Journalists Bios
Erin Stender, 18, recently graduated from Sparkman High School in Harvest, Alabama. For the past three years, Stender worked on her school publications (The Crimson Crier, www.crimsoncriernews.com and The Senator yearbook), and fell in love with journalism. Outside of work, Stender’s entire life revolves around her 3-year-old dachshund (Piper), Disney’s “Tangled” and “Harry Potter.” She plans to study journalism, graphic design and political science this fall at Belmont University in Nashville.
Demontae Wilson, 16, is a rising junior at Paul W. Bryant High School in Tuscaloosa, Alabama. He’s an outgoing and energetic person who likes to smile. He is a member of the BETA club and National Technical Honor Society. He is on the track team for Bryant High School. Wilson plans to attend The University of Alabama to major in journalism after high school. During his free time, he enjoys shopping and playing sports video games with his siblings.
Amaya McNealey, 16, lives in Northport, Alabama, and is a rising junior at Tuscaloosa County High School. She is a member of SGA, Key Club, fashion club and Interact. McNealey was also the recipient of four awards at the Alabama Scholastic Press Association state competition. Some of her hobbies include reading, writing and baking. She plans to pursue a degree in journalism and law and later become a public relations officer for the United Nations.
Gabi Jolly, 16, is a rising junior at Carson High School in China Grove, North Carolina. She commonly participates in theatre and tennis, and spends her free time either reading or socializing. She is an active member of Student Council, Leadership Team, and Interact. Jolly hopes to attend UA after high school. She loves both her dog, Bella, as well as grilled cheese.
Founder & CEO
Kylee Richard,16, is a journalist from Memphis, Tennessee, with big dreams and a big heart. Beyond advanced placement in school, Richard is involved in school and the community through various programs and clubs. Richard is a varsity debater in the Shelby County Debate League, and she has been debating a little over a year now. Her team recently qualified for nationals and debated in San Francisco. Richard was an intern with Arts2Life at Hattiloo theatre, and was the house manager for the production of Anansi the Spider in May. Richard is a writing tutor at the Soulsville Charter School, where she assists and motivates her peers through their work.
Tatyana Cooks, 17, is a rising senior at Northridge High School in Tuscaloosa, Alabama. She’s a member of her school's marching band, playing flute for three years and now joining colorguard. She was always interested in being a pediatric respiratory therapist until she joined a TV Production class at TCTA her sophomore year. She started off reporting and doing audio producing for the school's broadcast show, BCN-TV. She attended a broadcasting competition this spring as a producer and plans to attend again this fall and continue her TV class doing a senior project and completing the three-year technical program. She wants to attend college to major in respiratory therapy and minor in telecommunications and/or journalism.
Natalie Turman, 18, is a recent graduate of LaGrange High School in LaGrange, Ga. She held an internship at LaGrange Daily News. She also was editor of The Granger, the LaGrange High School yearbook. She also participated in FCCLA, color guard, SkillsUSA, and Phi Delta Chi service club. She writes for online websites Society19 and College Is My Life. Turman will attend The University of Alabama as a journalism major in the fall.
Earl Stoudemire, 16, is a rising senior at Clinton High School in Clinton, Mississippi. He is a participating member of the international thespian society, anchor club, gay-straight alliance, and cultural awareness society. He has been in band for six years now as a top saxophone player and enjoys being on the leadership team. His hobbies include traveling, walking, biking, and eating pasta. This is his first journalism workshop, and he will work on the school newspaper, The Arrow Appeal, in August. He plans to attend The University of Alabama or The University of Southern Mississippi.
Jacqueline Johnson, 16, was born in Memphis, Tennessee. She is a rising senior at Central High School. She participates in her school’s student council, dance team, her school choir, JROTC and tennis team. She also has a part-time job. Johnson attended Western Kentucky University Xposure journalism workshop in 2015. When Johnson graduates in fall 2017, she plans on attending college on a four-year scholarship and becoming an operating room specialist as her Army career.
Nick Macon, 16, is a rising senior at Tuscaloosa County High School. He participates in the mass media class at school and is a former football player. In his free time, he enjoys making YouTube videos, playing video games, hunting and fishing. He has competed in a ASPA competition and has won a 3rd place award and an Honorable Mention award in video broadcast. He has just recently went to the University of West Alabama and has won a 1st place and a $500 scholarship. After graduation he plans to attend a four-year university and major in video production.
Shaniqua Scott, 18, is a rising senior at Central High School in Tuscaloosa, Alabama. She is a part of a praise dance team and she also sings with the choir. She is an active speaker for multiple activities and events around her community. She has been doing broadcasting with her school broadcast program, BCN-TV, for two years. She was interested in being a nurse before she found her passion for TV and technical/video camera work. Now she hopes to attend college and is interested in being a reporter or working with cameras for a news station.
Angelo Perry Jr., 15, is a rising sophomore at Collierville High School in Collierville, Tennessee. He is devoted to playing sports such as football and basketball, but is taking a liking to journalism. He hopes to challenge himself by joining the debate team, and hope in the future to become an attorney. He plans to attend college to major in English and then law school.
Natalie Clarice Fields is the 15-year-old daughter of Stanley and Nicole Fields, both educators. Natalie has been on the “A” honor roll since kindergarten. She was sophomore class president at Lee High school where she is in the Theatre Magnet program. She performed as a Trumbauer all-star cast member in “Postcards from Shakespeare,” as Mrs. Johnson in “A Raisin in the Sun,” and as an ensemble member in “Big Fish.” She directed a 10-minute play, participated in Lee’s magnet recruitment video and was part of the ProStart Culinary Competition Team from the Huntsville Center for Technology. This year she was inducted into the National Beta Club, FCCLA/FBLA and served as second vice president of the Gamma Service Sorority. She was chosen as Lee’s ambassador for the Hugh O’Brien Youth Leadership Conference and as a student panelist on the school district’s Digital 1:1 committee. She is an active member in the youth ministry at the Fellowship of Faith Church. In her spare time, she enjoys writing, cooking, drawing and babysitting. After college, she plans to showcase her talents as a consumer products tester or a family and consumer science teacher.