MADDIE PETTA
As the Indy’s new Managing Editor, Petta attends Clark with the intent of receiving a News Media Studies Certificate. She says she is “trying to sculpt [her] education to what [she loves] rather than trying to push for somewhere else.” Petta’s long term involvement in Speech & Debate also plays a role in moving toward a future where she will utilize the public speaking skills she’s obtained over the years. In her free time, Petta practices Christian values, enjoys taking care of her David Austin roses and finding new places to adventure.
DUSTIN KOGLER
First starting at the Indy as a reporter in 2015, Kogler’s lifelong interest in film led him to his current position as the Indy’s Arts and Entertainment Editor. Kogler, who says picking a favorite director would be like picking a favorite child, enjoys reviewing movies and writing about the artistic side of student life at Clark. He strives to continue a career in reviewing movies and other types of media in the future. Kogler’s favorite past-time, of course, is a trip to the movies.”
SARAH KAUFMAN
Kaufman always knew she wanted to become an English teacher due to her passion for language arts. The Indy’s new Copy Editor hopes to obtain an AA at Clark before transferring to Trinity Western University in Langley, B.C. to study towards an English degree. Her dedication to education has also drawn her to be a part of Phi Theta Kappa on campus. She loves to read and sleep and spends most of her time playing goalkeeper for Clark’s soccer team and nannying.
ELLIOTT LANG
Lang hopes to take the skills he learns from Clark and apply them to his future career, which he hopes will involve as much traveling, food and writing as possible. The Online Editor has even seen “every episode of Anthony Bourdain because [he] loves what he does” and sees himself doing something similar to Bourdain’s job someday. As he continues to improve his writing and communication skills, Lang focuses most of his attention on the Indy site and has big ideas to make it better, starting with a brand new look. “I think we could make it look more sleek and modern, like a magazine,” he said.
DIANA ARISTIZBAL
After graduating with a degree in Graphic Design from CESDE in Colombia, Aristizbal joined the Independent in 2014 as the Visuals Editor and has been laying out pages ever since. While she aims to improve her work and organization skills, she also hopes her time at the Indy will provide her with the skills in communication to travel and succeed as a freelance artist. “Every-day routines are exhausting but [as a designer] I have the opportunity to stop that routine and create,” she said.
BENJI GRUNDNER
As Senior Reporter for his second consecutive term, Grundner said he aims to write relevant information about Clark and work toward missing fewer stories that typically “fly under the radar.” Having begun at the newspaper in 2015, he plans to continue writing as a career, possibly through political journalism with National Geographic. Outside the newsroom, Grundner enjoys playing competitive quidditch, cooking and writing about the NFL.
CODIE GOLDSBY
Goldsby is thrilled to be joining the Indy staff this term as Junior Visuals Editor. Having always loved experimenting with paint and other materials, Goldsby said she is drawn to graphic design because it mixes these artistic elements with the malleability of programs such as InDesign and Photoshop. She plans to transfer to Washington State University Vancouver, where she aims to gain a Bachelors in Graphic Design. Currently, Goldsby is enjoying her time at Clark and believes her experience at the Independent will give her the necessary tools to continue with her chosen career.
STEVIE RIEPE
In his first term at the Indy, Riepe aims to improve his skills as a reporter and see what working at the Independent is all about through his role as the Advertising Manager. While he hasn’t decided on a direction to head after Clark, Riepe hopes to transfer to a four year university. When he isn’t in the newsroom, he enjoys acting and is a member of Crusaders for Christ. If he’s not already exploring the outdoors, Riepe likes to read about the environment and history.
ADEENA ROSE WADE
Though Wade graduated from Clark with her transfer degree in 2016, she’s back after a hiatus of working with the Portland Rose Festival to be the Indy’s Social Media Manager. This quarter she is also running the Indy’s newest project, Humans of Clark College, where she hopes to capture the beauty “not always recognized around Clark.” Outside of attending WSU Vancouver full time and Clark part-time, Wade is passionate about self-care and her freelance creative work.
LUC HOEKSTRA
In his first term as Campus Editor, Hoekstra hopes to highlight artistic events and creative clubs throughout campus. This is something he strives to incorporate into his career as a journalist. Hoekstra’s aiming for his AA and News Media Studies Certificate before transferring to a university or taking an opportunity to work for a newspaper. When he isn’t finding goth events around Portland, Hoekstra enjoys reading Mark Twain.
AINSLIE CROMAR
A senior Running Start student from Battle Ground High School, Cromar hopes her time at the Independent will give her the hands-on experience she needs to transfer to a university and pursue a career in journalism. As the Life Editor, a position Cromar has always been drawn to, she will be a step closer to the future she wants. While working toward her AA at Clark, Cromar also plays trombone in the Advanced Jazz Band at her high school and enjoys writing poetry.
MARVIN PEÑA
Having received a Bachelor in Journalism from Universidad Catolica Andres Bello in Venezuela, Peña began his career reporting on sports and hopes to bring what he has learned at Clark to public relations, specifically working with nonprofit organizations. Peña also writes and manages Mundo Clark, the spanish language publication which runs as an insert in the Indy. In his free time, he loves cooking, salsa dancing, and spending time with his friends.
RILEY CLARKE
Clarke said that as the Editor in Chief, he hopes he is able to “grease the hinges” for each section to ensure the Indy runs as efficiently as possible. Clarke, who has dabbled in just about every position at the Indy, said that above all, the experience is giving him an idea of what working in the industry will look like. He writes freelance, but also likes to work on his own projects every once in awhile.
ANDY BAO
Since becoming the Indy’s Photo Editor, Bao has been able to dive deeper into the journalism field and improve the storytelling aspect of his photography. While he is currently working towards his transfer AA, his time at the Independent has made him consider continuing a career in photojournalism. Aside from going to Clark, Bao is a photography intern at the Columbian. Bao also enjoys fashion and music.
Kindal Dolph
This may be Dolph’s first quarter on the Indy, but she’s no stranger to writing. Dolph knew that she wanted to start her own magazine ever since she started stealing copies of Vogue from her sister’s room as a kid. As News Editor, Dolph said she’s focused on learning as much as she can about the college and the paper, to help her achieve her future goals
