Caitlyn is a WJMC National Youth Correspondent participating in July 2017. She currently attends Lowndes High School and is dually-enrolled at Valdosta State University in Georgia. Caitlyn is a member of swim and cheer teams and has received sports and community service awards. She loves traveling, sports, and social media. Caitlyn’s personal statement is “inspiring youth to make a community impact by action and example.”
Author: Allison Dodson
Abbygail is originally from Wichita, KS and is currently living in Moore, Oklahoma. She is a senior at Moore High School and will be attending Wichita State University in the fall of 2018 as a dual major studying Business Management and Communications with a concentration in Journalism. Abbygail aspires to be an American Sign Language Interpreter as well as a Traveling Reporter and Journalist. She is very involved in her school and community as a Freshmen Mentor, National Honor Society Scholarship Chairman, Social Media Coordinator, Senior Editor and Chief of the Lion’s ROAR newspaper, Free Lance Photographer for the yearbook, and a Student Council Senator. She works two jobs and tutors junior high school students. During the summer of 2017, she was an intern at a Communications Firm and spent a week at the Washington Journalism and Media Conference. She feels so blessed to be given the opportunity to contribute to WJMC 2018.
Annie Bryant is 18 years old and is a junior at Woodlynde school in Wayne, Pennsylvania. She enjoys writing and the news. Annie was a part of The Washington Journalism and Media Conference this past summer.
Kaitlyn Shell is currently a senior at Matoaca High School in Chesterfield, Virginia. She is part of her school’s freshman mentor program and also a part of its small journalism program. Kaitlyn enjoys reading and writing both fiction and non-fiction. WJMC helped her realize that journalism is something she loves, and she now sees it as a major opportunity moving ahead in college and in life. Other hobbies of hers include cheerleading, painting, drawing, and taking care of her animals.
Alexander is a Junior in the Legal Studies program at Advanced Technologies Academy in Las Vegas, Nevada. As a self-defined “constitutionalist” with a passion for law and writing, Alexander wishes to promote ethical journalism. Alexander is President of Inspire U.S., an organization promoting participatory democracy, Vice President of Mock Trial, and Treasurer of the American Red Cross Club at Advanced Technologies Academy. He also serves as a Youth Attorney for the Clark County Law Foundation and Regional Ambassador for the Make-A-Wish Foundation.
Samantha Armetta is currently a senior attending West Islip High School in West Islip, New York. She is the Vice President of the Academic Integrity Club for her school’s National Honor Society and plays two Varsity sports, volleyball and golf. She attended WJMC during Session 1 and describes her experience as “life-changing.” Sam looks forward to working with the upcoming WJMC family and hopes to recreate the same amazing experience that she had for future correspondents.
Richard Forbes, or “Richie,” is a senior in College Academy at Broward College in Ft. Lauderdale, Florida. He enjoys writing, both informational and creative, and he hopes to write for print journalism, specifically National Geographic. He would like to leave Florida for college, ideally moving farther north to expand his horizons. Richard’s first interaction with WJMC was this past summer and was his farthest trip from home! His adventure with the Red Group gave him both an education in journalism and friends he continues to speak with daily. He cannot put into words just how excited he is to be working behind the scenes this summer!
Jenna Mangis attends W T Woodson High School in Fairfax, Va. Whether it was seeing the amazing sites of the nation’s capital, listening to the fabulous guest speakers, or getting to know other correspondents from across the United States, Jenna realized the WJMC was a remarkable experience. Back home, she is involved in the art program at a local elementary school, manages her high school baseball team, and does varsity sports. Jenna is thrilled to be on the WJMC Youth Advisory Board so she can work to make future conferences the best they can be.
Meghan is a junior at Elwood- John H. Glenn High School in East Northport, New York. In school she is an active member of the student council, Knight Times newspaper, and Natural Helpers, is the public relations officer for her school’s International Club, and also enjoys playing on the varsity volleyball team. She attended Session 2 of WJMC17 and made memories that she is sure will last a lifetime. She is more than happy to help anyone in need and is dedicated to making the WJMC18 experience as wonderful as her own!
Elisabeth Pollicove is a senior at Colts Neck High School. She was a National Youth Correspondent at WJMC 2017 and loved every minute of it. She plans to go to college (hopefully Mason!) in fall of 2018. She enjoys reading and photography and loves to help people.