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The student news site of C. M. Russell High School

Rustler News
The student news site of C. M. Russell High School

Rustler News

Junior reporter prepares to head to Washington D.C. to represent Montana

Sofia Wayne, staff writer
April 24, 2025
Junior reporter prepares to head to Washington D.C. to represent Montana

Junior Malena Gangi was chosen to represent the state of Montana in Washington D.C. at the Al Neuharth Free Spirit and Journalism Conference, which takes place June 22-27. The annual conference includes panels discussing topics like Photojournalism and Media Ethics, tours of the city, behind the scenes of newsrooms and much more. 

She will be one of 51 students – one from each state and the District of Columbia – at the conference, representing Montana. She is the president of CMR’s Newspaper Club alongside Maddy Osterman.

Gangi recently won first place in news photography and sports event writing and third place in feature photography at the UM High School Journalism Day.

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About the Contributor
Sofia Wayne
Sofia Wayne, Newspaper Staff
Sofia Wayne is a freshman at Charles M. Russell High School, class of 2028. She is involved in Newspaper club and Art club, and she wrestles for CMR. Her favorite class is English because she enjoys reading and writing, also joining the newspaper club for that same reason. She’s a fan of the Dallas Stars and Texas Christian University Horned Frogs. She’s been living in Great Falls since August after moving from Fort Worth, Texas, where she lived her whole life. She is a cat lover, and she has three cats – Poonie, Chunky and Nancy – and two dogs, Winston and Harper. She likes to write about the sports that go on at CMR, teachers, and other school events. Her favorite food is homemade chicken gumbo, and her favorite drink is coconut Dr Pepper or Diet Coke. She enjoys country music like Chris Stapleton, Zach Bryan, Flatland Cavalry or other artists like Mazzy Star, Beabadoobee, Fiona Apple and Esha Tewari. Her favorite movies are “The Wizard of Oz”, “I, Tonya”, “Guardians of the Galaxy vol. 2”. Her favorite television show is “Community” or “Elementary” and her favorite color is pink. Wayne is hoping to begin the path to becoming an elementary teacher, wanting to work with first or second graders after college, hoping to either go to Texas A&M or a Montana school. She is excited to continue her journey in Journalism and continue to work on her reporting skills.