The 2026 Rock Stars

Seventeen students from 16 different high schools and four states participated in the multimedia journalism class at the 2026 Media & Leadership Academy, hosted June 8-12 by the Grady College of Journalism and Mass Communication at the University of Georgia. These students produced more than 40 stories featured on this site. PHOTO / SAM TUPPER

Click the photo of each journalist below to view their stories, or use the website menu to view by story type.

Kaya Collins
Cumming, Georgia
Forsyth Central H.S.
Sam Crumly
Marietta, Georgia
Stonehaven Upper School
Ty Garrett
Asheville, North Carolina
AB Tech Early College
Bristol Hardman
Danielsville, Georgia
Madison County H.S.
Evelyn Jeffords
Atlanta, Georgia
Whitfield Academy
Reese Johnson
Vidalia, Georgia
Tombs County H.S.
Kirsten Jolly
Villa Rica, Georgia
New Manchester H.S.
Grady Leatherwood
Calhoun, Georgia
Calhoun H.S.
Becket McDuffie
Palos Verde, California
Palos Verdes H.S.
Fiona McGaraghan
Menlo Park, California
Menlo-Atherton H.S.
Jeremiah McKinney
Acworth, Georgia
North Cobb H.S.
NaAbena Nyarkowaa-Kusi
Lawrenceville, Georgia
GSMST
Grace O’Rourke
Palos Verdes, California
Palos Verdes H.S.
Addison Pendegraft
Johns Creek, Georgia
Johns Creek H.S.
Uri Powell
Milton, Georgia
Alpharetta H.S.
Meredith Rein
Canton, Georgia
Sequoyah H.S.
J.T. West
Natchez, Mississippi
Natchez Early College