Meet the eight journalists who have joined the Las Vegas Review-Journal newsroom as summer interns.
Four joined as metro-business reporting interns: Sophie Baker, Kalohe Danbara, Lucas Hellberg and Alex Streinger. Victor Azevedo and Ysabelle Sosa are video interns. Donovan Hicks is a sports reporting intern, and Marley Barboeisel is the photo intern.
“This year’s summer interns hail from both coasts and have studied at some of the best journalism schools in the country,” said Managing Editor Carri Geer Thevenot. “They distinguished themselves during a competitive application process, and each of them possesses the passion and curiosity necessary for a successful journalism career. We’re thrilled to have them in our newsroom and video studio.”
Sophie Baker
Baker joins the Review-Journal from Northwestern University, where she is a rising junior studying journalism and political science. Baker served as the city editor at The Daily Northwestern and covered politics in Washington for Northwestern’s Medill News Service.
She hails from Chicago and attended high school in Salt Lake City.
“I’m super excited to be at the RJ and learn more about the Las Vegas community,” said Baker. “I’m looking forward to telling stories that matter to readers and growing my reporting skills this summer.”
Kalohe Danbara
Danbara is a recent graduate of the Columbia University Graduate School of Journalism. She received her undergraduate degree in literature and writing from the University of California, San Diego.
Danbara is from Southern California and outside of writing, loves surfing, watching movies and trying new food spots and cooking.
“I look forward to immersing myself in local news, sharpening my storytelling and reporting skills, and learning more about Las Vegas,” Danbara said.
Lucas Hellberg
Hellberg is a rising junior at the University of Oregon, where he studies journalism and economics. He was previously a part-time intern at Lookout Eugene-Springfield, has contributed to The Oregonian and was a general assignment reporting intern at the East Oregonian last summer.
He was a finalist for the Society of Professional Journalists Mark of Excellence Awards and Hearst Journalism Awards in investigative reporting.
“I became a journalist because I’m curious about how decisions get made and who they affect,” Hellberg said. “What I enjoy most is untangling complex issues and helping people understand how the government, businesses and other institutions shape their daily lives.”
Alex Streinger
Streinger is a recent graduate of the Columbia University Graduate School of Journalism and completed his undergraduate degree at Stony Brook University, where he studied journalism and political science.
Streinger also covered local news in New York City and on Long Island during college. He is from New York.
“I’m excited to continue covering local news in another of the country’s busiest news markets,” Streinger said. “Working at the RJ is an ideal place to grow as a reporter.”
Donovan Hicks
Hicks was born and raised in Las Vegas and recently graduated from UNLV, where he received his bachelor’s degree in journalism and media studies with a focus in sports media and a minor in communications.
While at UNLV, he served as sports editor of the campus newspaper, The Scarlet & Gray Free Press, for the past two years.
“Having the opportunity to provide sports coverage in my hometown is something I have always dreamed of,” said Hicks. “The ability to paint pictures of historic moments for fans who weren’t able to attend a sporting event is special.”
Marley Barboeisel
Barboeisel is a rising senior at the University of Montana’s journalism school. Previously, he worked as a staff photographer and multimedia editor at UM’s student newspaper, Montana Kaimin, and was a photography intern for the university’s marketing and communications department.
This summer he is eager to cover sports, entertainment, environment and breaking news. When he is not working, he enjoys adventuring in the mountains and tinkering with his analog film cameras.
“I enjoy learning from and working with the staff photographers and editors, while experiencing and documenting the people and culture of Las Vegas,” said Barboeisel. “It is very inspiring to be working in a large, fast-paced newsroom at a time when many other operations are being forced to downsize or shut down altogether.”
Victor Azevedo
Azevedo is a master’s student in business and finance reporting at New York University and received his undergraduate degree in journalism from Cásper Líbero in São Paulo.
Azevedo previously worked as a fellow and reporter on CNN Brazil’s national news desk and later joined TV Globo, where he became a producer and editor for Globo Rural.
This summer he hopes to cover a range of topics, with an economic viewpoint, specifically when it comes to business, tourism and gaming.
“I believe video can make complex stories feel immediate and understandable,” said Azevedo. “I’m excited to be at the Review-Journal using that medium to explain the forces shaping Las Vegas and how the city, in turn, influences the broader U.S. economy and culture.”
Ysabelle Sosa
Sosa is a New York Times Corps member and a rising senior at the University of Oregon, where she studies broadcast journalism and Spanish.
In the future, she hopes to become a news anchor and great storyteller and “make it onto the screens of millions.”
“My short time at the Las Vegas Review-Journal has already been remarkable,” said Sosa. “I know this internship will prepare me for my future in broadcast journalism, so I can’t wait to see what I’ll achieve after my 10 weeks here.”
Contact Emerson Drewes at edrewes@reviewjournal.com. Follow @EmersonDrewes on X.
