Southern Accent Staff
Our Mission Statement
The Southern Accent would be nothing without the wonderful minds of Southern Adventist University students. We are devoted to representing and informing our fellow students and the members of our community by reporting accurately, fairly and to the best of our ability.
Current Staff
Amanda Blake
Editor-in-Chief
Amanda Blake is editor-in-chief of the Southern Accent. She is a senior journalism major who has been published in the student newspaper over 60 times, a record she began as a reporter her freshman year. She has also served as news editor and managing editor. Passionate about storytelling and in-depth reporting, Amanda strives to use her writing talents to help others. Writing and publishing a book is a pinned ambition on her bucket list.
Matthew Orquia
Managing Editor
Matthew Orquia is managing editor of the Southern Accent. He is a junior English major with a journalism minor who discovered his excitement for journalism while previously working as news editor for the paper. One day, he hopes to write stories that have a national impact or work as a reporter for a professional sports team.
Lesieli Savelio
News Editor
Lesieli Savelio is a senior pursuing a double major in public relations and international studies – Spanish. She is news editor for the Southern Accent. One of her dreams is to work at an international nonprofit or an organization like the United Nations. Lesieli loves to travel, spend time with friends and family and connect with others through stories. She would consider her life complete if she were able to interview the great fútbol player, Lionel Messi.
Hayden Kobza
Collegedale News Editor
Preston Waters
Photo Editor
Preston Waters is photo editor for the Accent. He is a marketing major with a double minor in film production and photography. You will often see him taking pictures at events or even on the promenade, as he works as a photographer for Southern’s marketing department as well. If he doesn’t have a camera in his hands, he is having withdrawals.
Alexis Dewey
Opinion Editor
Alexis Dewey is a mass communication major with a concentration in editing and writing. She is excited to be the opinion editor this year, as she has always enjoyed writing and made her debut in the Accent last semester. Alexis loves seeing stories come to life on paper in fun, unique ways. She looks forward to learning and growing in this new position this year.
Madison Wilcox
Religion Editor
Madison Wilcox is a junior English major with a minor in religion. She is delighted to serve as religion editor for the Accent this year as she continues seeking the point where Scripture and life meet. When not studying, Madison enjoys exploring the outdoors and dreaming of the day when she finally runs a marathon.
Jacob Nevis
Sports Editor
Jacob Nevis is a junior journalism major who is the sports editor for the Southern Accent. This is his third year working for the newspaper. He loves sports, with football, baseball and basketball being his favorites. In the future, he would like to work as a sportswriter.
Emily White
Lifestyle Editor
Emily White is the lifestyle editor for the Accent. She is a senior music theory and literature major and enjoys performing with Southern’s Symphony Orchestra, Wind Symphony and Steel Band. Writing is one of her escapes from practicing music; now that she works for the Accent, she has a legitimate excuse to occasionally venture out of her practice room.
Kathy Zelidon
Copy Editor
Emma Boughman
Reporter
Emma Boughman is a reporter for the Accent. She is a sophomore character animation major, but she enjoys doing pretty much anything creative. She won first place in the fiction section of the Legacy writing contest and has been writing published articles for a few years now. You can find her either doing her RA duties, creating something, playing with her dog or scrolling through Pinterest for more inspiration.
Alissa Flores
Reporter
Alissa Flores is a junior journalism major working as a sports reporter for the Accent. She began writing for the newspaper while taking a news reporting class, when she quickly discovered how enjoyable news writing was (and how well it helped her fine-tune her journalism skills). Soon after, she pursued and attained a sports reporting position with the Accent, allowing her to cover Southern’s intramural program and other sports stories in the community. Alissa strives to be a sports journalist one day, combining her passion for sports and love of writing, to accomplish God’s mission for her life.
Amy Mejias
Reporter
Mila Bales
Photographer
Mila Bales is a junior mass communication-photography student and has been a photographer for the Accent since 2022. She loves to incorporate creativity into every photo she takes, whether it be a portrait for a local fashion magazine or students walking to class on the promenade for the student newspaper.
Andrew Boggess
Photographer
Andrew Boggess is a photographer for the Accent. A junior majoring in photojournalism, Andrew is working to expand his creative pursuits by minoring in both film production and entrepreneurship. His passion for photography extends beyond academics, as he spends his free time capturing the artistry of dance.
Ron Cabagungan
Photographer
Andre Ottati
Photographer
Andre Ottati is a photographer for the Accent. He is an accounting major who has a passion for photography. He’s excited to expand his skills as a photographer and as a businessman.
Meg Ermer
Web Manager
Meg Ermer is a senior pursuing a double major in computer science and Spanish. She is excited to exercise her passions for both the sciences and humanities by serving as web manager for the Southern Accent. Meg loves urban backpacking and visiting independent bookstores, and she considers herself a bit of a boba connoisseur. One of her life goals is to visit all seven Wonders of the World.
Lia Colon
Social Media Manager
Lia Colon is the social media manager for the Southern Accent this year. Lia is a freshman pursuing a major in journalism and a minor in Spanish. She hopes to become a sideline reporter for the Dallas Cowboys in the NFL. Lia loves spending time with her family and friends and learning new things every day.
Norelie Cabrera
Circulation Manager
Norelie Cabrera is the circulation manager for the Southern Accent. She is a junior majoring in nursing and hopes to soon graduate with a bachelor’s degree and become an RN. She loves to eat and spend time with her friends in her free time.
Conner Bartsch
Layout Designer
Anton Kannenberg
Layout Designer
Previous Staff
2022-2023
Alana Crosby
Editor-in-Chief
Alana Crosby is the Editor-in-Chief of the Southern Accent. This is her third year on the team, previously working as a reporter and Collegedale News Editor. She is an English major focusing on professional writing and minoring in journalism and publication. She enjoys connecting with people through stories.
Amanda Blake
Managing Editor
Amanda Blake is the Managing Editor of the Accent, having previously worked as News Editor and a lead reporter. She is a junior journalism major with a passion for storytelling who especially enjoys writing human interest stories. She hopes to one day author and publish a book.
Elsie Pak
Collegedale News Editor
Elsie Pak is a senior double majoring in pre-dental hygiene and English with an emphasis in professional writing. Pak was previously a reporter for the Southern Accent and is excited to now embrace the position of Collegedale News Editor. In her free time, Pak enjoys reading, listening to podcasts and playing volleyball. With her love for storytelling, she is excited to interact with more people and tell their stories.
Christina Cannon
Lifestyle Editor
Christina is a senior history major minoring in chemistry, biology, and philosophy. She particularly enjoys exploring the intersection between sciences and humanities and has a passion for all things outdoors. She is based in Oregon and Colorado. This is her fourth year writing for the Accent.
Madison Wilcox
Religion Editor
Madison Wilcox is an English literature major from California who hopes to pursue a career in writing. This is her second year working for the Accent. When not studying or writing essays she enjoys spending time with friends in the mountains. She just discovered this past summer that her favorite place is the top of a peak at sunrise.
Jacob Nevis
Sports Editor
Jacob Nevis is a third-year journalism major who is the Sports Editor of the Southern Accent. This is his second year working for the Accent. He really likes sports, with football, baseball, and basketball being his favorite. In the future, he would like to work as a sportswriter.
Stefanie Green
Copy Editor
Sarah Klingbeil
Copy Editor
Sarah Klingbeil works as the Copy Editor for the Southern Accent. This is her seventh semester working for the newspaper. She has previously served as Lead Reporter, Religion Editor, and Managing Editor. Throughout her engagement with the Accent, she loves exploring and sharing the world through words. Currently, she is pursuing a double major in mathematics and TESOL English.
Josep Garcia
Reporter
Josep Garcia is a biology major and an intercultural communications minor who aspires to pursue medicine after college. This is his first year working as a reporter for the Accent. He loves traveling, music, and a good book. Josep is excited to interview individuals and tell their side of the story.
Charlene Arnold
Reporter
Kathy Zelidon
Reporter
Kathy Zelidon is a sophomore English major with an emphasis on literature from Texas. This is her first year working as a reporter for the Southern Accent. She is excited to connect with the student body and hear their stories.
Génesis Ventura
Reporter
Adam De Lisser
Photo Editor
Adam De Lisser is the Photo Editor of the Southern Accent for the 2022-2023 school year. A mass communication major, he started off as a photographer for the newspaper last year. Eager to learn and improve, he hopes that this opportunity will allow him to do so. In the future, Adam hopes to work as a portrait photographer for a reputable magazine.
Mila Bales
Photographer
Mila Bales is a photographer for the Southern Accent. This is her first year working for the Accent, and her second year as a mass communications major with an emphasis in photography. She loves to express herself through photography and is excited to get creative with the photos she takes for the Accent.
Keishla Galán
Photographer
Anna Estep
Social Media Manager
Anna Estep is the social media major for the Southern Accent. She is a junior elementary education major, and this is her first year working for the Accent. After she graduates, she hopes to become an elementary school teacher in either the Adventist or public school system.
Nickolas Nieves
Web Manager
Nickolas Nieves is a returning web manager for the Southern Accent. He is a senior majoring in computer science and graphic design. With his degrees, he hopes to find a position as a front-end web developer or a UI/UX designer in the digital space. On the weekends, he enjoys hiking, throwing a frisbee, and drawing.
2021-2022
Megan Yoshioka
Megan Yoshioka was the editor-in-chief of the Southern Accent.
Madison Reinschmidt
Madison Reinschmidt was the opinion editor and the news editor.
Aaron Mumu
Aaron Mumu was the lifestyle editor and a copy editor for the Southern Accent.
Violet Petrikas
Copy Editor
Violet Petrikas is a senior professional writing major at Southern Adventist University. This is her first year working with the Southern Accent. Petrikas is a California native who has a passion for traveling, sports and photography. After graduation, she hopes to attend law school.
Victoria Mills
Religion Editor
Victoria Mills is the religion editor for the Southern Accent. She is a junior mass communication–writing/editing major and is passionate about God and storytelling. In the future, she hopes to work in ministry and communications.
Xander Ordinola
Photo Editor
Xander Ordinola is the photo editor for the Southern Accent. He began as a staff reporter but quickly realized that photography was more his niche. He switched majors from publication journalism to mass communication with an emphasis in photography, and he one day hopes to become a photojournalist working at a reputable newspaper.
Madi Sewell
Layout Designer
Madi Sewell is a layout designer for the Southern Accent and a senior in graphic design. She’s very interested in packaging design and also book design. Her favorite colors are #587f8e and #e5b52b, and coconut is her go-to flavor and scent. Sewell’s current drink of choice is iced espresso with oat milk and brown sugar.
Lucas Bueno
Reporter
Lucas Bueno is a junior religious studies major and a reporter for the Southern Accent. This is his first year working for the newspaper. After college, he plans to teach religion and history. Bueno greatly enjoys writing and hopes to use it as a way to share God with others.
Geoffrey Fowler
Reporter
Geoffrey Fowler is a reporter for the Southern Accent. This is his first year working for the newspaper. He is currently a junior majoring in public relations with a political economy minor. He loves to learn the perspectives of individuals and connect their stories with others.
Amanda Blake
Amanda Blake was the news editor for the Fall 2021 semester and a reporter for the 2020-2021 academic year.
Elise Deschamps
Elise Deschamps was the lifestyle editor for the Fall 2021 semester and the 2020-2021 academic year. She was also a reporter for the Winter 2020 semester.
Patrick Scriven
Patrick Scriven was the sports editor for the Fall 2021 semester and a copy editor for the Winter 2021 semester.
Judah Brass
Judah Brass was a reporter for the Fall 2021 semester.
Cassidy Connolly
Cassidy Connolly was a reporter for the Fall 2021 semester.
Yvanna Hammen-Álvarez
Yvanna Hammen-Álvarez was a reporter for the Fall 2021 semester.
Lesieli Heimuli
Lesieli Heimuli was a reporter for the Fall 2021 semester and the 2020-2021 academic year.
Alyssa Rivas
Alyssa Rivas was a reporter for the Fall 2021 semester.
Jenna Williams
Jenna Williams was the circulation manager for the Fall 2021 semester.
Nicole Sabot
Nicole Sabot was a photographer for the 2021-2022 academic year.
2020-2021
Paola Mora
Paola Mora Zepeda was the editor-in-chief of the Southern Accent for the 2019-2020 and 2020-2021 academic years.
Taylor Dean
Taylor Dean was the news editor for the 2020-2021 academic year and a copy editor for the 2019-2020 academic year.
Christina Coston
Christina Coston was the managing editor for the Winter 2021 semester and a copy editor for the Fall 2020 semester.
Everline Ondieki
Everline Ondieki was the circulation manager for the 2020-2021 academic year.
Timothy Morgan
Timothy Morgan was the web manager for the 2020-2021 academic year.
Samuel Mora
Samuel Mora was the opinion editor for the Winter 2021 semester.
Zach Roberts
Zach Roberts was the sports editor for the 2019-2020 and 2020-2021 academic years.
Bailey DuBose
Bailey DuBose was the Collegedale news editor for the 2020-2021 academic year.
Maria Jose Moran
María José Morán was a lead reporter for the 2020-2021 academic year and the religion editor for the 2019-2020 academic year.
Aubri Dancek
Aubri Dancek was a Collegedale news reporter for the 2020-2021 academic year.
Zoe Kanas
Zoe Kanas was a lead reporter for the 2020-2021 academic year.
Xavier Quiles
Xavier Quiles was a lead reporter for the 2020-2021 academic year.
