Palisadian-Post interns had the opportunity to help out with several aspects of newspaper production, from pitching stories to taking assignments, proofreading and assisting with projects, including community events. Here are some of the stories that our interns wrote or covered this year.
Arden Seretean
Combining stories, a first-hand report and poetry, Arden Seretean put together a series for the Post, which began on September 25 with interviews with Emily Kay Tillman of Fancy Feet Dance Studio, the Peterson family and Lita Mustika of Palisades Garden Cafe. The second part included an account of the Palisades fire and debris removal at her home, as well as a poem: “My Thoughts Undress the Silence.”
Audrey Smith
Beginning a tenure with the Post as a junior reporter, Audrey Smith was an intern in 2025, completing several feature stories for the paper. One story included an interview with Highlands resident Kim Marshall, who launched the “#L.A. Rising: Stories of Healing, Help and Hope” podcast two weeks after the fire started: “As a communications expert for my entire career and a podcast host and producer for the past five years, telling stories is my skill and wellness is my specialty,” Marshall told Smith. “This podcast about healing, help and hope is something meaningful that I can offer to help find the light in a very dark situation.”
Jude De Pastino
As a photography intern, Jude De Pastino covered a range of things for the Post, including the reopening of parts of Self-Realization Fellowship Lake Shrine, Lowe Family YMCA Pumpkin Patch, The Longest Table event in October and the annual Pacific Palisades Holiday HoHoHo! in December.
Michael Matlof
During his internship, Michael Matlof covered Palisades Americanism Parade Association’s Fourth of July event at Paul Revere Charter Middle School, as well as an interview with Kehillat Israel Associate Rabbi Daniel Sher.
Nissara Shah
In addition to helping with proofreading and edits, Nissara Shah wrote for Reel Pali, covering the release of “Happy Gilmore 2” on Friday, July 25, starring Palisadian Adam Sandler as the titular character and season five of “Only Murders in the Building,” starring former Honorary Mayor Martin Short.
Camille Cornell
Camille Cornell spoke with lifelong Palisadian Phil Pecsok, who shared details on his experience fighting the fire on January 7: “On January 7, Pecsok worked across his property and his neighbors’—pulling multiple hoses onto roofs, clearing burning brush and putting out embers to protect homes that were in imminent danger,” Cornell wrote.
Daila Harinck
Daila Harinck wrote a piece about Pali High grad Todd Lawrence, who traveled the world, visiting 22 countries before eventually settling in Taiwan, where he has lived for over three decades. Lawrence launched Custom Home Vaults, utilizing “modular paneling to convert standard shipping containers into fully secure, concealed bank vaults for residential use.”
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