Category: Youth Advisory Board

Natalya Idrovo

NATALYA IDROVO

Natalya is a 2024 WJMC alumni who is from Lehigh acres, Florida. She is a current junior at Lehigh High Senior High school, and is apart of the center of arts and JROTC programs. She loves writing and reading and being involved in her community. WJMC was a major influence on her passion for writing and journalism. Outside of school, she loves hanging with friends and volunteering, and baking. She is excited to share her experiences and be apart of the youth advisory board!

Meghan Valanzola

MEGHAN VALANZOLA

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!

Martrell Mincey

MARTRELL MINCEY

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 Koulianos

MARINA KOULIANOS

Madline Weston

MADLINE WESTON

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

LUIS ORTIZ

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

LEILA ELLIS

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

LAZIZA TALIPOVA

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 Jelsema

LAURYN JELSEMA

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.

Lauren Devlin

LAUREN DEVLIN

Lauren Devlin is a rising senior at Ida B. Wells-Barnett High School in Portland, Oregon. As a 2024 alumni and youth advisory board member, she holds her experiences, lessons and family at WJMC close to her heart and mind. At her high school Lauren writes and edits for the student news publication, “The Headlight.” She is honored to return to WJMC and is excited to continue her passion for journalism with the 2025 WJMC community. Outside of journalism, she enjoys playing basketball and soccer, reading and discovering new music.