Get to Know Us
Anastasia Toha
Founder; Editor in Chief
The idea sparked in the midst of the COVID-19 Pandemic when Anastasia began to realise the effect of the hateful and negative news on her mental wellbeing and those around her. She is the founder, director, creator, designer and promoter of The Brightside. But also a student, musician, avid baker, swimmer, runner and tea-holic. A 16-year-old in Cheltenham, her aim is to ‘brighten someone’s day.’
Sumedha Mohanty
Deputy Editor
Sumedha Mohanty live sin Houston, Texas. She is 14 years old 9th grader. She has been part of her school’s debate team and has successfully participated in various tournaments. She loves to keep track of events across various spheres of life around the world and understanding and communicating their implications on society. In her free time, she likes to play tennis and read books.
Elina Mohan
Lead Editor
Elina Mohan is from New Delhi, India. She is currently in the 10th grade. She is very inquisitive and loves questioning ideas and learning new concepts. She enjoys studying history, biology as well as economics. She is very passionate about basketball as well as theatre and want to go into psychology in the future. She is very ardent about raising awareness about pressing global issues. She looks forward to working towards raising our voices to spread positivity.
Hannah Brooks-Hughes
Editor
Hannah is 16 and lives and studies in Gloucestershire and is doing History, Maths, Physics and Music. She would like to study either Music or History or maybe PPE at university. She is a fact-checker and editor so she’s really looking forward to reading the articles and checking them out! Her Instagram is h.n.h.x if you want to contact her :)
Fiza Jain
Editor
Fiza is currently pursuing her MA in International Journalism from Cardiff University. Since her childhood, she has been fascinated with news and news reporting. Her favourite chill time activities are reading and writing, basically about anything and everything. She has worked for various news agencies. And she believes that Knowledge is power and with it, you can win all the battles.
Angela Lin
Editor
Angela is a grade 10 student from Canada. She is a mental health advocate and has also continuously fought for societal issues like racial injustice, gender equality, the LBGTQ+ community, and more ever since she was educated on what they were. She is planning on studying psychology in the future and is excited to join Brightside Magazine as an editor. In her free-time, you can find her in a library, reading a book or writing a story.
Alice Manning
Editor
Alice is 21 and she’s going into her final year of study at the University of York (English/History). After she graduates she’s hoping to take a Masters course before going into a career in journalism or marketing. She’s really excited to be joining The Brightside as an Editor 🙂
Vansh Madaan
Researcher
Vansh is a guy from India with a pleasing personality, he always looks up to amazing opportunities where he can explore himself and contribute the same for society. He is a huge sports lover, especially Cricket. He is grateful to be a part of The Brightside magazine where he is learning to be more positive in life.
Hafiza Samath
Researcher
Hafiza Samath hails from a small island called Penang situated in the northernmost part of peninsular Malaysia. She is a penultimate law student in the University of London. Hafiza has been heavily involved with different United Nations Associations around the globe where she coaches and judges Model UN conferences. She also writes and reports for various news platforms in which she was applauded for her write up on injustices faced by Australian aboriginals.
Kashish Madaan
Social Media Manager
Kashish Madaan is from India.He is a music addict and also has a constant creative itch that keeps him scratching around for more ideas. The Brightside magazine helped him to be more optimistic and positive in life, he is looking forward to some great memories.
Saloni Sivalumar
Social Media Manager
Saloni Sivalumar is a grade 12 student from India. She is fond of Biology and computing, especially their intersection- Computational Biology. She loves to volunteer at NGOs dealing with STEM and health by utilizing her graphic designing skills. She's worked with over 3 organisations fighting period poverty across India in the past 2 years. She's looking forward to learning and providing others with positive news through The Brightside.
Risha Villeza
Magazine Designer
Risha Leann Villeza is from the Philippines. She just finished Senior High last June. She studied 3D Animation and Technical Drafting. She’s interested in doing digital works and doing Graphic Designs. Also, she’s interested in telling to others the real situation on what’s really out there and she doesn’t want them to give false information. She’s looking forward to work with everyone and spread the Bright Side of our World.
Sophie Roberts
Magazine Designer
Sophie is 17 years old currently studying in England. From a young age, she’s always been exposed to and fascinated by different languages and cultures and so she can’t wait to share these stories and present them in a creative and engaging way. She hopes that through this initiative, we will continue to provide a source of positivity for all!
Willow Brenig
Lead Writer: Global Events, Environment and Entertainment and Arts
Willow is a 16-year-old from Maryland. She has a passion for baking and is studying business in school in hopes of one day open her own bakery! She also is currently working towards becoming a certified 200-hour yoga teacher. Willow can speak 3 languages and dreams of travelling the world!
Vasundhara Chaudhary
Lead Writer: Science and Medicine, UK Events, Sports
Vasundhara Chaudhary is from Chandigarh, India. She is a 12th grader studying physics, chemistry and biology. In her spare time, she enjoys writing, painting, oratory, dancing and spreading happiness and kindness. She has a keen interest in mythology as well.
Kathryn Chia
Lead Writer: Science and Medicine, UK Events, Sports
Kathryn is a student currently in lower sixth studying in the UK. She loves all things related to Medicine, Science and healthcare and is really excited to be part of the team.
Carly Crickenberger
Lead Writer: Entertainment and Arts
Inass Essrhir
Lead Writer: Global Events, Environment
Inass Essrhir is a 22 year old from Morocco. She is a second-year Master student at Abdelmalek Essadi University in Martil-Morocco. Besides studies, she is a facilitator at Soliya, a Debate Exchange Team Leader at Anna Lindh Foundation, and a debater at Young Mediterranean Voices. She is also fond of voluntary work, which is why she is a member of different NGOs, such as Atlas for Development, Young Minds Global, and Our Future of Change. Writing for The Brightside Magazine is an opportunity to develop her skills in written English and expand my knowledge in various fields.
April Evangelista
Lead Writer: Environment
April is from The Philippines. She is a Climate Reality Leader, an environmentalist, and a Youth Advocate. She is currently studying BS Psychology at a state university in her town. She loves reading and connecting with her people who have a passionate interest in doing what they love the most. Psychology taught her many things she didn’t know and as a lead writer, she is deeply honoured to share this awesome knowledge with you!
Tiffany Fang
Lead Writer: Entertainment and Arts, Global Events; Lead Editor
Tiffany Fang is a high school Junior who is very passionate about writing, especially in regards to current events, business, and entertainment. She has been an avid reader since a very young age and has always dreamed of writing for a magazine. Having always been interested in humanities, Tiffany's goal is not only to entertain readers but to educate and spread awareness as well. Her goal as a young writer is to offer a different perspective on the various events that occur in this, as the youth are the future. She hopes to pursue a career in business, journalism, or psychology. She loves books, music, fashion, cinema, photography, and video editing. She recently started a club at her school called "Positivity for Patients" that aims to spread positivity towards cancer patients through colorful drawings and kind words. Tiffany currently lives in Northern Virginia with her family and German Shephard.
Antonina Fastova
Lead Writer: Science and Medicine, Environment
Antonina is going into her last year at school. She hopes to go into medicine, but at the moment, she is applying for health behaviour and psychology in the US. In today’s world full of pain and disarray, she thinks it is important to remind ourselves that it isn’t all bad out there. She is very passionate about making the world a better place, and she is excited to spread positivity through sharing the good in the world- especially in her interests in the environment and mental health.
Immy Higgins
Lead Writer: Business, Entertainment and Arts, Global Events
Immy is 21 and lives in Oxfordshire but is currently studying English Literature at Durham University and will be going into her final year in September. She is hoping to pursue a career in journalism, primarily Features and Arts & Culture writing. She is really interested in writing for the Entertainment & Arts section of The Brightside.
Dina Liabeuf
Lead Writer: Business, Entertainment and Arts
Dina is 16 years old and live sin London. She is French and Moroccan and speaks French fluently (but not Arabic :disappointed: ). Her favourite subjects are History and Drama. In the future, she would like to pursue a career as a film director or screenwriter. She loves drawing and making comic strips in her free time. She is also highly interested in politics. In the Sixth Form, she is taking the IB and her subjects are Chemistry, History and Economics at HL and Maths, English and Spanish at SL.
Mia McLlwain
Lead Writer: Entertainment and Arts, Global Events
Mia is 14 and from Maryland, USA. She is a rising sophomore. In the future she’d like to pursue a career in writing, specifically screenwriting.