MAXWELL NICKEL
Maxwell Nickel is a 16-year-old high school Junior from Forsyth, Georgia. He’s been involved in writing and journalism from a very young age. He has written for his county newspaper, for online publications, and has worked for local sports shows. Max was born in New Jersey and moved to Georgia after a few years. He loves writing and had a great time at the 2023 Washington Journalism & Media Conference.
MARK LUSSIER
Junior Faculty Advisor, Alum 2023
Mark is a rising sophomore at Hofstra University, studying journalism and minoring
in political science. He attended WJMC in the summer of 2023 as a rising high school
senior and as an intern in 2024. He loved every minute of both experiences. His love
for journalism was sparked when he was interviewed by a local reporter while he was
volunteering for Jahana Hayes’ campaign for Congress in 2018. The unmatched
energy and spirit from his WJMC 2023 color group only made him more excited
about possibly joining the profession. Mark is incredibly excited to return to
WJMC for the third year in a row as a Junior Faculty Advisor. He will strive to
make WJMC even more enjoyable while giving the same amazing experience to other aspiring journalists.
MAEVE STERLING
Maeve Sterling is a Junior at Midlothian High School. She has been involved in Student Government for the past two years, and will be President of the Council her Senior year. She enjoys the arts, music analysis, and spending time with friends! She is thankful to be on the Board this year.
LEAH GAROFALO
Leah C. Garofalo is a junior from the suburbs of Philadelphia. In school, she leads her school’s Critics and Awards program (Cappies team), co-founded her school’s Fashion Club, and is on the executive board of the orchestra. Outside of school, Leah loves dancing, exploring her town, reading, and creating music. She hopes to become a journalist in the future, and is immensely grateful for the experiences that WJMC has provided her.
KELSEY BURKE
Kelsey Burke is a senior attending Valley Central High School in Montgomery, New York. She is an active member of her school’s National English Honor Society. Kelsey enjoys reading, writing, and listening to music. She is very passionate about writing and hopes to be an author in her future. Kelsey attended WJMC in 2023 and is extremely excited to assist in making WJMC 2024 as memorable as possible.
JORDAN RIGGS
Jordan Riggs is a junior at West Carteret High School in eastern North Carolina. He is a member of the Varsity soccer team and a member of the National Honor Society. He likes to play sports and to spend time with friends and family. At WJMC 2023, Jordan enjoyed meeting new people, making new friends, and learning more about journalism.
JORDAN LEWIS
Jordan is a junior at Lakewood High School in Salemburg, North Carolina. She is a 2023 WJMC alumnus. WJMC was the highlight of Jordan’s summer, she enjoyed every experience and was truly inspired by the influences she met there. Jordan is was part of her school’s broadcast class and she is a cheerleader for her school. She is looking forward to this new journey on the YAB.
JOCELYN BARR
Jocelyn Barr is a Junior at PODER Academy Secondary School in Cheyenne Wyoming. Jocelyn is in a concurrent enrollment program through her local community college and is taking 14 college credit hours. She is Student Council President and Chief Editor of her school’s Newspaper, which she founded. She loves to bake, sew, and write in her spare time. Jocelyn loves all things history, which is her niche for her school’s Wyoming Academic Challenge team, that she is the captain of. Jocelyn’s life changed after WJMC and is honored to be participating in the conference further.
JESSICA MCCLURE
Jess McClure is a hard-working girl through and through. She loves photographic journalism, and discovered said passion at WJMC. Journalism has always been a big interest of hers, and she is seizing her moment. Jess is elated to still be helping the Washington Journalism and Media Conference, and honored to have been chosen for the Youth Advisory Board.
JEFFREY WASIELEUSKI
Jeffrey Wasieleuski is a Senior at Plainville High School . Jeffrey was a national youth correspondent at WJMC in the year 2023. Jeffrey Wasieleuski Particpates as a Peer Helper in Unified Sports, the PHS A-Team , The 2024 Class officer team . Jeffrey is an excellent student who tries his hardest everyday in school and in his free time he bowls competitively.
