Category: Youth Advisory Board

Aryany Perez, a founding junior at Memphis Rise Academy in Memphis, Tennessee, attended the 2019 Washington Journalism and Media Conference and was deeply motivated to find her voice and speak out more. Aryany is going to be a first generation high school graduate in 2021 and is interested in communications and political science as a major.

A senior at Memorial High School in Houston, Texas, Carolyn is a member of the drill team and serves as copy and co-photography editor of the yearbook. She volunteers with her church, National English Honor Society, and YoungLife. Her hobbies include photography, reading, and dance. Her transformative WJMC experience in 2019 introduced her to the exciting worlds of politics and journalism, and she can’t wait to instill this same passion in future correspondents!

Tristin McCreight is from Milwaukee, Wisconsin and is senior at Nicolet High School. She attended WJMC 2019 session 2 and was in the yellow group. Tristin is one of a few student photojournalist at her school and also on the yearbook staff. In her free time Tristin loves watching rom-coms, swimming, and hanging with friends. After high school Tristin hopes to study politics and journalism.

Maria McComish is from South Bend, Indiana. Maria is the secretary for her school’s Student Government. Writing has always been Maria’s passion, and she aspires to be a political journalist after college. Maria also enjoys reading and watching The Daily Show.

Kiersten McCollum is from the Michigan Metro-Detroit area. She is the current state champion of forensics speech and debate and a first degree black belt in karate. Along with public speaking, she loves art and writing. In the future, Kiersten aspires to pursue a career in political journalism.

Margeaux McCaughey is a current junior at Weston High School in Weston, Massachusetts. She actively enjoys discussing politics, and hopes to pursue a career somewhere in the video journalism field. She is an alumna of the magenta color group and can’t wait to participate in the Youth Advisory Board for the upcoming summer!

Sierrah attended the 2019 Washington Journalism and Media Conference as a National Youth Correspondent from Iowa. She is currently a senior at Johnston High School where she has been a part of The Dragon yearbook staff for the past 3 years. Sierrah is looking forward to pursuing a career in Social Media and Journalism after she graduates high school this spring. She is excited to be given this opportunity to be apart of the Youth Leadership Board for WJMC 2020!

Gabrielle Heroux attended the Washington Journalism and Media Conference during 2019 and is from Fairhaven, Massachusetts. Gabby is an active member at her school and in her community as she is a member of her school’s morning announcements broadcasting team, is the president of the Interact and Community Service Club, participates in Spectrum (GSA), is a participating alumna of Project 351, participates in instrumental and vocal music programs, is Senior Vice President of the National Honor Society, and more. After graduating from high school in May 2020, Gabby plans on attending college and pursuing a career in Broadcast Journalism Gabby enjoyed her time at WJMC and not only learned about different aspects of journalism, but made new friends that she never would have met otherwise.

Grace Fant is a current senior in high school from Starkville, Mississippi. She loves to read, spend time with friends, spend time in nature, and take pictures. Grace loves WJMC and team green!

Ashley Fitzgerald attends Rustburg High School and has lived in Virginia her whole life. Photography and journalism have been her passion since she started the yearbook and journalism classes at my school. She is now the editor-in-chief of the yearbook and is the sports photographer for her school. Ashley is a very outgoing person and a huge fan of food, music, and kindness!