Elli Thompson, Editor
Senior, Journalism and Global Cultures Major
Monona, WI
Favorite part about Wisconsin: The changing seasons! I love how we can hit both extremes of hot and cold as well as everything in between. Although each season has its positives, nothing is more beautiful than a Wisconsin autumn.
Dream job: Working for a magazine, a magazine Web site or a non-profit organization.
You’re stranded on the proverbial desert island. What three things can you not live without?: Bread/crackers, diet Coke and a magazine/newspaper.
What you do to unwind: There’s nothing better than taking a walk…or going out to a restaurant for a delicious meal with a friend.
Describe your most meaningful/fun-filled artistic experience: When I studied abroad in South Africa, I went to an outdoor concert featuring a string quartet from Soweto – an urban area in Johannesburg. Not only was the music amazing, but so was the atmosphere. It was incredible to see such a diverse population all enjoying the same music and with mountains and botanical gardens as the backdrop.

Abby Wucherer, Managing Editor
Senior, Journalism and Spanish Major
Sheboygan, WI
Favorite part about Wisconsin: I love the changing seasons! Especially now that I don’t live on Lake Michigan and I actually get to see spring. I wouldn’t like living somewhere where the weather was the same all year round, it just wouldn’t be as interesting.
Dream job:  A Broadway actress! When I was growing up I was in plays all the time –one or two a year. It’s one of the things I miss the most about my life pre-college.
What do you do to unwind?: Sing at the top of my lungs. And talk to myself. When ,I’m really stressed out the only way I can convince myself to relax is if I hear it from, well, me, that everything is going to be alright. I also have a thing for trashy reality TV: America’s Next Top Model, Top Chef, The Bachelor, Beauty & the Geek… I just can’t stop watching!

Vanessa de Bruijn, Lead Writer
Senior, Journalism and Mass Communications Major
Okemos, MI
Favorite part about Wisconsin: Since I am not from here, I had fun discovering things like cheese curds, fried cheese curds, and chocolate cheese.  Cheese and, of course beer aside, the thing I love most about Madison is sitting at the Union Terrace in the spring and summer admiring beautiful Lake Mendota.
What do you do to unwind?: At the end of a long day the key thing for me to avoid is thinking too hard.  I like to curl up in front of the TV for some very non-intellectually stimulating shows or else read a book for fun, not one that was purchased at the University Bookstore or that can be found on a syllabus of any kind.
Describe your most meaningful/fun-filled artistic experience:  When I was in elementary school my sister founded our school’s first Earth Club.  Our mission was to make crafty goods that we could sell at a local arts and crafts fair in order to raise funds to save the planet. All of the craft-making really rubbed off on me and I’ve been hooked ever since.

Andy Erdman, Lead Writer
2nd year Journalism Graduate student
Marathon City, WI
Favorite part about Wisconsin: Without a doubt, my favorite part about Wisconsin is the Green Bay Packers. For as long as I can remember, I have thoroughly enjoyed following and cheering for the Packers. I even spend my limited free time reading, researching and blogging about everything Packer-related. Favre for president, anyone?
You’re stranded on the proverbial desert island. What three things can you not live without?:  1.) Family 2.) Books 3.) Bratwurst
If I ran the world . . . the human race would likely crumble.

Jennifer Evans, Lead Writer
2nd year Journalism Master’s student
Pittsburgh, PA
Favorite part about Wisconsin: Henry Vilas Park Zoo. I love animals and having a free zoo in my backyard is such a treat. Plus, not every zoo features a cranky-looking badger!
Dream job: My dream job is to become a reporter for the New York Times’ Science Times.
Describe your most meaningful/fun-filled artistic experience: I owe my love for the fine arts to my dad. For as long as I can remember, he insisted I appreciate the beauty of the symphony and theater. My most meaningful artistic experience was with my dad was in New York, where we saw Christopher Plumber in “King Lear” on Broadway.

Jill Klosterman, Copy Editor
Senior, Journalism and Political Science Major
North Oaks, MN
Dream job: I'd like to be a professional ultra marathoner. I’ve run three regular marathons and they’re the most exhilarating experience, so an ultra marathon has to be better.
You’re stranded on the proverbial desert island. What three things can you not live without?: Running shoes, Propel and banana popsicles
What do you do to unwind?:  I prefer to be wound, so I unwind by winding up.

Shira Nanus, Copy Editor
Senior, Journalism and Strategic Communication Major
New Rochelle, New York
Favorite part about Wisconsin: My favorite parts about Wisconsin are both in Madison. First, is Camp Randall Stadium on Saturday mornings to cheer on the Badgers. Second, is when it’s not a game day, I love Saturday mornings at the Capitol Square when you can walk around the farmers' market. 
What do you do to unwind?: When I unwind I like to listen to music, watch television, hang out with my dog, Jordy, or eat food, preferably popcorn or chocolate covered anything.
Describe your most meaningful/fun-filled artistic experience: My most meaningful/fun-filled artistic experience would be signing my name on Lennon’s Wall in Prague.

Alaina Wendlandt, Marketing Director
Senior Journalism Major and Certificate in Business
Lakeville, MN
Favorite part about Wisconsin: Green pastures and truly happy cows. Devil’s Lake. And I do love Madison.
Dream job: Professional world traveler and dancer. I would then retire at age 60—old, tired and equipped with loads of wisdom, wit and life experience—to write best-sellers in coffee shops and lake cabins.   
You’re stranded on the proverbial desert island. What three things can you not live without?: A journal: what is life if not material? My mother: she’s the best person I’ve ever known—and never fails to make me laugh when I’m feeling sorry for myself. An instrument.
What do you do to unwind?: Walk. And dance. 
If I ran the world…No dirty politics. Abundant love, health and happiness.
Describe your most meaningful/fun-filled artistic experience: I’m home when I’m dancing on stage. There is a magic about it that I wouldn’t try to put to words.

Marissa Klaff, Public Relations Manager
Senior, Journalism and Mass Communication Major
Winnetka, IL
Favorite part about Wisconsin: I love the kind people, the beautiful lakes and the strong sense of community.
Dream job: My dream job is to one day own my own PR firm.
You’re stranded on a proverbial desert island. What three things can you not live without?: My iPod, my computer and my family.

Courtney Davis, Online Marketing Representative
Senior, Strategic Communication and History Major
Green Bay, WI
Favorite part about Wisconsin: Brett Favre, hands down.
You’re stranded on the proverbial desert island. What three things can you not live without?:  1. My iPod  2. My dog 3. Sunscreen
Describe your most meaningful/fun-filled artistic experience: I am a huge fan of Broadway Theater and this past summer, I went to see Wicked in Chicago. It was amazing – it gave me the good kind of goose bumps the entire show. In another life, I’d be able to sing like that.

Sarah M. Fortin, Marketing Representative
Senior, Journalism and Political Science Major
La Ceiba, Honduras
Favorite part about Wisconsin: My favorite part of Wisconsin is the end of spring/beginning of summer when all of a sudden everything is green and colorful and the weather is no longer dangerously cold.
What do you do to unwind?: Lying in a hammock on a rainy afternoon is the best way to unwind.
If I ran the world…there would be no war, no lives lost to conflicts.

Erin Zwaska, Art Director
Senior, Journalism Major
Wauwatosa, WI
Favorite part about Wisconsin:  The seasons. Our winters are way too long, but I couldn’t do without spring and fall.
Dream job:  I’d love to do design work for a large corporation with a big budget and a fun, fresh image, like Target or Apple.
You’re stranded on the proverbial desert island. What three things can you not live without?:  My laptop, iced tea and hot dogs.

Matthew Wisniewski, Photo Editor
Junior, Journalism Major
Sun Prairie, WI
You’re stranded on the proverbial desert island. What three things can you not live without?: My camera, my MacBook, the Internet
What do you do to unwind?: I either listen to music or go take pictures.
Describe your most meaningful/fun-filled artistic experience:  Any date I have with my beautiful girlfriend.  We're both photographers, so we go on photo-dates.  We buy some balloons and then walk around and take pictures.  These dates are reminders to me of why I'm alive and how to be happy.

Lauren Maggio, Production Associate
Senior, Journalism-Strategic Communication
Waunakee, WI
Favorite part about Wisconsin:  That we get to experience all four seasons here. I especially like fall after the humidity is finally gone and it hasn’t snowed yet. I bet they take nice weather for granted in California; I don’t care if the cows are happy.
You’re stranded on the proverbial desert island. What three things can you not live without?: 1. Smart Water 2. Internet, particularly Google search 3. Tombstone Brick Oven Pizza
What do you do to unwind?:  I like to have a drink while I play up to 25 consecutive games of FreeCell on my computer in hopes of getting my winning percentage to increase a point.

Amanda McGowan, Production Associate           
Senior, Journalism and Strategic Communication Major
Mount Horeb, WI
Favorite part about Wisconsin: My favorite part of Wisconsin is the fall season. The weather is perfect, the color of the leaves is gorgeous and Saturdays are filled with Badger game days. You couldn’t ask for more.
Dream job: I would like to write the next Harry Potter-type books, retire when I’m 30 after making my millions, and then move the a remote countryside home where I can enjoy a relaxing life. A little more realistically, I would like to write for a magazine, possibly a travel or cooking magazine.
You’re stranded on the proverbial desert island. What three things can you not live without?: 1) Coffee 2) lip gloss 3) a book to read.
What do you do to unwind?: I go shopping. I should really find a new way to relieve stress though…

Maya Carroll, Online Editor
Senior, Journalism and French Major
Whitefish Bay, WI
Favorite part about Wisconsin:  I love Lake Michigan – walking along the beach near my home reminds me of an ocean. I’m also a fan of Wisconsin’s abundance of delicious, squeaky cheese curds and visiting Door County in the fall – biking through forest trails, camping, swimming and the Sister’s Bay fish broil.
Dream job: I would love to host a show on the Food Network, traveling the world and learning to cook tasty, easy-to-make, foreign dishes.
You’re stranded on the proverbial desert island. What three things can you not live without?: 1) My sisters! 2) coffee 3) sunscreen

Christina Endres, Online Associate
Senior, English and Journalism Major
Eau Claire, WI
Favorite part about Wisconsin:  My favorite part of Wisconsin is our autumns.  I love the weather, the leaves, the apple orchard, and all the fall smells.
What do you do to unwind?: The best way for me to unwind is going rollerblading on the bike trails in Madison and around the lakes.
You’re stranded on the proverbial desert island. What three things can you not live without?:  I could not live without my pillow, the Internet, and some way to listen to music.

LaRissa Grover, Online Associate
Senior, Strategic Communication Major
Racine, WI           
Favorite part about Wisconsin:  My favorite part about Wisconsin is the beautiful scenery we have across the state that changes from season to season.  
What do you do to unwind?: To unwind I like to do yoga or watch a funny movie with my friends.
Describe your most meaningful/fun-filled artistic experience:   A fun-filled artistic experience for me is creating new clothes for myself or others.

Heather Sliwinski, Online Associate
Senior, Strategic Communications Major and Certificate in Business
Sleepy Hollow, IL
Favorite part about Wisconsin: My favorite part about Wisconsin is how its culture is so intertwined with German culture.  I'm German and love brats, cheese and a good polka, so even though I’m from Illinois, I feel like I fit right in!
You’re stranded on the proverbial desert island. What three things can you not live without?: Since I’d have a lot of free time, I would bring my dad’s guitar, a book to teach me how to actually play guitar and a bottle of SPF 50, because I blister in the sun.
Dream job:  My dream job is to own a coffeehouse/music venue, but my realistic dream job is to be an event planner.  I love being able to put together something fun and watch others enjoying the final product.