Thank you to our current and former contributors at
Overlooked in Appalachia!
Overlooked in Appalachia Non-Student Administration
Kate Trabalka
Publisher and Advisor
Kate Trabalka is the publisher and advisor to Overlooked in Appalachia. Ms. Trabalka is a journalism lecturer in the Department of Media Communication at East Tennessee State University.
Overlooked in Appalachia Student Team Members
Meet The Team
Marisa is a senior and the editor for Overlooked in Appalachia. She studies Media and Communications with a minor in Journalism. Her biggest passions are writing, movies and discovering new music. Marisa loves Overlooked because it helps her learn, understand and appreciate the beauty of the region that is Appalachia.
Abigail Wolfenbarger is a senior Media and Communications student at ETSU. She has grown up enjoying the beauty of the East Tennessee mountains, which formed her love for nature, camping and all types of animals. The Appalachian Region also inspires her passion for writing stories and poetry; she looks forward to sharing this interest in her articles for the magazine.
Madison is a Junior pursuing a degree in Media and Communications with a double minor in Journalism and Digital marketing. She is from Knoxville, Tennessee, and she is interested in social media and content creation. She is a returning contributor, and is excited to see what this semester with Overlooked will bring.
Jeniffer is a Senior at East Tennessee State University. She is majoring in Media and Communications, minoring in Advertising and Digital Marketing. Jeniffer is excited to be working with the design team this semester for Overlooked in Appalachia.
Hello! My name is Margaret Lambert, and I am a senior studying Media and Communications here at ETSU. I have dedicated my major to studying public relations. In the future, I would like to use my skills in the music industry. I am currently a lab student for Overlooked in Appalachia, and most of my involvement is based around social media work.
Treasure moved to Jonesborough at age four and has lived in East Tennessee ever since. She attended David Crockett High School, and now majors in media and communications at ETSU. Treasure minors in women’s, gender, and sexuality studies, and hopes to combine her knowledge with her training from the RTVF department for nonprofit and charitable work after graduating this Spring.
Gabriella is a second year studying English and journalism. She loves exploring different cultures worldwide, and so far, she has been to eight other countries. On campus, she is a photographer for East Tennesean and a freelance writer/photographer for Slocumb Galleries and Tipton Gallery. She is looking forward to being part of Overlooked Appalachia.
Hello, my name is Emma Grayce Robinson. I am currently a senior here at ETSU and a Media Communications major. I am in love with working with social media and the analytics with it and I enjoy making tik toks in my free time. One of the joys in my life is going to Disney World with my boyfriend of five years every year. I am so excited to work with Overlooked In Appalachia because they are covering rich history which I love.
Flannery is a junior Media and Communications major with a double minor in Educational Foundations and Technical and Professional Writing. She is from Western North Carolina, and in her free time, she likes to hang out with her friends, watch movies, and check out local businesses. She is excited to contribute to Overlooked for the first time!
Jillian is a senior pursuing a major in Media and Communications and a minor in Digital Marketing. She plans to work in advertising and public relations in the future, but in the meantime, focuses on her studies, raising her puppy, and involvement in the Marching Bucs and ETSU Concert Band. She is honored to work with Overlooked in Appalachia this semester!
Hello, my name is Lakie Derrick, and I am a senior at East Tennessee State University. I am a Media and Communication major and double minor in political science and American Sign Language. I was born and raised in Kingsport, Tennessee, and I love that I grew up in the heart of Appalachia. I am a highly active member of the ETSU community, and I look forward to graduating and getting involved in political strategy. In my free time, I enjoy reading, being outside, writing poetry, or talking politics. And–saving the best for last–I am a Christian who is beyond thankful for her relationship with Jesus.
My name is Nicole Odom and I am a Media and Communications major concentrating in Radio, TV, and Film with a minor in Sociology. I am a Johnson City native, so I have a deep love for Appalachia and its hidden wonders. In my free time, I make jewelry, crochet, and take care of my cats. I am also an activist and have a long-term goal of ending homelessness in our region. I chose Overlooked in Appalachia with the hope that I can help illustrate the many beauties and wonders hidden in these mountains and tell the stories of the people that helped create them.
My name is Rebecca Higgins. I am a Media and Communications major with a minor in Digital Marketing. Some of my hobbies and interests include traveling, photography, writing, sports, fashion and more. I grew up moving from place to place and traveling constantly, giving me the opportunity to engage with new cultures and learn/see many new things. With that being said, I have developed these hobbies and interests creating a passion for photography, writing and traveling which is why I decided to go the Media and Communications route. I chose Overlooked in Appalachia for a media lab job because I have a lot of experience with graphics, writing and social media. Last year I was the director of Social Media and Marketing for my sorority Kappa Delta. Being in that position helped me realize I loved creating content, marketing events/the sorority and more. Overlooked seemed very similar and I wanted to have the opportunity to be a part of the team.
Sammy is a senior at ETSU studying Media and Communication with a minor in Digital Marketing, and serves as Social Media Editor for Overlooked in Appalachia. They are from Oak Ridge, Tennessee, and have grown up cultivating a deep appreciation for the Tri-cities/Appalachian region. Sammy is particularly passionate about breaking stereotypes around Appalachia, its culture and people. She gives tours on campus as an Expedition Leader, and enjoys spending her free time checking out local restaurants and businesses, hanging out with their friends, and listening to music.
Kris is a Senior at ETSU. A 2018 graduate of Morristown-Hamblen West High School in Morristown, Tennessee, he majors in Media and Communication and has a minor in English. His favorite activities are watching sports and hanging out with friends in his free time. He looks forward to writing feature stories for Overlooked in Appalachia.
Josh Clark
I'm Josh Clark, a Media and Communications major at ETSU. I'm a senior this year. I was originally from Michigan, but my family moved to Rogersville, Tennessee back in 2008
Connor Lute is a junior studying media and communication with a focus in public relations. He is pursuing four minors: advertising, journalism, technical & professional writing, and digital marketing.
Connor is the 2023-2024 executive editor for the East Tennessean and began writing for the publication in 2022 as an arts and entertainment reporter. During his time as a reporter, he covered stories ranging from the grand opening of the Martin Center's Broadway Series and a variety of local events. Outside of the East Tennessean, Connor works in ETSU’s Marketing and Communications department.
After Connor graduates, he plans on beginning his career in public relations and later to pursue a master’s in strategic communications. His career goal is to work corporate communications for a globally-recognized company.
Former Contributors
Spring 2023
Marisa Sardonia
Abby Herndon
Abigail Wolfenbarger
Madison McAlister
Mahayla Waldrop
Jade Owens
Kayliee Young
Jordan Burgess
Jeniffer Lu
Nikki Chambers
Bridget Leary
Jacob Orr
Hannah Peters
Abbey Bentley
Fall 2022
Elizabeth Swanson
Olivia Preshong
Caleb Key
Janin Hernandez
Abbey Bentley
Olivia Perry
Jaymee Woodmore
Remi Chartier
Alexandra Daub
Abby Herndon
Isiah Quaintance
Kaitlyn Thomas
Bailey Wynn
Anna Adelfang
Jacob Orr
Joshua Boone
Fall 2020
Casey Keeley
Kayla Hackney
Kate Trabalka
Allison Winters
Spring 2020
Hannah Wallace
Laura Chrisman
Paige Hill
Kirsty McCaughtry
Michaela Platt
Fall 2023
Marisa Sardonia
August Crofts
Abigail Wolfenbarger
Gabriella Collins
Jeniffer Lu
Jordan Burgess
Kacy Craddock
Spring 2022
Elizabeth Swanson
Karaline Baley
Sterling Stone
Maris Rennolds
Will Holcombe
Olivia Preshong
Seth Dunham
Katie Jenkins
Caleb Key
Neyland Kilpatrick
Chandler Bradley
Mia Bertani
Elizabeth "Lily" Edwards
Janin Hernandez
Spring 2021
Casey Keeley
Atlantis Warren
Kayla Hackney
Kate Trabalka
Allison Winters
Hannah Brooks
Alisha Lakhani
Fall 2019
Alex Daugherty
Keriann Lane
Victoria Marion
Rachael Swidan
Morgan Holland
Sarah Judkins
Jamey Vicars
Laura Chrisman
Jeremiah Pearson
Cole Sams
Matt Peace
Carly Tribble
Andrew Diggs
Elizabeth "Lily" Edwards
Jonathan Walker
Jonathan Roberts
Paige Hill
Sydney Wright
Kaitlyn Thomas
Lakie Derrick
Leah Smith
Madison McAlister
Margaret Lambert
Sammy Asbury
Treasure Lee