is that I have known what I want to be when I grow up since I was 5 years old and have stuck to it since. That being, a civil rights lawyer. |
| Other Interests & Clubs Outside ND | Some of my interests include my love of reading, creative writing, singing and playing guitar. Outside of ND, I do triathlon and musical theatre. |
