A Daily Cup Of Jo
This site is a learning tool populated by youth-created content in partnership with Street-Level.
Meet the Journalists
Colleen Iudice
editor
Colleen Iudice is a youth media educator and has been working with young people helping them to create journalistic media for over six years. She received a B.A in English and Telecommunications from Indiana University after that she spent a very cold but wonderful year in Portland, Maine learning how to create audio documentaries. Colleen has spent several years working in public radio polishing her journalistic game, she has reported and produced for a number of different shows including Chicago Public Radio and WFYI, public radio in Indianapolis.
When she’s not being a nerd about public radio or helping kids to learn how to be the best reporter they can be she likes to spend time with her dog Henry, make stamps (and stamp things), ride her bike and hang out with her fiancé David. Colleen is also known to bake cookies and bring them in for students who work extra hard.
Laura Ledesma is a high school senior at Josephinum Academy. She was born and raised in the wonderful and busy neighborhood of Wrigleyville in Chicago, IL. Her favorite subject is English and occasionally Math (when it doesn't involve fractions). She has two older brothers and an older sister and has been playing competitive soccer for eight years. She also had the privilege to visit Peru this past summer as part of a missionary trip.
Laura has an extreme love for journalism, specifically print and opinion pieces. She has been working one-on-one with a journalist for over three years who has helped her improve her writing skills. Laura will be attending college in the Fall of 2013 at Bradley University where she will study journalism, mass communications, and psychology. In her spare time, she loves to write personal essays and listen to music.
Laura Ledesma
reporter
Daisy Patino
reporter
Daisy Patino is a senior at Josephinum Academy and she's exited to go to college this Fall. She has been living in Logan Square for 18 years, never once has moved in her life. Daisy lives with both her parents Ninfa and Teodoro, her sister Rocio, her two nieces Ysabel and Yaritza and lets not forget her dog Jugueton.
One of the things that she enjoys is eating her mothers delicious Mexican home cook meals. During her free time she likes to hangout with her friends and loves to watch movies. She is always willing to try new things and visit new places. Last summer Daisy got the opportunity to travel to Peru and help the people of Piura. While there she also got the chance to visit one of the new seven wonders of the world, Machu Picchu.
Sabrina Rivera
reporter
Sabrina Rivera is currently a sophomore at Josephinum Academy. Sabrina’s favorite subject in school is Algebra 2. She has the highest grade in her math class and strives to do her best in all her classes. She works hard, puts in effort, and strives to do her best in all she does. Sabrina attended Carlos Fuentes Charter School in the Logan Square area from fourth until eighth grade. After she graduated from Carlos Fuentes she began high school at Josephinum.
Sabrina is fifteen years old, born and raised in the Humboldt Park neighborhood. She is the middle child, having an older brother and a younger brother. When Sabrina is not in school, she enjoys spending time with her two one year old twin nephews. Sabrina also enjoys spending time with her family, and friends.
Sabrina thinks that journalism is interesting because people can express different ideas and opinions while having to investigate first and have facts to back up your words. However, Sabrina wants to become a pediatric nurse in the near future.
Danielle McCullough is a sophomore at Josephinun High school; she has been attending Josephinun since she was in the sixth grade. Her favorite subject would be Women’s Literature because it is enjoyable and interesting to learn about women of the past. She thinks Journalism is exciting because finding a beat that you like and turning it into some form of media that people can enjoy is interesting. You never know the stories that you can create, they don’t have to deal with writing, but it can be through video, audio, or pictures. You can tell a story using just about anything.
Danielle is very family-orientated and always puts family first. She is the oldest of five siblings and the daughter of two loving parents. Things that people do not know about Danielle are that she loves to read books and loves being creative. She likes reading books because she says they take her to another world, take her away from reality. She uses writing as a way to express herself because she believes that words are the most important tools. Danielle may be a little quiet at first, but after she warms up to you she will speak up and out more.
Danielle McCullough
reporter
Alexis Smyser is a 17 year old female student with high aspirations. She takes her education very seriously and spends her time outside of school educating herself in other ways. She takes poetry/writing classes, competes in city wide poetry slams, takes large scale painting classes, takes yoga and meditation courses, and works as a paid designer for a holiday card line at Marwen Art Gallery.
She is always looking for new experiences and loves to learn new things. In her down time Alexis likes to write short stories, blog about her day and art that inspires her, play ukulele, draw, cuddle with her lovable cat, or hangout with her close friends. Her goal in life is to always seek improvement in everything that she does, in the words of Abraham Lincoln "To remain as I am is impossible; I must die or be better".
Alexis Smyser
reporter
Karissa Jackson is an aspiring pediatric surgeon who currently attends Josephinum Academy as a senior. She is a Leo, very courageous and warm. She was born in Jamaica, WI the land of wood and water, where she attended Westwood High School for grades 7 to 11. She now lives in Chicago, Illinois.
She loves to dance, write poems and constantly sings her heart out. Her favorite time is at night when she gets to nurture her sixteen year relationship with her bed. She loves horses and adores babies. She enjoys writing poems and short stories and always says, " Don't worry, be happy!".
Karissa Jackson
reporter
Veronica Oscilowicz is an enthusiastic singer, actress, history buff, and writer which includes writing songs, poems, and stories. Photography and writing are what she finds most interesting in journalism. Before coming to Josephinum she attended St. Giles Catholic School and she lives in Humboldt Park. Even though she has lived in Chicago all her life, her roots extend to another country because her parents are originally from Poland.
Veronica is a senior, who is excited to go to college, and she has dreams that seem out of reach, but she’s not giving up until the life she has always dreamed of is hers.
Veronica Oscilowicz
reporter
Samantha Smyser is a 17 year old girl. She is a senior at Josephinum Academy, but before coming to Josephinum she was a student at Lincoln Park High School. Her favorite school subject is Literature, but she has countless interests and is easily fascinated by the world. She grew up and currently still lives in Humboldt Park, Chicago with her twin sister, older brother, and two loving parents. She is an aspirating artist and poet who loves thinking out of the box.
One aspect of journalism that excites her is you get to learn about new interesting topics and relate your own personal opinion to what you’re learning. Journalism is a form of expression and art that she truly appreciates and looks forward to exploring more in depth.
Samantha Smyser
reporter
Hi my name is Diana Servin, I’m a junior, and I love Business Class. I was born and raised in Chicago. I graduated from San Miguel, a private school. I hate to watch sport games, but I love to play them. Something that others don’t know about me is that I’m really good at baking, but horrible at cooking.
Diana's strongest subject isn't literature, but she's looking forward to learning about digital journalism.
Diana Servin
reporter
Asia Dodge attends Josephinum High School and is in the tenth grade. Before coming to Jo, Asia went to Immaculate Conception. Asia lives on the northside of Chicago with her grandmother, mom, and two dogs. Asia doesn’t have a favorite subject because she is more about music than school.
Asia loves music so much it’s her life and her soul. She loves all genres but she loves Rock- and- Roll the most. Asia is kind of shy but likes to have fun and she hopes to someday have a career in photography.
Asia Dodge
reporter
Mikenzi Currie is a sophomore and is 16yrs. old. She has a passion for doing hair and hopes to make that her career. Her favorite hobbies are walking, spending time with loved ones, and watching General Hospital. She lives with her brother Michael and mother Monique. The loved ones in her life will help her become more confident in herself. Mikenzi is confident she will be a very successful person in the future.
Mikenzi Currie
reporter
