The Tacoma Ledger is the independent weekly collegiate newspaper of the University of Washington Tacoma. All content is generated by Ledger-employed student journalists currently enrolled at UWT. The Ledger strives to adhere to student interests and local news. UWT Administration, student organizations, and students and clubs exercise no editorial control over the publication. Funding is provided through the UW Tacoma Services and Activities Fee and supplemented by advertising revenue.

Our Mission Statement: The Tacoma Ledger is committed to presenting high-quality student news to inform and engage with the University of Washington Tacoma community. We strive to represent student voices while creating a professional environment in which student writers can hone their journalism skills and express themselves.  

EDITORS

Karla Pastrana – Editor-in-Chief 

Karla Santiago Pastrana (she/her) is a senior who is majoring in Writing Studies. As a first-gen Chicana she strives to help her community in any way she can through community services, advocating, and representation. When she isn’t editing for the Ledger, buried in classwork, or with the community she is writing creatively, drawing, working on cosplay, or running around downtown Seattle.   

Elissa Blankenship – Managing Editor

Elissa Blankenship is a senior at UWT and is working on her Bachelor of Arts degree in Communication. She is a creative nature writer who writes about hikes with her dogs and life on her farm, whenever she is not researching information about Silkie chickens or networking in animal rescue to rehome a rare dog breed. She looks forward to connecting with students, staff and faculty of UWT and reporting community and environmental stories.   

Jamenson Aleman – Opinion Editor 

For Jamenson Aleman, every story is a window into the human spirit. As a former staff writer for The Pinnacle at Pierce College, he’s learned that everyone has something important to say. Whether he’s lost in a good book or unraveling a philosophical question, Jamenson draws on his love of history, theology, philosophy and writing to discover the truths that shape our daily lives. Now pursuing a Bachelor’s degree in Writing Studies after earning an Associate of Art from Pierce College, he is more determined than ever to share stories that challenge, inspire, and connect us all.

Rachel Meatte – A&E Editor 

Rachel Meatte (she/her) is a senior at UWT majoring in film with an undergraduate in writing. She is passionate about telling meaningful stories that move people. Her goal is to write and direct her own films one day. In her spare time when she’s not juggling work and school, she is helping at the Tacoma Buddhist Temple or walking dogs at the Pierce County Humane Society as a volunteer. She enjoys hiking, playing chess and walking her dogs.  

 

 
 

MANAGERS 

David Esguerra- Ad Manager 

David Esguerra is our Advertising Manager at the Ledger! Born in the Philippines and raised around the world – from Ayase, Japan to Naples, Italy – David now calls Bremerton, WA home. He’s currently studying Communications with a minor in Global Engagement at UW Tacoma. Passionate about photography and news, David hopes to pursue a future in media production as he starts with working on the Tacoma Ledger’s team!

 

Zecret Truex – Layout/Content Manager  

Zecret Truex is a Senior at UWT majoring in Arts, Media and Culture. With an extensive background in artistry she earned her Associate’s degree in Fine Arts from Green River College where she found a passion for oil painting. Zecret is a successful commission painter and also enjoys doing special effects makeup, sculpting, theatre prop design and content creation. In addition to the arts, she is a skin care specialist and licensed esthetician. When she is able to master the balance of school/work and designing content layouts for The Ledger, she spends her free time with her family, enjoys nature, hiking, traveling, and a good book paired with good wine. 

Justen Bertelsen- Content Assistant

NEWS 

 Michaela Ely – News Reporter

Michaela Ely is a senior at UWT majoring in Writing Studies with the hope of beginning a Master’s in Education next summer. She hopes to eventually teach high school English and drive more students to appreciate the subject. When she isn’t working, researching, or writing, she spends a lot of time reading, trying new flavors in matcha lattes and hiking around the state.

OPINION 

 Jake Boyette- Opinion Columnist

 

ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT 

 

Michael Doyle – A&E Columnist  

Michael Doyle is a Senior majoring in Communications and pursuing a career in journalism. He was born and raised in Tacoma. He enjoys covering local bands, pop culture, and small businesses after previously working in the News section for the Ledger. When he is not working or doing schoolwork, he enjoys songwriting and attending concerts.

DESIGN/ART 
 

Tailynn Le – Illustrator 

Parker Nelson – Photographer

Parker Nelson is currently a Junior at UWT majoring in Computer Science. Outside of school, he is a street and documentary photographer. Photography has always been in his blood, as many people in his family were photographers. For him, it is a way of expressing his thoughts and views. He found that visual storytelling speaks to him because of how powerful it is to capture people or moments in time. So, instead, he picked up a camera and hasn’t put it down since.