Audrey is a senior graduating in December at Bowling Green State University majoring in graphic design and minoring in leadership. Originally from Fort Wayne, Indiana, Audrey has experience as a creative marketing intern at a growing company and also on a social media team for a local business owner. Outside of graphic design, Audrey enjoys spending her time sewing, reading and hanging out with her friends and family.

With Midstory, Audrey is excited to gain the experience of being with an agency while also learning more within her field and what goes on behind the scenes of the stories she could be helping with.

Bonus Fact: Audrey is a big fan of Jimmy Buffett, and even started a Parrothead Passion Project based on him!

Natalie is an incoming junior at Northwestern University majoring in journalism and political science. Originally from Washington, D.C., she has experience in both the policy world and student journalism, covering campus events and stories for The Daily Northwestern. Outside of journalism, Natalie enjoys playing soccer and spending time with her dog.

Through Midstory, Natalie hopes to contribute to the Midwest narrative by highlighting people, places, and stories that might otherwise go unnoticed. She is also excited to collaborate with fellow Midstory interns and staff.

Bonus Fact: Natalie has an identical twin sister.

Maison is a junior from Pawtucket, RI currently majoring in Animated Storytelling & International and Public Affairs at Brown University. He has always been extremely passionate about visual storytelling in all its forms, from animation to film to theater to videojournalism. In the past few years, Maison has animated a children's PSA for the Rhode Island Department of Transportation, written and illustrated two children's books, written and produced four original plays and is currently directing his first short film! He's also Cape Verdean and Belizean, and is really interested in bringing more representation to these cultures and other groups who are underrepresented in the media.

With Midstory, Maison hopes to shine a light on the unique experiences and issues faced by people of color in the Midwest. He's really excited to continue his experience with videojournalism as a tool for uplifting BIPOC voices, having recently wrapped up a project at Brown University in which he interviewed a Cape Verdean dining hall worker.

Bonus Fact: Maison is really excited to go to the Midwest, somewhere he's never been!

Anthony is a rising junior at the University of Toledo, majoring in Digital Communications and minoring in Digital Marketing. Anthony is the Opinion & Guest Reporters Editor of The Collegian, shedding light on stories that happen on campus. Outside of academics, Anthony enjoys hanging out with his friends and playing cozy simulation games in his free time.

Anthony has grown up in Toledo for his entire life, so he hopes to highlight the beauty of the Midwest by telling the stories of locals. With Midstory, he is excited to look at Toledo through a different lens and work on various multimedia projects.

Bonus Fact: He has been to Lebanon three times, as his parents are both from there.

Beckett is a rising junior at Syracuse University majoring in Visual Communications with a minor in History. Originally from Carmel, New York, Beckett has had the chance to work on issue trailers and design spreads for magazines, alongside regular uploads on a monetized YouTube channel. When he's not working on either of those, he enjoys spending his time on platformer and strategy games.

Through Midstory, Beckett wishes to take his graphic design academics and put them into a visual sensation for others to enjoy. Additionally, he would like to help curate stories for the midwest through video editing.

Bonus Fact: He loves movies which don't take themselves seriously, such as Austin Powers and Spaceballs.

Duruo is a third-year undergraduate student majoring in Visual Arts at the University of Chicago. She works primarily with video and installation, with a strong interest in narrative and representations of reality. Outside of her art practice, Duruo enjoys hiking, reading, and film.

With Midstory, Duruo is excited to contribute to Midwest narratives through creative and dynamic media content. She also looks forward to exploring multimedia storytelling and documentary-based reporting.

Bonus Fact: Duruo is originally from Beijing.

Navya is a sophomore from Singapore majoring in Journalism and Data Science and minoring in Creative Writing at Northwestern University. On campus, Navya writes for The Daily Northwestern, most recently leading solutions-oriented coverage surrounding mental health. Outside of journalism, she enjoys reading, singing and exploring new cafes.

At Midstory, Navya hopes to conduct data-driven reporting surrounding transportation in the Midwest. She also looks forward to writing magazine-style features.

Bonus Fact: Navya participated in a re-recording of Singapore's national anthem in 2019, as part of the Singapore Symphony Orchestra and Choral Programmes.

Levia is an incoming junior at Syracuse University double majoring in International Relations and Broadcast and Digital Journalism. She is from Columbus, Ohio and has experience reporting for Newhouse's NCC News ranging from politics, music, and life in the city of Syracuse. Levia enjoys dancing and spending time with her family and friends.

With Midstory, Levia hopes to gain the necessary knowledge on what it is to truly research, write, and create a story that represents the community we are serving.

Bonus Fact: Levia played the violin for 10 years and plans on picking it back up again this summer.

Ian is a rising sophomore at Princeton University who is leaning towards an Anthropology major. He first grew interested in Journalism through a Princeton seminar, where he interviewed Afghan girls to create an oral history. Outside of class, he plays trumpet in a jazz combo, pretends to sing in the chapel choir, and occasionally subs in for the local radio station.

At Midstory, he hopes to report on the arts and surveillance while learning more about the Midwest.

Bonus Fact: He lived in Costa Rica for nine months.

Olga is currently a sophomore at Bowdoin College studying Romance Languages and Literatures (Spanish, French, and Italian) as well as Digital and Computational Studies. Before moving to New England for college, Olga spent 16 years living in Toledo, Ohio. Her personal research interests mostly revolve around culture and lifestyle, more specifically related to fashion, interior design, and gastronomy through ethnography. Additionally, Olga is currently a fellow for the Pupin Initiative, which is a thinktank for relations between the United States and Serbia, where her family is from.

With Midstory, Olga would like to look into the presence of people from the various countries of former Yugoslavia throughout places like Chicago and St Louis. When she has downtime, Olga enjoys photography, curating vintage clothing, reading graphic novels, doing yoga, going to the lake, and listening to rap music.

Bonus Fact: Olga loves the Smurfs, her favorite of which being Clumsy Smurf!

Jahzara is a Junior at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, majoring in Journalism and Creative Writing with a minor in Data Science. Originally from Bloomington, Illinois, Jahzara is interested in using data-driven stories to reveal truths and to uplift underrepresented communities. With experience from The Daily Illini, she has specialized in feature-style writing focusing on narrative depth and community-centered reporting.

At Midstory, she hopes to continue that work by finding untold stories and bringing greater visibility to unheard voices.

Bonus Fact: Jahzara loves to cook and bake.

Natsume is a rising sophomore at DePauw University, majoring in Creative Writing. Originally from Japan, Natsume is interested in international news, covering topics on immigration, international students, and national safety at her campus newspaper, The DePauw. Outside of journalistic writing, Natsume enjoys writing poetries and short stories.

With Midstory, Natsume is most excited about hearing community voices and representing them in a meaningful way. She also looks forward to multimedia reporting and learning how non-profit organizations operate, imagining sustainable journalistic practices for the future.

Bonus Fact: Natsume loves going to beaches and ever since coming to the Midwest, she has been wanting to go to Lake Michigan.

Luluya is a sophomore studying Journalism and International Studies at Northwestern University. She grew up in Greeley, Colorado, but was born in Eritrea. She has experience in video reporting for Northwestern News Network, but says she's also had some fun in print, documentary and magazine reporting.

Outside of class, she loves trying new hobbies (currently, it's sewing!) This summer, she's most looking forward to exploring multimedia reporting and Midwest culture stories. She's excited to be spending the next months tracking patterns and finding unique angles.

Bonus Fact: Luluya means 'pearl in sea' in Tigrinya.

Kaitlyn is a senior at the University of Michigan double majoring in political science and psychology. She has research experience in examining help-seeking behaviors in K-12 populations. From Ann Arbor, Michigan, Kaitlyn enjoys working out and relaxing in a hammock during her free time.

This summer, Kaitlyn is most looking forward to exploring Midwestern programs and sharing that knowledge in an accessible way.

Bonus Fact: Kaitlyn is that she enjoys watching medical dramas.

Ava is a rising senior at Oberlin College majoring in Communication Studies and English and pursuing an integrative concentration in Journalism. Growing up in New York played a huge role in developing her love of stories, and her time in Ohio has only strengthened it. At Oberlin, Ava works at the Writing Center and is a staff writer for the school newspaper.

While writing has always felt like a home base, Ava could not be more excited to explore multimedia projects this summer. She’s excited to delve into creative storytelling through Midstory, and most of all to become more aware of and spread critical information on the issues affecting local communities.

Bonus Fact: Ava spends her free time as a part of an on-campus band and just became the vice president of Oberlin’s Songwriting Club.

Lizzie is an incoming Sophomore at Carnegie Mellon University and has spent most of her life living in Toledo. She is majoring in Design with an additional major in Ethics, History, and Public Policy on the pre-law track, and is particularly interested in interdisciplinary approaches to system design and legal frameworks. Lizzie works for the School of Design media team and is Captain of a step/dance team. She spends her free time doing gymnastics, watching video essays, baking, or going to as many concerts as she can.

At Midstory, Lizzie looks forward to exploring the microhistories of the Midwest and how asking “large questions in small places” can change how we see the world around us. She is also excited to learn and collaborate with her fellow interns!

Bonus Fact: Since 8th grade, Lizzie hasn’t worn the same outfit twice within a single school year!

Rebekah is an incoming sophomore at Case Western Reserve University majoring in biology and environmental studies. Originally from Toledo, Rebekah developed her love for science and the environment through going on walks with her family. She is also passionate about writing and currently writes and edits for multiple newspapers, magazines and journals on campus. In her free time, Rebekah enjoys reading and playing card games.

This summer, Rebekah is looking forward to learning all the things she doesn’t know about Toledo. Through Midstory, she hopes to develop her skills in all areas of multimedia and help voice the untold stories of the Midwest.

Bonus Fact: Rebekah’s favorite card game is Dutch Blitz, which she has gotten pretty good at over the years.