Allen Flame Staff

Brielle Atwell - Student Reporter 

Brielle Atwell is a freshman at Allen Community College and graduated from Peculiar, Missouri. Atwell came to Allen looking to complete her associate's degree in communications while continuing her athletic career for the women’s soccer team.

Atwell’s goal is to stay around soccer, looking forward to working for the KC Current Communications team after her time at Allen.

When Atwell has free time, she likes to spend quality time with her friends. Whether it’s fishing or watching a movie, Atwell can usually be found in a social setting surrounded by friends.

Gabriel Nunez - Student Reporter

Gabriel Nunez is a sophomore here at Allen Community College who has transferred from Newman University in Wichita, Kansas. He is here on a men's soccer scholarship as the starting goalkeeper. Nunez’s Major is in Communications, and as of this year, he is minoring in graphic design.

In Nunez’s future, he wants to be a coach as he loves the sport of soccer and loves working with and communicating with people. He also plans to travel to different locations upon completing his college, such as Africa and different parts of Asia, including China and Thailand.

Nunez spends his free time staying active with his friends and working on and listening to music. Nunez also plays the drums and piano.

Samantha Ludvicek - Online Student Reporter

Samantha Ludvicek is a senior at Allen Community College and a graduate of Seaman Highschool in Topeka, Kansas.

Ludvicek came to Allen through a program from the Community Action Head Start for early childhood education. After completing her Certificate in Early Childhood Education, she continued on to complete her Associate’s degree in Communication.  Ludvicek will complete her degree at the end of the Fall 2025 semester, with a goal of going into something human resources related in the future.

This is Ludvicek’s first time as a reporter for any kind of newspaper, and she is excited to learn, grow, and spread information to the readers of the Allen Flame.

Ludvicek was born and raised in Topeka, KS and has recently become married to start a family of her own with her and her three fur-babies.

Marisa Sawyer – Online Student Reporter

Marisa Sawyer is a sophomore at Allen Community College. She is working towards an Associate's degree in Business Administration and Communications. She previously graduated from Washburn Rural High School and chose Allen because of its flexible programs that allow her balance school, work, and family life.

Sawyer’s plan after graduation is to pursue a Bachelor's degree in Communications. She currently works in the home service industry, where she trains and coaches customer service representatives on communication skills. She wants to keep growing in the field academically and professionally.

Although Sawyer’s major isn’t specifically journalism, the Allen Flame provides her with opportunity to strengthen her communication skills in new ways. She also enjoys writing, storytelling, and connecting with people. She believes she can bring a strong, real-world perspective to the staff.

Outside of school, Sawyer is a wife and mother of three children, which keeps her very busy, but she feels it is very rewarding. In her free time, she loves traveling with her family, visiting national parks and zoos. Sawyer is excited to a part of the Allen Flame and contribute to sharing stories that matter to the Allen community.

Antonio Smith - Online Student Reporter

Antonio M. Smith is a sophomore at Allen County Community College. He graduated from Topeka High School in 2012 in Topeka, Kansas, where he was born and raised. Smith is now majoring in English, aiming to earn an associate degree in the same field. He has always been passionate about writing and creating content that interests him personally.

After finishing school, Smith plans to find a job that best suits his writing skills. Because of his deep admiration for fantasy, fiction, and nonfiction worlds, he also has a lifelong dream of someday writing novels and becoming an author.

During the day, Smith cares for his elderly grandfather, striving to make each day better than the last. While he has a vivid imagination, Smith also has a good sense of humor and can talk about anything. His grandfather believes he has a gift for the written word and for setting scenes, and he thinks Antonio can bring all that to The Flame and more.

Marquee Williams - Online Student Reporter

Marquee Williams is currently a sophomore at Allen County Community College. Williams graduated from Ridgeview Highschool in Jasonville Florida. He came to Allen for baseball and loved the school.

Willaims is currently a communication major, and if baseball doesn't work out, Williams plan on being a social media manager for a professional MLB team.

Other than that, Williams is a cool person who loves music and baseball. He is a very big on family and always seems to be in a good mood. Williams likes to work out and play video games in his free time.

Gabriel Nunez - Student Reporter

Gabriel Nunez is a sophomore at Allen. He graduated from Salina South High School and is now at Allen to continue pursuing soccer. After this year Nunez is looking to move to a 4-year school where he can continue playing soccer and finish his communications degree.

This is Nunez's first year with the flame, and he joined because he thinks journalism is an important part of every community. Nunez loves learning about obscure history and is hoping to travel to his 4th continent this winter.

Rylie Olsen - Student Reporter

Rylie Olson is a freshman at Allen. She graduated from Iola High School and chose Allen because it’s close to home and affordable. After Allen, she is looking at going to a 4-year school to work toward her degree in journalism.

This is Olsen's first year with the Flame. She joined not only because journalism is important, but the way the media plays its role in everything as well. In her free time, she likes to spend it hanging out with friends, family, watching movies, taking pictures, all while working full time as a CNA and being a full-time student.

Missy Turner - Student Reporter

Melissa Turner (Missy Turner) is a sophomore at ALLEN, from Iola, KS. In high school, she was editor-in-chief of her school publication. She graduated from the Iola High School in 1996. Through the years, her poetry has been published in Kansas State Petals and global magazines.

Turner returned to Allen to obtain a pharmacy tech certification as well as an associates in general studies. Turner has a passion for helping people and ensuring they are safe. In Turner’s downtime, she makes crafts for the residents of nursing homes.

Alex Simpson - Allen Flame Editor / Sponsor

Alex Simpson has a passion for writing with an English degree from Drury University. Alex has taught composition for several colleges in Missouri, Oklahoma, and Kansas before joining Allen as a full-time employee in 2020.

Alex grew up in Southwest Missouri, near Springfield, MO. He’s a veteran of the armed services and has live most of his adult life in Springfield, MO. In 2020, Alex took an advising job at Allen Community College after his wife took a teaching job at Allen. He has since spent his time in Iola, building a new life in this unique area.

Aybrei Jacobs - Student Reporter

Aybrei Jacobs is a freshman at Allen County Community College and a graduate from Yates Center High School in Yates Center, Kansas.

Jacobs came to Allen on a cheer and dance scholarship. Her current major is in communications, and she hopes one day to attend a 4-year university.

Jacobs enjoys cheering and dancing, and in her free time, she also listens to a variety of music, and loves to hang-out with her friends.

Lea Parker - Student Reporter

Léa Parker is a freshman at Allen County Community College. Parker graduated from Mission Valley High School in Eskridge Kansas. Parker first attended Allen online, before coming to the Iola Campus to finish her degree. Parker is currently dual majoring in Criminal Justice and Psychology.

After Allen, Parker will be attending either Emporia State University or University of Nebraska-Lincoln. Parker wants to specialize in Forensic Psychology.

Parker joined the Allen Flame because she loves to write. She has a lot of different views on things but can also set aside my personal opinions.

Fun Fact: Parker loves unique animals and has three hermit crabs and an African House Snake. One of hermit crabs is 10 and the other two are 3. Their names are Teeny, Biggie(short for Biggie Smalls) and Pac (short for Tupac). Parker’s snake is named Frankie.

Anabeth Ratzlaff, Student Contributor

Anabeth Ratzlaff is a Sophomore at Allen Community College, and she is majoring in graphic design. Ratzlaff graduated from Ingalls High School in Ingalls, Kansas.

Ratzlaff joined the Allen Flame as a Student Contributor because writing is a passion for her and there is always a chance to learn something new while writing about it. After Allen, Ratzlaff has two possible career paths that she follow. Ratzlaff could either further her education or she could adventure out into the real world and start a formal work experience. Though, in her future, Ratzlaff dreams using her graphic desing degree to design movie posters for big corporations or end up doing freelance work.

Art has alway been important to Ratzlaff. She spent her entire high school life in the art room of her high school. Yet, along with art, Ratzlaff decided to give writing a try and ended up falling in love with it. She spends her free time working on her various writing projects and perfecting them all. Another thing Ratzlaff loves to do is explore the town around her, never knowing when she might find a hidden gem.

Ratzlaff is excited to write for the Allen Flame because it can help her in her own writing. Being a member of The Allen Flame writing team means a chance to write about what she loves and gives her an opportunity to share her passion with others.

Madison Swink - Student Reporter

Madison Swink is a freshman at Allen County Community College. Swink graduated from Marmaton Valley High school in Moran, Kansas.

Swink came to Allen to further her education. She is currently undecided on her major, but Swink is leaning towards majoring in English. Swink hopes to continue her studies at a 4-year university.

Swink joined the Allen Flame staff because she has always enjoyed writing and being creative. Furthermore, she heard about the Allen Flame scholarship and decided to take advantage of the opportunity.

In her free time, Swink enjoys reading, being outside, and spending time with her animals.

Alyssa Winsler - Student Reporter

Alyssa Winsler is a freshman at Allen Community College. She graduated from Santa Fe Trail High School in Carbondale, KS.

Winsler is majoring in History Education. After Allen Community College, she plans to attend a four-year university and plans to get back into sports.

Winsler joined the Flame staff because she has taken and enjoyed journalism classes before, and because she heard about the scholarship that is offered to those who join the Flame staff.

In her free time, Winsler enjoys wrestling and fishing. Additionally, Winsler holds a degree in welding.