Category: Youth Advisory Board

Meghan Valanzola is ecstatic to be selected as a member of the WJMC Youth Advisory Board. She is a senior at Old Bridge High School, and attended WJMC Session 1. Besides her academics, Meghan is a frequent performer in the OBHS Drama Department, President of the OBHS Choir, member of six honor societies, and interned for her State Senator, Owen Henry. Meghan cannot wait to make WJMC 2025 as amazing as her experience in 2024 was!

Marina is a graduate of Bridges Preparatory School from Beaufort, South Carolina. She attended the Washington Journalism and Media Conference the summer of July 2024. She enjoys reading, writing, and spending time outdoors. She dreams to become an aspiring journalist or author.

Marina is a graduate of Bridges Preparatory School from Beaufort, South Carolina. She attended the Washington Journalism and Media Conference the summer of July 2024. She enjoys reading, writing, and spending time outdoors. She dreams to become an aspiring journalist or author.

Maddie Weston is currently a senior at Robinson Secondary School, in Fairfax Virginia. She swims for her summer pool as well as plays on her high school varsity volleyball team. In her free time, she enjoys taking pictures for the Varsity Football team and the Varsity Swim and Dive team. She hopes to one day be a sports broadcaster and work with the NFL or Sports Center. She enjoyed meeting so many new people at WJMC and loved getting to learn about different fields of journalism.

Luis Ortiz is a current senior of East Aurora High School and attended WJMC 2024, session 2. He is an editor of his schools Literary Magazine, NHS Secretary, and ENHS Co-Founder. Luis absolutely loves to read new and interesting stories as well as conduct research. He currently intends on majoring in English Literature and becoming a teacher.

Leila Ellis is a junior at Oak Park and River Forest High School in Oak Park, Illinois. She actively participates in multiple clubs and is a member of the school’s badminton team. Outside of school, Leila enjoys reading, figure skating, and playing the violin. Her 2024 WJMC experience broadened her perspective on journalism, helped her forge lifelong friendships, and created memories she’ll never forget.

Laziza Talipova is a senior at Trinity Preparatory School in Winter Park, Florida, where she serves as the layout editor for the school newspaper, The Trinity Voice. A passionate reader and writer, she aspires to pursue a career in sports journalism. In addition to her academic interests, she also plays competitive tennis.

Lauryn is a senior at Hudsonville High School in West Michigan. She remembers WJMC as a huge milestone that helped her step out of her shell. Lauryn loves reading, music, and her job as a part time daycare teacher.

Kenzie is a rising senior at Abernathy High School in Abernathy, Texas. She is a member of National Honor Society and participates in her high school’s UIL speech and debate team, student council, FFA, Spanish Club, Marching Band, TAFE, and is a part of the Varsity Twirling Line. She plans on either getting a college degree in political science or journalism to prepare for a career as a lawyer or a reporter for Formula One Racing. Kenzie loves the color pink, Lewis Hamilton, and all songs by Phoebe Bridgers. She also loves getting to meet new people from all over the world and can’t wait for the excitement that WJMC 2025 will bring!

Kenaniah LaRose is a junior at Klein Collins High in Spring, Texas. Her experience at WJMC ignited a passion for journalism and allowed her to make amazing friendships. She is a worship leader, student leader for her youth group, and an officer of her school’s Black Student Association. She is interested in political and video journalism. In her free time, Kenaniah enjoys reading, singing, creating content, and spending time with her friends and family!