Author: Allison Dodson

Liliana Carey is currently a junior attending John Jay High School in Cross River, New York. She attended WJMC 2019, an experience which has inspired her to pursue journalism and political science in the future. In her free time, Lily runs for her school’s varsity cross country and track teams, plays in jazz ensemble, and volunteers at a local farm. She is very excited to be a part of the Youth Advisory Board and hopes to channel her passions for writing and leadership into making WJMC 2020 the best possible experience!

Gabby Bicknell is a senior at Henry Ford Academy in Dearborn, Michigan. Gabby attended WJMC in 2019 and it was the best week of summer. Gabby is a National Honor Society student, Link Crew Member, participated in a German Exchange Program, and a youth leader for the Gender and Sexualities Alliance. Gabby loves to read, write, and take pictures of the world throughout traveling.

Paloma is a senior at Coral Gables Senior High School in Miami, Florida. She was born and raised in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil and moved to Miami during the summer of 2016. At her school, she is the historian and treasurer of the Academy of Finance. WJMC 2019 was one of the best experiences in her life, and she can’t wait to be a part of WJMC 2020!

Jillian Murphy is currently a senior in Normal, Illinois. She is planning to double major in Journalism and Sports Management with a minor in political science next year in college. She enjoys baseball and being outdoors. Jillian can’t wait to be a member of the YAB this year!

Maggie is a junior at Thomasville High School who is involved with the school’s Cross Country Team and Junior Classical League. In her free time, she is an avid runner who also enjoys baking for friends and family. She loves writing whether it be for school publications or poetry contests. She is also a multiple time winner for photography at the Thomasville Rose Show and sings in her church’s adult choir.

John “Jack” Martino is from the Washington D.C. area. Jack stayed “local” to attend WJMC in 2019 and had a truly wide-ranging experience networking with correspondents from around the country as a member of the teal group. He looks forward to working with WJMC alumni to help expand the conference experience for future correspondents. Jack plays varsity ice hockey, writes music and is proud to be the Editor-in-Chief of his high school newspaper.

My name is Griffin Knipp and I was a National Youth Correspondent from WJMC 2019. Growing up, I was raised on a farm in Southern Ohio until I moved with my family to Maryland where I started changing my life. I lost a bunch of weight and grew a new passion for running when I joined Cross Country and Track; there was when I found many forever friends and family! I like to spend my days bettering myself and working on projects for school that I can truly get passionate about!

Gabe Jacobs is a junior at Profile High School in Northern New Hampshire. Outside of school he plays club soccer and represents his state on the State Team. He spends his downtime reading and hanging out with his friends and family.

Abby Howell is a junior from Winston-Salem, North Carolina. She loves to dance, act, and most importantly write. She has a few creative works published and is a member of her school’s journalism team. She works every day to make the world a better place, through her writing and through her self-founded drama program at a local elementary school. She is so proud to be a part of the WJMC program and cannot wait to see what life will bring her next!

Joclynn Howell attended WJMC in 2019 and currently lives in Caldwell, Idaho. She is in her senior year at Caldwell High School and plans on continuing her education by studying broadcasting and digital media after she graduates. She loves to travel and experience new places and hopes to be able to travel for her career. She is thrilled to be a part of the Youth Advisory Board and is excited to make WJMC 2020 the best one yet.