Author: Allison Dodson

Maci Jacobs is an ambitious journalist. She wrote for her student newspaper, the Coffee County Press. She discovered her love of journalism through years of experience and learning. As an alumni of the Washington Journalism and Media Conference, she is looking forward to helping individuals discover themselves while enjoying their week-long stay at George Mason University. 

Amaya is a Junior at Spring Lake High School in Spring Lake Michigan. She has been a member of the the Varsity Dive Team and Junior Varsity Tennis team since her freshman year. She is also the editor of her schools online newspaper, as well as a the secretary for her schools chapter of BPA. Amaya attended WJMC in 2023 and wants to encourage anyone to do it if they have the opportunity. Outside of school, Amaya loves to read, spend time with her friends, and travel. 

Abbey Esposito is a Junior at Cooperative Arts and Humanities High School in New Haven, Connecticut. She is part of the National Honor Society and writes for the school paper. In her free time she likes to work on her novel and listen to music for inspiration. Her WJMC experience showed her more ways she can expand on her love for writing. She hopes to make future WJMC Youth Correspondents have an amazing time just like she did.

Kamila Makhmudova is currently a senior at George Washington Carver Center for Arts and Technology where she studies technical theatre. For the longest time, she thought that her only big passion was theatre, but her interest in journalism was sparked in sophomore year and eventually became a great passion after she attended WJMC in 2023. She’s currently a publicist for clubs like NHS and her varsity volleyball team. She hopes to continue learning about journalism and she won’t be able to do so without the opportunities that WJMC had provided her. 

Alex is a junior at Forest Hills Central High School in Grand Rapids, Michigan, and she is a 2023 WJMC alumnus. Her experience there changed her life and gave her so many wonderful experiences. She is part of her school newspaper, and is the student director for her school theater. She decided while she was at WJMC that she wants to be a social media manager, and she is so grateful for that realization. She is looking forward to taking part in this new experience!

Caroline Schilling is from Noblesville, Indiana and is a current senior at Cathedral High School in Indianapolis, Indiana. She is actively involved with Irish Connection, the student news outlet at her school. She is Editor-in-Chief of her school newspaper and a member of the yearbook staff. Caroline hopes to pursue a career in journalism.

Madison Harvey is a senior at McHenry Community High School in McHenry, Illinois. In school, she is National Honor Society President, a cofounder of Business Professionals of America, a member of Student Council, Spanish Honor Society, Warrior Student Media, Varsity Softball, and Student Leadership Team. Outside of school, Madison enjoys playing softball, reading, photography, and volunteering. She attended WJMC in the summer of 2023 and had an incredible experience. Her time at the conference confirmed that journalism is her passion, and she encourages others to take the leap of faith and attend WJMC. 

Adam is a junior at Paul J. Hagerty High School in Central Florida. He is passionate about debate and has competed at several competitions including nationals. He aspires to pursue a career in media and journalism. Outside of his academic pursuits, Adam is a boxing enthusiast, with Naseem Hamed being his favorite boxer of all time. 

Marceline is currently a 16 year old junior at Edmond Santa Fe High School in Edmond, Oklahoma. They have lived in Edmond their whole life, but cannot wait to get out and explore the world through journalism. They are the copy editor for both the school-sponsored yearbook and newspaper, and also writes freelance articles for an online nonprofit organization during their free time. Marceline is passionate about poetry, current world affairs, and family research. Marceline attended WJMC as a correspondent in July 2023, and they are excited to return and make a positive impact on the conference.

Addy Cowley is 18 years old and is an aspiring investigative journalist. She grew up in four different countries, where she acquired an obsession for travel and adventure that accompanies her everywhere she goes. Addy currently writes freelance for the Climbing Wall Association, where she uses her expertise and connections to deliver the most relevant and interesting content to her readers. Addy loves to read historical and journalistic nonfiction, rock climb, and paint, and can often be found working at her favorite climbing gym. The lessons she learned during her WJMC experience genuinely changed her as a person, and she is beyond excited to share that passion with a new year of National Youth Correspondents.