MISSION STATEMENT
Meridian is a collective of young journalists with a passion for telling stories through any medium necessary. We find inspiration in our daily lives and use words, photos, video and new media to bring the world to others. Meridian is as much a conduit as it is a vessel; our goal is to create an active community to help like-minded journalists grow, develop and promote their own work. We encourage each other’s artistic vision and use our individual talents to strengthen the group. Our skills are varied yet we share a common purpose — to inspire, connect and use journalism as a vehicle to promote social consciousness across the globe.
ABOUT US
JACKIE SNOW
CONTACT:
Jackie grew up on a small island off the coast of Florida absolutely certain she would grow up and be showered with praise and money for her amazing prose. While experimenting with writing in college, Jackie was exposed to—among other more traditional vices—journalism and promptly fell in love with reporting. While continuing to wait for the rest of the world to come to their senses and acknowledge her brilliant writing, Jackie started to take photos to go along with her articles. Deciding that storytelling felt more complete with visuals (and that maybe her 4th grade teacher isn’t the most valid or impartial writing critic) Jackie now dedicates her time telling stories that stimulate more than one sense.
In her spare time, Jackie likes tempting fate by biking in midtown Manhattan at rush hour without a helmet, sneaking into movies with senior tickets, filling her passport to the point of needing extra pages and writing as pretentiously as possible in third person.
SERENA RENNER
CONTACT:
Serena Renner is a freelance journalist based in the Bay Area of California. She has a deep interest in people and a desire to document life’s journeys. Ever since she was writing Wizard-of-Oz-inspired stories in elementary school, Serena wanted to be a writer; however, it wasn’t until working for her college newspaper that she found her calling in journalism. Serena’s passion for travel, the environment, and social justice is evident in her work, and she strives to use writing to introduce people to their neighbors, both near and far.
Serena has been awarded by the California College Media Association three times in the areas of best news feature and best news series. Her work has been published in the @UCSD Alumni Magazine, the Santa Cruz Weekly, Ode and Via Magazine, among other outlets.
WILL PARSON
CONTACT:
Will first picked up a camera at the age of four, and promptly put it back down so he could pick up a juice box or whatever it is normal kids like.
In high school he started taking photos of his friends. In his college years this escalated into taking photos of people who were not his friends. After graduation he was forced to leave the warm, fetal environment of the campus newspaper and put out his shingle as a freelance photographer.
For Meridian, Will recently kept a travelogue called “Mongol Saga” during the extent of his two months traveling across Europe and Mongolia.
DOUG OHLIN
CONTACT:
Doug Ohlin is a one-man mongol horde, laying seige daily to crime scenes and city council meetings across the land. With his magnesium-chassis Panasonic and his trusted avian companion, Crestor, Doug transforms mundane road construction stories into life altering retinal-cochlear gangbangs. With the astounding ability to rollerblade while filming, and an unhealthy disregard for personal well-being, he has pushed ever-forward on his personal quest to bring images of daily triumph and suffering to the masses. That, and his other personal quest…to get paid to go to Japan and make pretty pictures.
Fear not, little ones…for Doug Ohlin, Conquerer of Photons WILL come this night,
…and ye will be entertained.