BRITNEY CROWE
Faculty Advisor
Britney began her journey with WJMC six years ago when she nominated students for the program, and she continues to come back to this program as a faculty advisor. She is a mentor, teacher, co-worker, mother, and child of Christ. She is finishing her 27th year of teaching in Texas and she just distributed her 24th yearbook to a campus of 3000 students. She lives in central Texas near her grown children, and her companions include two kitties and her plants. Britney enjoys travel, hiking, camping, new foods, and gathering stories from strangers.
BRITNEY CROWE
Faculty Advisor
Britney began her journey with WJMC six years ago when she nominated students for the program, and she continues to come back to this program as a faculty advisor. She is a mentor, teacher, co-worker, mother, and child of Christ. She is finishing her 27th year of teaching in Texas and she just distributed her 24th yearbook to a campus of 3000 students. She lives in central Texas near her grown children, and her companions include two kitties and her plants. Britney enjoys travel, hiking, camping, new foods, and gathering stories from strangers.
ALLISON ALBERTY
Advance Team Member
Allison Alberty is the Assistant Director of Outreach Events and Programs in the Office of Admissions at George Mason University. A proud (almost) double Patriot, she is both a George Mason and Washington Journalism and Media Conference (WJMC) alumna. Allison earned her BA in Communication with a concentration in Public Relations in Spring 2023 and is currently pursuing her MA in Strategic Communication. Outside of work and graduate school, you’ll find her at rock concerts, on a yoga mat, nurturing her growing plant collection, or finding the best new brunch spots in town.
ALLISON ALBERTY
Advance Team Member
Allison Alberty is the Assistant Director of Outreach Events and Programs in the Office of Admissions at George Mason University. A proud (almost) double Patriot, she is both a George Mason and Washington Journalism and Media Conference (WJMC) alumna. Allison earned her BA in Communication with a concentration in Public Relations in Spring 2023 and is currently pursuing her MA in Strategic Communication. Outside of work and graduate school, you’ll find her at rock concerts, on a yoga mat, nurturing her growing plant collection, or finding the best new brunch spots in town.
MARK HILBURN
Faculty Advisor
Dr. Mark Hilburn is an assistant principal at Millard West High School in Omaha, Neb., and adjunct professor in the College of Communication, Fine Arts, and Media at the University of Nebraska Omaha where he was named the 2026 Adjunct Professor of the Year. For 16 years, Mark taught journalism and advised the MWHS Wildcat News broadcast, Catalyst newspaper, Prowler yearbook, Uproar radio, and Wildcat Sports Network livestreaming. His publications have been Pacemaker, Crown, All-American, Best in Show and NSAA State Journalism Championship winners, the first school inducted into the NHSPA Cornhusker Hall of Fame, and Mark has advised four Nebraska Journalists of the Year. Mark was named the Nebraska Journalism Teacher of the Year in 2015, was the first adviser to receive the Dr. Sherrie Wilson Outstanding Service Award for Journalism in 2019, and the JEA Future Administrator Award in 2020. Mark is the past President of the Nebraska High School Press Association, presents and judges at national JEA/NSPA and CSPA conventions and teaches journalism workshops across the country. He holds a doctoral degree in Education Leadership, and two Master’s degrees, Journalism and Mass Communication and Secondary Education Curriculum and Instruction, from the University of Nebraska. Mark is looking forward to his 9th summer as a faculty adviser at WJMC.Â
MARK HILBURN
Faculty Advisor
Dr. Mark Hilburn is an assistant principal at Millard West High School in Omaha, Neb., and adjunct professor in the College of Communication, Fine Arts, and Media at the University of Nebraska Omaha where he was named the 2026 Adjunct Professor of the Year. For 16 years, Mark taught journalism and advised the MWHS Wildcat News broadcast, Catalyst newspaper, Prowler yearbook, Uproar radio, and Wildcat Sports Network livestreaming. His publications have been Pacemaker, Crown, All-American, Best in Show and NSAA State Journalism Championship winners, the first school inducted into the NHSPA Cornhusker Hall of Fame, and Mark has advised four Nebraska Journalists of the Year. Mark was named the Nebraska Journalism Teacher of the Year in 2015, was the first adviser to receive the Dr. Sherrie Wilson Outstanding Service Award for Journalism in 2019, and the JEA Future Administrator Award in 2020. Mark is the past President of the Nebraska High School Press Association, presents and judges at national JEA/NSPA and CSPA conventions and teaches journalism workshops across the country. He holds a doctoral degree in Education Leadership, and two Master’s degrees, Journalism and Mass Communication and Secondary Education Curriculum and Instruction, from the University of Nebraska. Mark is looking forward to his 9th summer as a faculty adviser at WJMC.Â
MEGHAN A.T.B. REESE
Photographer and Videographer
Meghan is a producer, director, and writer whose credits include National Geographic, Discovery Channel, Travel Channel, History Channel, Animal Planet, Amazon Prime, PBS, Microsoft, Facebook, and NASA. She is also a photographer for the National Park Service, where she has covered three presidential administrations at her assigned park, The White House. Her photography has been featured by The National Park Service, The New York Times, The L.A. Times, The Wall Street Journal, PBS, and more. Prior to transitioning to television and film, Meghan was an award-winning writer and editor, beginning her career at USA Today. She holds a journalism degree from American University and is completing her Master’s in journalism at Emerson College.
MEGHAN A.T.B. REESE
Photographer and Videographer
Meghan is a producer, director, and writer whose credits include National Geographic, Discovery Channel, Travel Channel, History Channel, Animal Planet, Amazon Prime, PBS, Microsoft, Facebook, and NASA. She is also a photographer for the National Park Service, where she has covered three presidential administrations at her assigned park, The White House. Her photography has been featured by The National Park Service, The New York Times, The L.A. Times, The Wall Street Journal, PBS, and more. Prior to transitioning to television and film, Meghan was an award-winning writer and editor, beginning her career at USA Today. She holds a journalism degree from American University and is completing her Master’s in journalism at Emerson College.
MATT SCHOTT
Faculty Advisor
Matthew is the publications adviser at Francis Howell Central High School in Cottleville, Mo., as well as a freelance photographer, specializing in high school sports. He has been the adviser at FHC for the past 21 years and has been a faculty adviser at WJMC since 2011. In addition to photography, Matt is an avid reader and consumer of all things journalism, is a huge soccer fan, Chicago Blackhawks and Cubs fan. He is married with two kids and two dogs.
MATT SCHOTT
Faculty Advisor
Matthew is the publications adviser at Francis Howell Central High School in Cottleville, Mo., as well as a freelance photographer, specializing in high school sports. He has been the adviser at FHC for the past 21 years and has been a faculty adviser at WJMC since 2011. In addition to photography, Matt is an avid reader and consumer of all things journalism, is a huge soccer fan, Chicago Blackhawks and Cubs fan. He is married with two kids and two dogs.
CHRISSY WIEDEMANN
Student Support
As a teacher for 19 years, Chrissy enjoys working with students in English and journalism at Yorktown High School in Arlington, Virginia. Chrissy received her bachelor’s and master’s degrees from George Mason University. A proud Patriot, she connected to an international community there and developed her love of writing. As part of Patriot Nation, she traveled to Indianapolis in 2006 to watch the Cinderella team head to the Final Four. (Florida continues to be her least favorite team.) When she can, Chrissy loves to see live music in DC, enjoy summers on the beach and traveling to other countries. Chrissy is excited to return to Mason for WJMC and can’t wait to meet new friends this summer!
CHRISSY WIEDEMANN
Student Support
As a teacher for 19 years, Chrissy enjoys working with students in English and journalism at Yorktown High School in Arlington, Virginia. Chrissy received her bachelor’s and master’s degrees from George Mason University. A proud Patriot, she connected to an international community there and developed her love of writing. As part of Patriot Nation, she traveled to Indianapolis in 2006 to watch the Cinderella team head to the Final Four. (Florida continues to be her least favorite team.) When she can, Chrissy loves to see live music in DC, enjoy summers on the beach and traveling to other countries. Chrissy is excited to return to Mason for WJMC and can’t wait to meet new friends this summer!
APRIL VAN BUREN
Faculty Advisor
April van Buren, M.J.E., advises newspaper, broadcast and yearbook, and also teaches various digital media classes including graphic design and social media and marketing at East High School in Madison, Wisconsin. She has taught journalism for more than 20 years, including at Parkway Central High School near St. Louis, Missouri and at Mesa Vista Middle and High School in rural New Mexico. She has been an adjunct professor for the communications department at the University of New Mexico-Taos. From 2010 to 2013, she served as the New Mexico director for the Journalism Education Association (JEA) and as the vice president of the New Mexico Scholastic Press Association. She earned her National Board certification in language arts in 2012, and studied journalism, education and library sciences at the University of Missouri-Columbia. She was the 2013 New Mexico Adviser of the Year, is the current President of the Kettle Moraine Press Association, serves on the Wisconsin JEA Board and previously ran the JEA national quiz bowl and the broadcast contests.
APRIL VAN BUREN
Faculty Advisor
April van Buren, M.J.E., advises newspaper, broadcast and yearbook, and also teaches various digital media classes including graphic design and social media and marketing at East High School in Madison, Wisconsin. She has taught journalism for more than 20 years, including at Parkway Central High School near St. Louis, Missouri and at Mesa Vista Middle and High School in rural New Mexico. She has been an adjunct professor for the communications department at the University of New Mexico-Taos. From 2010 to 2013, she served as the New Mexico director for the Journalism Education Association (JEA) and as the vice president of the New Mexico Scholastic Press Association. She earned her National Board certification in language arts in 2012, and studied journalism, education and library sciences at the University of Missouri-Columbia. She was the 2013 New Mexico Adviser of the Year, is the current President of the Kettle Moraine Press Association, serves on the Wisconsin JEA Board and previously ran the JEA national quiz bowl and the broadcast contests.
JESSICA YOUNG
Faculty Advisor
Jessica Young is returning for another summer with the Washington Journalism and Media Conference. She teaches yearbook, journalism, photography, video production and graphic design at Orange Glen High School in Escondido, California. Her yearbook staff was recognized as the 2025 Diversity Award winner, for their commitment to creating a multi-lingual yearbook for their diverse school population. Young earned her bachelor’s degree in journalism and anthropology from San Diego State University and her master’s degree in education from University of California, San Diego. Outside the classroom, she serves as the vice president and communications chair for her school district’s teachers union. She is also the president of the San Diego Journalism Education Association and serves as the secretary for the Southern California Journalism Education Association. In addition to teaching, she also enjoys running, baking, baseball, putting glitter on things and traveling. She has conquered the Original Marathon Greece, the Inca Trail in Peru, and the Marine Corps Marathon in Washington, DC. She and her husband are on a quest to visit all the major league baseball stadiums across the country.
JESSICA YOUNG
Faculty Advisor
Jessica Young is returning for another summer with the Washington Journalism and Media Conference. She teaches yearbook, journalism, photography, video production and graphic design at Orange Glen High School in Escondido, California. She earned her bachelor’s degree in journalism and anthropology from San Diego State University and her master’s degree in education from University of California, San Diego. Outside the classroom, she serves as the vice president and communications chair for her school district’s teachers union. She is also the president of the San Diego Journalism Education Association and serves as the secretary for the Southern California Journalism Education Association. In addition to teaching, she also enjoys running, baking, watching baseball, putting glitter on things, and traveling. She has conquered the Original Marathon Greece, the Inca Trail in Peru, and the Marine Corps Marathon in Washington, DC. She and her husband are on a quest to visit all the major league baseball stadiums across the country.
