As fall semester comes to a close at TCU, the 109 would like to take the opportunity to wish everyone a happy holiday season and introduce the staff who have reported in the 76109 this fall.

Tamadhar “Tooti” Almoayyad, is a TCU strategic communication major from Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. Tooti won a Silver Sail Award from the 109 this semester for her outstanding work in social media engagement.

She said she loves being entertainment editor because the job matches her fun and outgoing personality.

Connie Beltran is a TCU journalism major from Lewisville, Texas, who likes writing about people.

“I believe everybody has an interesting story to tell, and I like to find what that is,” she said. “I like writing for the 109, because I have the freedom to say what I want to write about. It also gives me an opportunity to learn more about the area where I live.”

Jose “Joey” Galarza, the 109’s cultural arts reporter, is a TCU strategic communication major. Formerly from Montgomery, Illinois, Galarza loves reading classical literature.

Karen Gavis, editor-in-chief, lives in Arlington, Texas. A transplant from southeast Missouri, she has enjoyed getting to know the people in the community, exploring the 76109 and absorbing the area’s distinct architecture.

Tuyen Hoang is a TCU journalism major from Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam. Hoang enjoys writing about a variety of subjects. Writing for the 109, she said, has forced her out of her comfort zone.

“I can’t think of any other place at TCU that I am able to gain hands-on experiences of community journalism than with the 109,” she said. “Also, I treasure the worthwhile support that I receive.”

Hayley Zablotsky hails from El Dorado Hills in northern California. Since graduating from high school, she has worked in New Zealand, interned at an art museum and worked as a professional princess.

Hayley is double majoring in writing and strategic communication at TCU. She said writing for the 109 has allowed her to become familiar with Fort Worth and those who call it home. When not writing, she “enjoys driving with the windows down, painting her toes cranberry red and drinking tea.”

As 2014 comes to an end, we are reminded of the joy each of us had being part of the 109 community. From all of us to all of you, happy holidays.