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Tag: 2025

Marina Koulianos

MARINA KOULIANOS

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.

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

Intern, Alum 2024

Lauren 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.

Kenzie Steffey

KENZIE STEFFEY

Junior Faculty Advisor

Kenzie Steffey is from Abernathy, Texas and is currently attending Texas Tech University. She enjoys spending time with her best friend, watching Formula One races at all hours of the day, and anything pink! Kenzieloves getting to know new people from all over the world and can’t wait for all of the excitement that WJMC 2026 has to offer!  

KENZIE STEFFEY

Junior Faculty Advisor​

Kenzie Steffey is from Abernathy, Texas and is currently attending Texas Tech University. She enjoys spending time with her best friend, watching Formula One races at all hours of the day, and anything pink! Kenzieloves getting to know new people from all over the world and can’t wait for all of the excitement that WJMC 2026 has to offer!  

Kenaniah LaRose

KENANIAH LAROSE

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!

Kelsie Johnson

KELSIE JOHNSON

Kelsie Johnson is currently a junior in Goldsboro, North Carolina. She is a member of DECA, colorguard, her school’s National Honor Society and her school’s volunteering club. She enjoys writing research papers, and loves investigative journalism. In her spare time she can be found reading, watching true crime, or spending time with her family.