(Top; left to right:) Katy McQuillan, Lorynne Benavides, Channing Flatt, Chris Gibbens, CaiAyhn Ford, Briana Busby.

(Bottom; left to right:) Arynn Tomson, Latricia Powell, Nicolette Howe, Katelyn Rivera, Quanecia Fraser, Ashley Inge.

Quanecia Fraser is the Texan News Service executive editor. She is a junior, majoring in Communications, with a focus in Broadcast Journalism. Fraser is also involved in Society of Professional Journalists (SPJ), BOLD, National Association of Black Journalists, National Society of Leadership and Success, National Society of Collegiate Scholars, Women on Air, Radio and Television Digital News Association, Phi Eta Sigma Honor Society, and Gamma Beta Phi Honor Society.

While working at TNS, Fraser wants to develop all the skills she needs to be a successful journalist and help her co-workers reach their goals. Her short-term goal is to have an internship at a television news station in the summer. Her long-term career goal is to become a television news reporter and anchor at a station.  Her life motto is “Sitting at the edge, gazing at the sun, how will you get there if you do not try?”

Fraser looks up to her mother, her brother Quincy, Dan and Kathryn Malone, Robin Roberts, Barbara Walters, Lester Holt, Tamron Hall, Diane Sawyer, and Oprah.

Interests: spending time with family and friends, shopping, make-up, and watching documentaries.

Latricia Powell is the Texan News Service managing editor. She is a senior, majoring in Communications, with a focus in Broadcast Journalism and a minor in tech writing. Powell is the president of the Tarleton SPJ chapter and represents TNS in the Student Government Association.

During her internship, Powell wants to revolutionize TNS and make it more efficient than when she first became involved. Her short-term goal is to graduate after this semester. Her long-term goal is to graduate and get a in a field that she enjoys.  Her life motto is “And what do you benefit if you gain the whole world but lose your own soul?”

Powell’s role models are her parents, and Dan and Kathryn Malone.

Interests: watching TV, going to the movies, hanging out with friends, cats dogs, and babies.

Arynn Tomson is the art director for Texan News Service and Cross Timbers Trails. She is a junior double majoring in English and Art. She is the secretary for Tarleton’s SPJ chapter and is a member of the National Society of Leadership and Success. At TNS, Tomson wants to gain experience in artistic design and journalism, and be able to network with people for her future career. Her long-term goals are to become a graphic designer or a professor of English or Art.

Interests: drawing, painting, music, reading, cats, coffee, and watching documentaries.

Ashley Inge is a the editor for Cross Timbers Trails.  She is a junior and a Broadcast Journalism Communications major. She is a member of BSM and SPJ. At TNS, Inge wants to get enough experience in print and TV so that she can show her employers that she knows more than one area of her future career. Her short-term goal is to learn more about TriCaster and get comfortable teaching the broadcast class and work at a newspaper when she graduates. Her long-term goal is to eventually work at a news station.

Her motto is: “Live for the moments you can’t put into words.” Her role models are her parents, Katie Couric, and Carrie Underwood.

Interests: Netflix, singing, reading, writing, dyeing her hair crazy colors.

Joel Leach II is a the executive producer for Texan TV News. He is a sophomore majoring in communications. While at TNS, he wants to gain experience and knowledge while also having fun and making connections. His short-term goal is to find a job or internship in production. Leach’s long-term goal os to become an executive producer for a big market station, and to produce movies and shows.

His motto is: “Our prime purpose in life is to help people. If you can’t help them at the very least don’t hurt them.”

Interests: music, sports, movies, photography, videography, and shopping.

Katelyn Rivera is an associate producer for Texan TV News. She is a senior Communications major with a focus in broadcast journalism with a teacher certification. At TNS, Rivera wants to gain real-world experience and confidence in herself in her field. Her short-term goal is to make the most out of her last year at Tarleton, surrounded by good people. Her long-term goal is to pay off her student loans and to have a lifetime of success and happiness.

Rivera’s life motto is: “Your life only gets better when you do work on yourself and the rest will follow.”

Her role models are Erin Robinson, Joanna Gaines and Amy Lee.

Interests: unnecessary online shopping and binge-watching Spanish novellas.

Lorynne Benavides is the sports editor for Texan News. She is a sophomore majoring in Communications with an emphasis in Broadcast Journalism. She is also a member of SPJ. Benavides hopes to build her resume and strengthen her journalism and professional skills while working for Texan News. Her short-term goal is to raise her GPA and become a better journalist. Her long-term goal is to become a platform for those whose voices deserve to be heard.

Her life motto is “Do good anyway.”

Benavides’ role models are her family.

Interests: fashion, spirituality, and raising her son, Axel.

Briana Busby is the opinion editor for Texan News. She is a senior majoring in English with an emphasis in tech writing. She is a member of SGA and Delta Phi Epsilon. While at TNS, Busby hopes to strengthen her editorial skills, learn a new writing style, form good relationships, and to write more. Her short-term goal is to pass all her classes with an A and graduate in the fall. Her long-term goal is to get her master’s in English and teacher higher education or in education/business and become a principal.

Busby’s life motto is: “Do it with passion or not at all.” Her role models are her mom, Shonda Rhimes, and Krystal Agbahiwe.

Interests: sleeping, writing, reading, Netflix, and hanging with family and friends.

Chris Gibbens is the sports reporter for Texan News. He is a senior Communications major with a focus in Broadcast Journalism. Gibbens is involved in Eagle Scouts and a part of the Tarleton football team. At TNS, Gibbens hopes to build his portfolio for long-term employment. His short-term goal is to be successful in his classes and football, and to work this semester. His long-term goal is to build a career that he is passionate about.

Gibbens’ life motto is: “So far, so good… so what?” His role models are his parents, Jake Long, Tom Delonge, Darrell Abbott, and Dave Mustaine.

Interests: football and music.

Nicolette Howe is the art assistant for Texan News Service. She is a junior majoring in Agriculture Communication. Howe is involved in ACT and Sigma Alpha.

While working at TNS, she wants to gain experience and knowledge to help with getting a job in the future. Her short-term goal is to make the Dean’s List. Her long-term goal is to travel the world.

Howe’s life motto is “No matter what they tell you, you don’t have to stay between the lines.” Her role model is Ashley Ford.

Interests: makeup and Netflix.

Channing Flatt is a multimedia journalist for Texan News Service. Flat is a junior majoring in Communications. He is a member of SPJ and Kappa Delta Rho. His short-term goal is to win an award, and his long-term goal is to become rich.

His life motto is: “My incompetence knows no bounds.”

His role models are Stephen Colbert, John Oliver, and Alejandra Arreguin.

Katy McQuillian is a multimedia journalist for Texan News Service. She is a senior Communication major with a focus in Broadcast Journalism and a minor in Political Science.  McQuillan’s short-term goal is to pass her classes, write a story a day for any type of medium necessary, and to make a package a week. Her long-term goal is to have job lined up by the time she graduates. Her dream job is to become a White House Chief National Correspondent for a major television network.

Her life mottos are: “For I know the plans I have for you, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.”  Along with “Go for it,” and “Never give up.”  Her role models are her parents, Erin Andrews, Sam Ponder, Dana Perino, Laura Ingraham, Jason Kennedy of E! News, Erin Lim, and Allie Stuckey.

Interests: Dallas Cowboys football, Tarleton athletic, all things U.S military and American politics, TV, movies, and jam sessions.

Blanca Izquierdo is a multimedia journalist for Texan News. She is a junior majoring in Communications. Izquierdo is involved in the International Students Association and is a part of the Tarleton volleyball team. At TNS, Izquierdo hopes to gain real work experience and challenge herself to do so in her second language. Her short-term goal is to be successful in volleyball and graduate college. Her long-term goal is to host her own talk show and work on Real Madrid TV.

Izquierdo’s life motto is: “What you think, you create.” Her role models are her parents and Oprah Winfrey.

Interests: sports, weather, movies, Real Madrid soccer, and her family.

Kayleigh Williams is the promotions director for Texan News Service. She is a senior majoring in Communication. While working at TNS, she hopes to gain experience that will build her resume and propel her into the workforce. Williams short-term goal is to survive her 8-week event coordination seminar and graduate with a 4.0 GPA. Her long-term goal is to become a successful PR executive in Denver and to hike all the time.

Williams’ life motto is: “Why not?” Her role models are her mom, Dr. Aho, Oprah, Jerry Seinfield, Teddy Roosevelt, and Jose Altuve.

Interests: sports (The Astros), painting, music, cats, coffee, and sleeping.

Updated Jan. 2018

(Photos by Arynn Tomson)