The Upstart is a publication created by and for Michigan Interscholastic Press Association student journalists’ to share their work. We’re covering the 2026 summer workshop at Michigan State University. As it happens.
Our staff blends professional, college and high school journalists working side-by-side all week. We’ll put everything on this snazzy website custom built by Aaron Olson that uses WordPress 3.0 and HTML 5. We’ll use Twitter, Instagram and Facebook too. (#MIPA2025 is the hashtag to follow.)
That’s the easy part. Journalism isn’t about tools. It’s about telling stories. And compelling storytelling – whatever form it takes – is what we’re striving for. We’ll use the site to showcase the Sparty-winning stories, photos, designs and videos created at camp.
After that? We want Michigan’s student journalists to submit their storytelling to the site all year. Use our resources page to find know-how and inspiration. (Advisers, this goes for you too. Got a presentation, handout or webinar you’re willing to share? Submit it.)
Questions? Email us at theupstart@mipamsu.org, or at any of our personal emails.
Staff
Our staff this year consists of 11 graduated seniors. We hail from Ann Arbor, Dearborn, Chesterfield, East Lansing, Kalamazoo, and Lake Orion. The staff is advised by Chris Richert, General Manager of the State News here at Michigan State University.
Sabrina Baiz
Sabrina Baiz is a journalist, editor and student leader with a passion for storytelling and community engagement. As editor-in-chief of her school newspaper, she led a team of student journalists while covering issues that impacted her community. Her work has focused on informing readers, amplifying local voices and promoting meaningful dialogue. Through journalism, Sabrina has developed strong leadership, communication, and writing skills that she continues to use to inspire others and make a positive impact.
Ryan Bezas
Ryan Bezas is a photographer, cinematographer and journalist attending Michigan State University in the fall. Best known for his sports coverage at Huron High School, he focuses on capturing the emotion, energy and defining moments of competition. Beyond sports, his work includes professional portraits, school media and documentary-style storytelling.
Zolton Hall Jr.
Zolton Hall Jr. aims to create a stronger foundation for storytelling, inspired by August Wilson’s impactful worldview and social activism. His passion for film comes from a desire to honor legacies like Wilson’s and develop new, meaningful stories for future generations. Zolton attended Fredrick V. Pankow Center in L’Anse Creuse and will double major in film production and theatre at Central Michigan University.
Jessica Mielock
Jess Mielock will be attending the University of Michigan in the fall to study sociology. During her time ant East Lansing High School, she served as one of four editor-in-chiefs for Ceniad, where she worked as a writer and copy editor during her three years. Jess is dedicated to storytelling and ensuring that people feel seen in publications and media.
David Pavelich
David Pavelich is a University of Michigan student who graduated from Lake Orion High School. He has been producing journalism content since 2020, and has been involved in numerous short films, animated works and PSAs. His other interests include theatre and drawing.
Carter Pickett
Carter Pickett just graduated from Loy Norrix High School in Kalamazoo. He plans to go to Hope College to study business and economics with a minor in communication. In his free time he likes to go fishing, play guitar and hang out with friends.
Belle Potter
Belle Potter is a graduate of East Lansing High School, where she was a three-year member of the Portrait newspaper staff, serving as a co-editor-in-chief of copy, print editor and writer. Belle will be attending Michigan State University in the fall to pursue journalism. She is passionate about storytelling and hopes to tell as many authentic stories as possible.
Matthew Rumsey
Matthew Rumsey is a graduate of East Lansing High School. He worked on the Ceniad yearbook for two years and was the coverage editor for the past year. Matt also pursued broadcasting in high school as the public announcer for basketball and baseball this past year. He is planning to continue studying journalism at Penn State University.
Isha Savi
Isha Savi has been attending the MIPA Summer Workshop since 2021 and is incredibly excited to be an Upstart Fellow. Her work in student journalism includes her roles as the website editor-in-chief of the award-winning Emery at Huron High School, as well as the founder and editor of the Sound of the River Zine. She attends Emerson College with a major in journalism.
Brody Turner
Brody Turner is a photographer, videographer and aspiring media professional from Ann Arbor. He was honored as All-MIPA Photojournalism, a recognition of his dedication to visual storytelling and journalism. Brody operates his own photography business, creating sports and client-focused work while continually expanding his creative and technical skills. In fall, he will begin an internship with Spartan Vision at Michigan State University, gaining experience in sports media production.
Ella Yip
Ella Yip has attended the MIPA Summer Workshop since 2022 when she was a freshman at Huron High School in Ann Arbor. She served as print editor-in-chief for the Huron Emery before graduating in 2026, and plans to attend Michigan State University’s James Madison College in the fall double majoring in politics, rights and culture and journalism.
Code of Ethics
A journalists’ responsibility is to seek the truth and report it, minimize harm, act independently and be accountable. We’ll strive to abide by the guidelines set forth by the Society of Professional Journalists’ Code of Ethics.
Usage policies
Student-run publications may use content produced by The Upstart journalists at no cost if they retain the journalists’ bylines. If you’re using our content online, we’d appreciate some link love (let folks know they can find us at theupstart.mipamsu.org).
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 3.0 United States License.