Get To Know The Staff: Natalia Zreliak

(Photo: Frances Meng-Frecker)

Why did you want to join the Highlander?

In high school, I decided to join the newspaper on a whim and fell in love. As soon as I found out that I was going to Regis I looked into working on The Highlander and after taking a news writing class from Ian Dawe I knew that's exactly where I wanted to be.

Please describe your position on the Highlander.

I'm the digital editor of The Highlander so I'm in charge of posting stories to the website and the app. I also was in charge of the switch to digital which is probably what I'm most proud of. I spent many nights up late nitpicking fonts and colors for the website and app design but in the end, it all came together perfectly.

Now tell us something that makes you unique.

Oh wow, I don’t know, I guess I'm mildly allergic to vinegar so every time I eat anything with vinegar in it like ketchup I start to sweat under my eyes. My entire family does so I thought it was totally normal until one time I brought it up at dinner my freshman year and all my friends looked at me like I had grown a second head. Or maybe my love for Billy Joel, which in and of itself isn't unique but I think the fact that almost every song of his makes me cry might be. Just last week I started crying in the cafeteria because "She's Always A Woman" came on and my friend Ali, like any good pal would, recorded me. My all time favorite songs of his are "Scenes From An Italian Restaurant" and "We Didn't Start The Fire.” You pick which one to put!

(They were both too good and if you know Natalia, then you know these are definitely her.)

Samantha Jewell
Social Media Editor

Get To Know The Staff: Marley Weaver-Gabel

(Photo: Frances Meng-Frecker)

Why did you want to join the Highlander?

Initially, I joined the Highlander because I had been involved with the newspaper in high school. Joining the Highlander was just a natural transition into college. I joined, initially wanting to help in whatever way I could. I started out doing reporting and layout. Hayley Lokken and I did the bulk of the layout during my first year with the Highlander. By the end of that first year, I had moved into doing some editing and then was asked to take over when the previous Editor in Chief Gina Nordini graduated. So why did I join...mostly because of my passion for student journalism that was fostered in high school. Why did I stay? Because I witnessed the potential for what the Highlander could become and knew I wanted to be part of creating a sustainable, student focused publication.

Will you describe your position?

Currently, I am the Editor in Chief of the Highlander. In this position, I get to oversee a lot of the little pieces that make our whole organization successfully function. During our weekly meetings, we assign stories, and I take note of those, making sure reporters know what type of story they are writing, and when it is due. I also work closely with the photo editor, Frances Meng-Frecker, to ensure all of our stories have an accompanying photo. On the back end, once the story is finished, I have the last set of eyes on that story before I send it to the digital media editor Natalia Zreliak to post on to the website and the app. Being part of a team like the Highlander is incredibly rewarding, and it brings me joy to see writers develop and progress. One of my absolute favorite things about the job is getting to edit and give feedback to stories when reporters bring them to me for extra assistance. Helping my peers become better writers makes me indescribably fulfilled, and I am so thankful for this position to allow me to unleash that passion.

What's something that makes you unique?

Something the general populace might not know: I had the incredible opportunity to travel to Haiti over spring break as part of an Opus Prize Foundation site visit team. In October, the Opus Prize Nominees will be on campus to visit Regis. On October 11, the recipient of the 2017 Opus Prize will be announced at a formal presentation, and the student body is encouraged to attend!! For more information visit: http://www.regis.edu/About-Regis-University/Regis-University-Leadership/Office-of-the-President/Opus-Award.aspx

Samantha Jewell
Social Media Editor