Category: Youth Advisory Board

Kristina Haviland is a junior at Kinnelon High School in Kinnelon, New Jersey. She attended WJMC in 2022. She is the editor-in-chief of her school newspaper, the Colt Chronicle, and has been in journalism since her freshman year, along with being the student representative on the Board of Education voicing her peers’ issues and ideas. In her free time, she enjoys figure skating and recently placed 5th in the country for solo ice dance. She absolutely loves to write and report and plans on being a political journalist. She is so excited to be a part of the YAB to help other students learn more about their love for journalism, which is what WJMC did for her.

Knox Rives is a senior at Clarksville High School in Clarksville, Texas and an Athletic Communications Assistant at Austin Peay State University. He is a a huge sports fan, loves musicals and theater, and lives for all things journalism!

Kaitlin Settle is a senior, graduating early from South Carolina Connections Academy. Kaitlin is a military brat who enjoys cooking, traveling around the world, meeting new people, running, and trying new experiences. She volunteers through the National Honor Society and various projects with the military. Kaitlin attended WJMC in July of 2022 and quickly learned how to speak up for herself, find her voice, and build her confidence. She can’t wait to be able to help other high school students find their passions and create lasting memories, as well as assist the leadership team in planning WJMC 2023.

Gracie Anderson is a senior from Texas who is also a WJMC alumni of the 2022 conference. She enjoys journalism and hopes to make a career out of it. She is a majorette for her school and plays the flute in the band. She cannot wait to help make WJMC more awesome!

Grace Velichka is a current junior at Wickliffe High School in Wickliffe, Ohio. She attended WJMC this past summer and is the editor of her school’s newspaper which recently started. She is a majorette for her high school, works with dogs on the weekends, and loves to read. She can’t wait to make WJMC an amazing experience for upcoming students!

Flinn Burrell is a junior from Houston, Texas. She is involved in the swim team, theatre, and the newspaper at her school. She loves to read Agatha Christie novels, get food with her friends, and listen to music. Most importantly, however, she loves to write! Flinn was first introduced to journalism last year when she joined her school newspaper, and she attended WJMC in 2022 to learn more about journalism and communications. She is so happy to be a part of the Youth Advisory Board and cannot wait to make WJMC 2023 the best conference yet!

Felix Cao is a high school senior from Lexington, South Carolina and is excited to serve on the 2023 Youth Advisory Board. Felix attended the Washington Journalism and Media Conference in 2022 and found a passion in Business journalism. Outside of his journalism world, he enjoys playing guitar, read business books and learn something each day. He is enthusiastically to meet people with journalism potential in them and make many social connections and he sees them as opportunities.

Erna Delice is a Senior at Inlet Grove Community High School. She is the Editor-In-Chief of her online student news site, an SGA member, a National Honor Society officer and she also runs a club called the Multimedia Club. As she gets older she would like to pursue her career in the broadcast journalism field. Erna loves every single second she had at WJMC. It helped her understand that anything is possible if you just work for it.

Ethan Elder is a high school junior from Maryville, Tennessee. He participates in Yearbook, Student Council, is a student correspondent for the local newspaper, and member of youth court. Ethan enjoys theatre and has performed in local and regional productions. Ethan is a member of the National Beta Club, 4-H Honor Society, National Society of High School Scholars, and 4-H All Stars. Beyond his education, including dual enrollment, Ethan enjoys volunteering with local service organizations, such as the Community Food Connection and Veteran’s Affairs. Ethan attended the 2022 Governor’s School for the Scientific Exploration of Tennessee Heritage and the 2022 Washington Media and Journalism Program. Ethan is excited to be back as part of the 2023 WJMC Team!

Erin “Holly” McDermott is a senior at Indian Hills High School in Northern New Jersey. She had a fabulous experience at WJMC 2022 and aims to continue pursuing her journalism career through college. WJMC created some of the most vital connections, both personally and professionally. She is the current editor-in-chief of the school newspaper, Drumbeats, while contributing as a writer and photographer.