Uptown Fernanda

Taking in the sun, Fernanda Ventura Palomo relaxes while exploring the campus of James Madison University. Being an upcoming junior and editor-in-chief of The Verdict at Justice High School in Fairfax, Palomo is eager to learn more about journalism at jCamp. Palomo prefers the lifestyle of the city, finding enjoyment in its never-ending fun. “There’s a lot of places where you can go for fun,” said Palomo. “It’s like a little community where everyone gets together.” She plans to travel to school in Boston to pursue her journalism interest, and to take in the city life.

Photo and story by Lucas Mora 

Assiduous Scarlett

Scarlett Griscom is a rising 8th grader at Skyline Middle School in Harrisonburg, Virginia. She stands near a blue spruce tree outside of Harrison Hall on July 6. Griscom is a very talented and committed runner. Griscom has always loved running from a young age, but she officially started her kickoff in 2024. She has won many awards and races at her track and cross country meets. “Running is hard. Running is painful. But I enjoy it and it pushes me past my limits,” Griscom said.

Photo and story by Alana Trouille-Zuniga. 

Artistic Adeline

Adeline Griscom is standing by Harrison Hall at James Madison University’s campus. Griscom is a rising 9th grader that is going to Rocktown High School in Harrisonburg Virginia. She loves art. “I have always done art since I was a kid and loved it,” Grimson said. She has a twin sister and a younger sister.

Photo and story by Cole Melchiori-McCabe

Soccer Alana

Alana Trouilla-Zuniga is standing by a tree outside of Harrison Hall on the James Madison University campus on July 6. Trouilla-Zuniga is in 7th grade and goes to Skyline Middle School in Harrisonburg, Virginia. Trouilla-Zuniga loves connecting with her teammates. “I like playing soccer together with my friends,” Trouilla-Zuniga said.

Photo and story by Brooks Baker

Golfing Brooks

Brooks Baker is a rising 8th grader who goes to East Rock Middle School . Baker stands outside Harrison Hall in front of a blue spruce at 6:35 p.m. on July 6. Bakers dad was a professional golfer who inspired him to create a love for golfing. “At age nine, I started my kickoff in golfing and have played every day since then,” Baker said.

Photo and story by Scarlett Griscom

Karate kid: Inara Cooper-Shoorish

Cooper-Shoorish goes to Thomas Harrison Middle School and will be attending seventh grade there in the fall. In the picture on the left she sits in a classroom on James Madison University campus. Something she likes to do in her spare time is practice her sport karate. According to her, she chose to do karate because, her parents pushed her to do it and it seemed so new and interesting. Personally Cooper-Shoorish’s favorite part about learning karate, is learning self defense. “It just feels so hands on to me,” Cooper-Shoorish said. Her favorite move involves a staff called kata. “The moves pieces just seem to fit together,” Cooper-Shoorish said.

Photography and story by Tinley Mannix

Athletic Leila

Leila Freimanis, a rising junior at West Potomac High School touches the pink flowers at James Madison University during her time at camp. Freimanis plays volleyball at her school, during her free time she is playing for Xfactor. She started in 8th grade for fun but grew to love the sport. She has played many sports before growing up but none of them stuck with her. “Focus on the specific skill you like,” Freimanis said. “It makes you a great player!” She advised to anyone interested in playing volleyball.

Photo and story by Fernanda Ventura Palomo

Skillful Charlie

Charlie Pickin, a rising 8th grader at Stewart Middle School, stands outside Harrison Hall on July 6. Pickin has a passion for shooting sports. Starting at a young age, she went out with her grandparents, sister and dad during hunting season. “I go most everyday of the week,” Pickin said.

Photo and story by Adeline Griscom 

Turbo Tinley 

Tinley Mannix stands by a tree at Harrison Hall on July 6. Mannix is a rising 8th grader who attends Montevideo Middle School in Harrisonburg, Virginia. Mannix plays volleyball, swims competitively and runs track and cross country. She enjoys each of the sports equally, but for different reasons. When Mannix plays volleyball, she feels as if she has control of the ball, and that gives her more confidence on the court. Mannix expresses swimming comes naturally to her, and she enjoys it for that reason. If she was to pursue a sport into high school or college, she said it would be swimming. “Some of my best friends do those sports, and my school friends do those sports and it helps me get closer to them,” Mannix said.

Photo and article by Cora Wiley

Piano Playing Cora

Cora Wiley is in grade 9th in Harrisonburg High School. She is pictured outside Harrison hall on James Madison University campus on July 6.  Wiley has 7 years of piano under her belt. One of her many favorite songs to play is “Deux Arabisque.”  Wiley’s interest in piano began with her sister. “My sister played for a long time. I started to go to go with her to lessons,” Wiley said. From there her interest grew.

Photo and caption by Inara Cooper-Shorish

Inspired Lucas

Lucas Mora, a rising senior at Colonial Forge High School, leans against a stone wall on July 6 at James Madison University. Mora highly enjoys his yearbook class at school where he interviews people, writes articles and designs spreads and templates. Interviewing people is one aspect of journalism and yearbook that he really appreciates. “Having a sit down conversation is my favorite thing,” Mora said. “Sometimes I don’t even bring questions, I just talk and make things up along the way.” He also enjoys photography and traveling. Although he has been to many countries, his trip to Panama made his inspired to take photos.

Photo and story by Leila Freimanis 

Keen Cole Melchiori-McCabe

Cole Melchiori-McCabe plays a virtual game of soccer in Harrison Hall. He goes to Thomas Harrison Middle School and is a rising 8th grader. Soccer is his passion. He first got started in 5th grade. “My 5th grade teacher really liked soccer,” Melchiori-McCabe said. “They would show us clips of games.” His little sister also plays soccer. Since he is also a soccer player, he feels like a role model to her.

Picture and story by Charlie Pickin