Nicholas R. Fiorillo

Editor-in-Chief of the Hawkeye

Mountlake Terrace, WA

A senior at Mountlake Terrace High School in Mountlake Terrace, Wash., Nick is the Editor-in-Chief of the Hawkeye, the online and print student news source of MTHS. Nick is a Free Spirit Scholar, chosen as the 2014 Washington delegate to the Al Neuharth Free Spirit and Journalism Conference in Washington, D.C. His interests include politics, journalism and education.

Nicholas R. Fiorillo

Editor-in-Chief of the Hawkeye

Mountlake Terrace, WA

Kayla Wheeler: Nothing she can’t do
Whether she’s assembling a rocket for rocketry club, delivering a monologue on stage, tinkering with parts for robotics, speaking Spanish to build her fluency, studying for her AP classes or doing laps in the pool, senior Kayla Wheeler is a true Renaissance woman. And she’s doing it despite all odds.
The devastating impact of prescription drug abuse hits home
Prescription drug abuse-related deaths have made national headlines in recent years – particularly in deaths involving celebrities, such as Heath Ledger, who died in 2008 from a drug overdose. But celebrities are not the only ones to abuse prescription drugs and pay the ultimate price. In fact, young people abuse prescription drugs far more than any other age demographic, according to the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA).
MTHS graduate witnesses SPU shooting: ‘he aimed the gun at us’
A 19-year-old male student was killed and two others were injured on Thursday when a gunman opened fire at Seattle Pacific University. The suspect has been identified as Aaron Ybarra, 26, a Mountlake Terrace resident. The Seattle Times reports that a 20-year-old woman was in critical condition Thursday evening, while a 24-year-old man was in satisfactory condition.
Band plays sendoff to Disneyland, tribute to Jackson
It has been an exciting, intense and saddening couple of weeks for the bands at MTHS. Jazz 1 members were excited from their third place finish at Swing Central jazz festival in Savannah, Ga. Other band members were excited for their upcoming trip to Disneyland. But the bands were dealt some terrible news on March 29 when they learned that 2011 graduate Forest Jackson, a former saxophonist for Jazz 1, was killed on March 29 at his residence in Mountlake Terrace.
Drugs a key factor in former student’s homicide
Police have confirmed that drugs played a role in the homicide of 2011 MTHS graduate Forest Jackson early Saturday morning. Mountlake Terrace Police Department (MTPD) Commander Doug Hansen said the suspect in the homicide, 20-year-old former MTHS student Toby Sauceda, was under the influence of drugs when he allegedly fatally stabbed Jackson with a “large kitchen knife.”.
New details in homicide of former student
Family members confirmed that the victim of Saturday’s homicide in Mountlake Terrace was 20-year-old Forest Jackson, a 2011 MTHS graduate. He died after being stabbed multiple times, according to police. Police said they received a call from a woman inside her locked room at the 6300 block of St.
The Mountlake Terrace pot problem
This map shows 1000 feet zones around every school, park, transit center, playground, recreational center, or arcade. However, there could be potentially be more restrictions that limit this area further. With the passing of Initiative 502, Mountlake Terrace and cities all across Washington could expect a brand new kind of store to open up: a store that sells marijuana.
Ratanachat Saelee making a brighter future
Saelee and her family own and operate one of Mountlake Terrace’s hidden gems, Amorn Thai Cuisine. Named for her father, Amorn, the store is run by Ratanachat Saelee, her mother, father, grandmother, and brother. Together, the five work day and night to support themselves in a country they are still fairly new to.

About

Nicholas R. Fiorillo

Opinion Writing

Program Management

Interviews

News Writing

Journalism

Social Media

Editorial Process

Feature Writing

Hi, I'm Nick. I began for my school's student newspaper during my freshman year of high school, and have been in love with journalism and reporting ever since. Now I'm in a bit of a different role. As Editor-in-Chief of the Hawkeye, I oversee production of a regularly produced newsmagazine and online news website, while managing a staff of nearly 40.
I'm covered nearly every type of story, but I'm particularly passionate about breaking news, politics and long-form feature stories.
I recently had the opportunity of a lifetime to attend the 2014 Al Neuharth Free Spirit and Journalism Conference in Washington, D.C. I was chosen as the Washington state delegate and was awarded a scholarship.
I have received several other awards for my journalistic work. Some highlights include winning a rating of 'Superior' for Editorial Writing at the 2014 Spring JEA/NSPA National High School Journalism Convention in San Diego, a rating of 'Excellent' in News Writing at the Fall 2012 convention in San Antonio, and 'Excellent' in Online News Package in San Francisco in Spring 2013 and in Boston in Fall 2014. I also received the 2013 Edmonds School District Career and Technical Education Student Leadership award for journalism.
On track to graduate with honors, I plan to attend a four-year university and study political science.
I am also currently an intern for a congressional campaign and plan to pursue public service and politics as my career.