Advice from alumna

2019 Communications Academy graduate returns to speak to journalism students

January 4, 2024

Podcast hosts Andrea Lepley and Juliana Mora interview 2019 alumna Madison Rios.

Hosts Andrea Lepley and Juliana Mora interviewed 2019 Communications Academy graduate and Blaze copy editor Madison Rios. Rios is a multimedia journalist with WKOW in Madison, Wisconsin. She returned to speak with journalism students, give advice and answer questions.

Mora and Lepley interviewed Rios for their podcast “Get a Load of This.”

“Madison helped me really get a peek in through what she does and part of the journalism world,” Mora said.

Rios discussed her experiences both in college and in her first year as a professional reporter with Introduction to Broadcast and Photojournalism students and on the podcast. Many of the stories she looked back on most fondly through her career were challenging to cover, but were also a passion project for her.

“Writing stories can be very difficult emotionally. Learning to detach from writing stories can be a good lesson to learn,” Lepley said.

Make sure to listen to Episode 4 today on Spotify, iHeart Radio, Amazon Music and Apple Podcasts.

Donate to The Blaze Yearbook

$500

Contributed

Our Goal

Help support the student journalists of Indian Trail Press. Your donation will help us purchase equipment, attend journalism conferences and cover printing and website hosting costs. Help us continue capturing the memories and recording the history of Indian Trail.

About the Contributors

Andrea Lepley, Reference Editor/Podcast Staff

Andrea Lepley, senior, is in her second year as a Reference Editor in yearbook and a member of our new publication podcasting. In yearbook, Lepley helps organize who’s in the yearbook and arrange interviews within the staff. This helps Lepley not only keep things from getting scrambled, but gives her an opportunity to get involved with her fellow staff members work and learn what really goes into making the yearbook. She loves the way journalism, photography and producing a podcast allows her to express and find creativity in herself that was never unleashed. “Funny enough Communications wasn’t my first choice going into this school, but It was one of the best things that could've happened to me.” Lepley said. “I developed a love for journalism and met so many amazing and inspiring people that helped me through the years that have now become my best friends.” Outside of school, Lepley plays in the school’s top jazz band and tries to attend any school concerts that occur. In her free time, she spends the most time with her two-year-old brother before she goes off to college. She can’t wait for new adventures coming her way and what she will learn and produce with the time being. “My biggest goal is to leave school with something I will be proud of and to carry all that I learned through my time of life,” Lepley said.

Juliana Mora, Editor in Chief

Juliana Mora, senior, is in her second year on the yearbook staff currently as the Editor In Chief. Mora helps her new staff now with organizing and communication. This is also Mora’s second year in podcasting and she controls the podcasting social media. Mora loves being able to help the younger classmen whether it’s with photos or design or even recording. Mora was introduced to designing by Digital productions her freshman year and switched her pathway to journalism which gave her more experience with interviewing, and writing. Mora also wants to attend University of Whitewater to study communications. In Mora’s free time she likes to spend time with her new puppy, Daisy and also her other dog, Otis. She also loves to bake with her friends and spend time with her older sister Nevaeh. “I would still like to thank my sister for the experience she pushed me towards," Mora said. “I would also like to thank my yearbook adviser Ms. Michelle Corbett for believing in what I can do and seeing all the possibilities for me.”

Ava Smith, Copy Editor/Podcast Staff

Ava Smith, senior, is in her second year of publications and is the copy editor for The Blaze yearbook. Smith found her interest for publication in her sophomore year, when she took a photojournalism class. The class led her to find her passion of being in any area of the journalism field. She is making progress towards her goals. Smith enjoys helping out at any open house nights her school has, goes to after school events to keep up with the community and is a TA for her adviser, Mrs. Michelle Corbett. In her free time, she likes to bake with her friends and spend time with The Blaze staff. She also enjoys building Legos and spending time with her family. Smith plans to become a journalism teacher. Corbett is helping Smith with her goals and has supported her since freshman year. “Having an all new staff this year is definitely going to come with some challenges,” Smith said. “I’m not worried, though. Everyone seems eager and ready to learn.”