Kathleen Branson was born in Indianapolis. She realized her passion for writing at a young age through the hundreds of persuasive essays written for her parents describing their family need of a German Shepard. Pursuing her love of writing, Branson enrolled in Ball State University in 2007 to major in magazine journalism.
Branson was a member of the Ball State track and field team until her medical retirement in the spring of 2010. She then decided to take her scholarship money and broken knee and see the world, participating in three study abroad programs in Sweden, Austria, and Ireland. Her future plans involve seeing more of the world and eventually working for a magazine that will enable her to write about her passion; traveling.
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Kelly Shea grew up outside of Chicago, where she started writing short stories while home sick in the first grade. A multimedia enthusiast at heart, she often added illustrations and soundtrack choices to develop the film potential of these early works. Later her family moved to Carmel, Ind., and after graduating from high school, Kelly enrolled at Ball State University.
Her parents, an executive for a winery and a magazine merchandiser, weren’t surprised when she began pursuing a journalism graphics major, but Kelly eventually moved away from the vice scene and developed a passion for environmental journalism.
After Ball State she will be working at her third nonprofit internship as a designer and writer. She only hopes for a few things out of her future career: to travel the world, continue working with passionate people and never feel bored.
Twitter: @kellyelaine
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Kyle James Hovanec was born in Seoul, South Korea to parents he never knew. He was adopted at three months old by Richard and Debra Hovanec who have since raised and loved him along with his three siblings: Jordan, Samantha, and Nicholas.
Kyle grew up in Crown Point, Indiana and attended school at Westfield Elementary School until the age of six, where he and his family then moved to Valparaiso, Indiana where he attended Union Center Elementary and Middle School, and eventually Wheeler High School.During these years Kyle began to develop a fascination with writing and magazine style writing.
After completing high school Kyle began attending Ball State University to earn a degree in Magazine Journalism and Digital Storytelling. Kyle is currently a senior in his final semester. Kyle has written for three online publications and has also worked on a student produced digital storytelling project.
He is currently the president of Ball State University’s Asian American Student Association and has held the position for two years running.After college Kyle plans on pursuing a career in either magazine journalism or transmedia storytelling. He has been to Japan twice and plans to one day work there.
Twitter: @KJHovanec
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Laura Rose Allen: It was while hanging out of a McDonald’s Drive-Thru window at the age of 16 when Laura decided she wanted to be a magazine writer. Born and raised in the suburbs of Cincinnati she was the first born to Greg and Christine Allen, and sister to Beth and Julie. She grew up pursuing a variety of sports and interests, and discovered a passion for writing along the way.
After graduating from Fairfield High School in 2008, Laura began attending Ball State University to pursue a degree in magazine journalism. She plans on graduating from Ball State in the summer of 2011, and hopes to live in New York City as a freelancer someday.
Twitter: @lauraroseallen
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Rhett Umphress is finishing his master’s degree in journalism at Ball State University. While at Ball State, Rhett collaborated with Professor Brad King on a number of projects, including the books Making Digital and the forthcoming Transmedia Indiana project and textbook. He worked with a social media team during the shooting of “Extreme Makeover: Home Edition” and co-wrote Bunker Hill Extreme: How Seven Days in the Cold, Rain and Mud Changed a Community.
He will be an intern during the summer of 2011 at the Greensboro News & Record in North Carolina. Previously, he was intern at ESPN.com and worked on a social media team for “Extreme Makeover: Home Edition.” He will likely be looking for a full-time job when this is published, so feel free to make him an offer.
Twitter: @rhettumphress
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Tiffany Holbert realized her love for words early in grade school when she was introduced to the school library. When she wasn’t lost in the latest book she’d picked up, she was trying her hand at writing her own short stories and poems. Born in Anderson, Ind. where she was raised until the age of 14, she relocated with her mother to Tampa, Fla. where she went to high school and began her college career at the University of South Florida.
In 2008, she returned to her home in Indiana and continued her education at Ball State University, where she graduated with a degree in Public Relations in July of 2010. Before graduation, Holbert participated in the social media team for “Extreme Makeover: Home Edition” where she wrote short stories capturing the behind-the-scenes activities of the show’s Kokomo production.
She currently resides in Indianapolis, Ind. where she works as an account coordinator at an advertising and public relations agency. In the future, she hopes to find an avenue that will allow her to indulge her passion for writing and the arts.
Twitter: @tiffanyholbert
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