Madeline Plesac is a junior majoring in Mass Communications with a double minor in Film and Video Studies and Theatre. She is from Valparaiso, Indiana and is returning to Fast Track for a second semester. Madeline will continue to anchor the weekly news magazine this semester. She has held an internship at Lakeshore Public Television, sideline reports for the Big Ten Network, and works with Elliot Hall of Music Production to write, research, and produce videos used for various events at Purdue University. Madeline is excited to further her career within the industry.

 Holly Gaither is a junior from Freehold, New Jersey, majoring in Mass Communications with a minor in Film and Theatre. This is her first semester with FastTrack and is currently one of the anchors . She has interned at an online fashion magazine FashionWrapup and is a member of Liberal Arts Student Council focusing on career development. She enjoy fashion, photography, and film. After graduation she hopes to find a job in Entertainment news or the film industry.

Madalyn Nichols is joining Fast Track for a second semester as a reporter and anchor for Fast Track. She is a senior from Indianapolis, IN and will be graduating in May with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Mass Communication. She is interested in pursuing a career in either News reporting or Event Planning. Being involved in Fast Track, as well as being an executive member for Boiler Vision, has allowed her to grow into a confident backpack journalist.

Natalie Russell is a senior from Indianapolis, Indiana. Her major is Mass Communications focusing on broadcast journalism. This is her first semester with Fast Track and is both an anchor and reporter. She is on the Latin Ballroom Dance Team and Co-Founder, Vice-President and lead anchor of BoilerVision. She has interned at WISH TV in Indianapolis and plans on interning at another news station this upcoming summer. Volunteering is also a big part of her life she traveled to South Africa this past summer working at an AIDS orphanage. Her career goals include being an investigative reporter and hopefully one day incorporate some type of international reporting.

James Parish II will be graduating in May 2013 with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Atmospheric Science. This is his second semester with Fast Track and is the resident meteorologist. Upon graduation, he plans on pursuing a career as a Broadcast Meteorologist.  His goal is to work at The Weather Channel or Good Morning America.

 Lindsey Clark is a senior at Purdue University majoring in Mass Communications with a minor in Organizational Leadership Skills. She is from Crestwood, Illinois and this is her first semester with Fast Track. She is an active member in the organization BoilerVision and currently is the Sports Director. This past summer Lindsey was a news intern for WTVO an ABC affiliate in Rockford, IL. She also was a sports intern for WREX an NBC affiliate also located in Rockford, IL. Lindsey hopes to pursue a career in sports broadcasting after she graduates in May of 2013.

 Jay Stephens is a senior double majoring in Political Science and Mass Communication from Gainesville, Georgia. He currently works at Purdue Recreational Sports as a Facility Manager and Fitness Consultant. In his free time he enjoys writing the Odyssey, Purdue’s Greek newspaper, lifting, and following music charts. After graduation he plans to attend law school to attain a joint degree (Juris Doctorate/MBA). He then plans to move to New York City where he wants to practice Family Law. His long-term goals include having his own nightly television show on CNN.

 Brody Carter is currently a senior at Purdue University studying Mass Communications in the Brian Lamb School of Liberal Arts. He is 23 years old and is from Valparaiso,IN. After graduation Brody plans on becoming a television news reporter. His favorite pastime activity is snowboarding.

Meghan Cruz is a senior in Mass Communication from Ponte Vedra, Florida and will be graduating in May of 2013. Her time spent at Purdue includes an internship with the Athletic Department that’s affiliated with the Big 10 Network where she reports for Purdue Sports.  Meghan is the President of BoilerVision, a production that is run and hosted by students. This is Meghan’s first semester with Fast Track and she is looking forward to the opportunity to work with talented and accomplished individuals as she begins to look for jobs in broadcasting. Meghan has lived in four different states and owns the cutest bulldog in the world named Smallz! She is very close with her family, which include her parents who graduated from Purdue and her sister who hopes to also join the family legacy at Purdue.

Xue (Serena) Dong is currently a senior majoring in Mass Communication with a minor in Organizational Leadership. On campus, she was the former president of Global China Connection Purdue Chapter and the Art Director of Purdue Undergraduate Chinese Student and Scholars Association. She has interned with the Voice of America this past summer. Upon graduation, she hopes to become a journalist with CNN news or NBC news and to continue pursuing her career as a news anchor.

Allie Goodrich is a graduating senior majoring in Mass Communication with a minor in Global Studies and English. The Livonia, Michigan native is in Fast Track for the first time. She is pursuing a career in journalism and enjoys both print and broadcast reporting. On the side, she also hopes to become involved within the non-profit sector and to travel the world. Allie was a reporter for The Purdue Exponent student newspaper for five semesters and an editor two semesters. She has also had a news internship at Fox 59 WXIN in Indianapolis during the summer of 2012. In the future, Allie hopes her passion for journalism will take her to new places and interesting people.

Taylor Adams is a senior majoring in Public Relations and Rhetorical Advocacy.  She is from Indianapolis, Indiana and this is her first semester with Fast Track. Taylor  will serve as a reporter this semester bringing engaging and heart warming packages to the viewers.  She currently holds an internship at local West Lafayette news station, WLFI, as the news intern. She also currently works with Carlos Diaz, of HLN’s Morning Express With Robin Meade, to further her on-camera and editing skills. Taylor is excited about her future in the broadcast industry and hopes to gain valuable experience here at Fast Track.

Steve Schreck is majoring in Mass Communication with a concentration in journalism. He loves to watch and play sports and that has taken him to where he is today, trying to find a career in sports journalism. He currently works at The Exponent as one of the assistant sports editors. He followed in his father’s footsteps to West Lafayette and Purdue. Steve will be graduating this spring.

Yu (Rebecca) Hu is a senior graduating next December. This is her first semeter with FastTrack. Also she is currently involved in BoilerVision. She has had an internship as an director assistant last. She enjoys shooting film, making music videos, commercials and producing or directing live shows. One day she would like to be a producer or director after.  She considers herself a foodie and loves cooking and is very interested in having her own travel and cuisine television show.

Lauren Hausermann is a senior from Schaumburg, Illinois majoring in Mass Communication with a minor in English Literature. This is her second semester with Fast Track and she is currently serving the role as producer. On campus Lauren is involved with numerous organizations and serves as a Dean’s Ambassador and on the Student Leadership Council for the College of Liberal Arts. This past summer Lauren interned with Oak Brook Productions creating original programing for WGN and CLTV in Chicago. Upon graduation Lauren hopes to pursue a career in television production and one day be the executive producer of a talk or reality show.