Alan Semerdjian is an educator, a writer, a musician, and a sometime visual artist.  He has been the advisor for The Herricks High School Literature Club for the past decade.  

​Vivian Huang enjoys writing poetry about life's heartfelt moments. Her work has been recognized by Rattle Magazine, Scholastic, The New York State English Council, Nancy Thorp, and the Poetry Society of Virginia, among others. She is a finalist for the 2024 New York State Youth Poet Laureate title and a semifinalist for the 18th Annual Poetry Prize for High School Girls in New England and New York. She edits for Polyphony Lit and serves as a member of their Junior Board. In her free time, she loves baking and listening to Enhypen.

Shristi Nigam has been a member of OPUS since her freshman year and loves writing poetry. As a member of the English Scholars Program since eighth grade, Shristi has utilized her writing to explore the purpose of life and has inspired herself to make a change.  She is a two-year finalist for the New York State Youth Poet Laureate title and a finalist for the New York City Youth Poet Laureate title, and her work has been recognized by many literary competitions and writing councils. She published her own poetry book, Words Bloom Like Moonflowers, which discusses the importance of civic engagement, building an identity, and the beauty of nature last summer. When not found drafting new pieces, Shristi loves to play golf, hang out with friends and family, listen to music, and watch Netflix. 

Ever since Ceri took her first English Scholars Program class in eighth grade, she has fallen in love with the art of literature and the influence of writing. Previously the Herricks Branch Editor in The Point, she is now a part of the 2025 OPUS Board as Vice President. Her writing has been recognized by multiple writing competitions, like Immerse Education and Scholastic. Now maturing into a new era of her high school career, Ceri spends most of her time sketching original characters, fantasizing new stories, and practicing her future profession in education.

Joining the club as a sophomore, Enya has always enjoyed creative writing and storytelling. The short stories that she wrote in elementary school with spelling errors and questionable drawings eventually developed into beatifically crafted poems filled with artistry and complex language. Through OPUS, she was able to share these pieces with the rest of the world and connect with peers through writing. Outside of OPUS, Enya loves reading, crocheting, science, and listening to music.

Kaitlyn is an avid reader and writer who enjoys creating and listening to stories. OPUS, which to her was once a tangible title, has a special place in her heart as it is where she can share her passion for literature and writing with her peers and work collaboratively and creatively together. Kaitlyn’s work has been recognized twice by the Nassau Reading Council and she was a state finalist for Poetry Out Loud. When not delving into a new book or brainstorming her next writing piece, you can find Kaitlyn playing her horn, hanging out with her family and friends, or on the pickleball court. 

Rashmeet Kaur has been an active member of OPUS since late freshman year. From a young age, she has admired writing poetry about realistic, wholesome moments in life. Rashmeet has been a member of the English Scholars Program since eighth grade and is now entering into her senior year. Notably, Rashmeet was recognized as a Semi-Finalist in the PoetryNation writing contest. Beyond her literary work, she has a keen love for fashion and enjoys shopping. You can also find her enjoying music, catching up on a good show, spending quality time with friends and family, or baking.

 Having always enjoyed creative writing and visual arts, Maya Aboutaleb joined OPUS as a freshman to explore both mediums further. Maya now enters senior year with a deep fondness for storytelling and abstract expression, constantly building on both skills in her own short fiction and art. When not writing or drawing, Maya can often be found playing piano or flute, playing video games, or reading up on anything science related.