Meet Our Writers!

Paul Eulette
United States

Born in the ’80s in Manhattan & raised in Georgia as a Southern child of the “Feel Good” and “Participation” awards in the ’90s – I am less likely to boast, due to my realization that my generation (especially in America) has a little too much expectation of recognition of their “accomplishments.”

As a First-Generation-American from a family of Jamaicans, I am able to see our generation as an intertwined, interpersonal and international unit that most of my peers tend to disallow as reality.

I take this perspective into my personal and professional life – combining my unique outlook and background with my degree in Human Communication/Minor in Journalism to reach not only specific audiences – but to reach my main personal goal of bringing awareness through humanitarian efforts.

Meggie Hulsey
United States

I am what you would call the typical black sheep of my family. From a predominantly conservative and religious household came a blond-haired, green-eyed child that managed to become none of those things. However, from these Southern roots, I have managed to obtain attributes like compassion, loyalty and a spunkiness that may be mistaken for attitude.

As a child of 1984, an Aquarius and a Rat in the Chinese Zodiac, there were certain pop cultural aspects that must have contributed to the person I am today. Shoulder pads were an essential part of one’s wardrobe, “Amadeus” won the Oscar® for best picture and Prince had a number one hit on the radio.

So naturally, this has already predetermined my personality to one that has a sense for spontaneity, a dedication to a craft, and exuding a charismatic nature that could even charm the pants off a nudist.

But for safety’s sake to new readers, the real me is a girl with an off-the-wall sense of humor that is desperately searching for la pura vida and only wishes that I could possess half of Prince’s dance moves.

Russell Michael: Entertainment
London/South Africa

I am an entrepreneur, songwriter, producer and multi-instrumentalist who grew up in South Africa around the end of Apartheid, now living in London. I am currently establishing a new music business model through my MySpace profile (www.myspace.com/russellmichael) that aims to deliver new product on an almost weekly basis, along with other non-musical (yet very creative) business ventures.

In addition to singing, playing guitar, bass, and drums, I am a classically-trained Violinist and Pianist who favors works by Chopin and Bach. When not making music or being an entrepreneur, I watch too many movies (at the Cinema – ain’t nothin’ like it!) and just generally watches the evolution of popular culture.

Shannon Mullings: Entertainment
Jamaica

Born in 1985 in Kingston, Jamaica, I came into the world kicking and screaming and 24 years later, is still as loud and opinionated as ever! The middle child sandwiched between an older brother and younger sister – I have channeled my middle-child angst into art and writing. Throughout my years in Jamaica I wrote several poems, short stories and won awards for my poetry and photography.

After graduating from high school at 16, I spent a year working for a Jamaican Newspapers Online publication, The Gleaner Online as a reporter and photographer. After only a year, I worked at a radio station alongside their marketing team. After my 18th birthday, I decided to migrate to Florida to continue my education and enrolled at FAU, where I am finishing up my degree in Media and Communication.

Witty, educated, talented (and most importantly equipped with a strong Jamaican accent), I have decided on a career in entertainment reporting and working with QuarterLife Magazine!

Chef Nathan Lippy: Food
United States

Raised in Tampa, Fla., I fell in love with the “Beach Life.” I grew up eating “Floribbean” Cuisine (Imagine good ole’ southern fried cooking with tons of fresh fish and fruit).  Home-schooled from junior high school through my senior year, I had a lot of free time. I would spend hours a day playing my guitar until mom would come home from work, and then we would spend hours playing in the kitchen. I started to understand the kitchen and the valuable purpose of a good cook when I was about 8 years old.

I began my education at the illustrious Culinary Institute of America in October of 2000. My culinary paradigm was forever changed in one day. I moved to NYC after graduation in late 2004 into a tiny apartment in Harlem. I started working in the nicest restaurants I could to broaden my knowledge of the NYC scene.  I have so much respect for the chefs I have worked for and the achievements they have attained. In that process, I have found where my passion for food is. I began to think, “How can I rock out and cook at the same time?”, “How can I bring people together and have a great time as a career!?” I think I figured it out…or at least I almost have. I suppose the journey from here will be my greatest yet. I can’t wait to see what happens next.

Alexandria Lorenzana: Arts, Culture & Travel
United States

Al•ex•an•dri•a Lo•ren•za•na (a-lig-ˈzan-drē-ə lôrˈĕnˈzä-nä) n.
1. writer. What can I say? Creative writing was my strongest subject. Besides, what else am I going to do with a Communications degree?
2. artist. Painting. Photography. Coloring books (yes, I am in my 20s and own a box of Crayola® crayons). You name it. I credit my creativity to an obsession with color stemmed from growing up in a decade of Rainbow Brite, Punky Brewster and DayGlo.
3. foodie. So what have I eaten? Well, what you should really ask is what haven’t I eaten? Thanks to a Filipino/American/Global Nomadic background, my taste buds have acquired a universal taste. Disgustingly rare steak? Fantastic. Fish for breakfast? Even better. Pork stewed in its own blood? Perfection.
4. traveler. To date, I have lived in three continents, four countries, six states, and thirteen cities…and counting. Please don’t ask me where I’m from because well, as that list shows, I wouldn’t know what to tell you. When I’m not busy planning my next move, you can find me en route via road trip, plane ride, or the occasional outdoor adventure. Just call me Carmen Sandiego.

Danielle Shuey: International Social Awareness
United States

1986 was an important year, not just because my parents had just moved to Illinois from Spain after time in the Coast Guard and I was born…but because of several historical occurrences: the disaster at Chernobyl, the Challenger Space Shuttle Tragedy and the presidency of the late Ronald Reagan.
I will not pretend to have a PhD in Economics, but many Americans associate the Reagan years with economic prosperity and wealth. While I like “making it rain” as much as the next person, the significance of this period of time is that “living in excess” became the norm and not the exception. Now we’re fatter, lazier, richer in “things” and lacking in compassion. And today, we live in a world where getting the most up-to-date iPod is more important to us than the well-being of our neighbors in our own communities.

That being said, at 22 and just graduated from Clemson University; I’ve moved back to Charleston, S.C. and I’m currently employed as a server at a downtown restaurant. I’m living with my parents for the time being, partly to save money but also to give me time to figure out the next step.
I’m an unusual sort of person…hopefully my sense of humor will translate and not be mistaken for arrogance, ignorance, hypocrisy or anything else with a bad connotation.

David Borron: Columnist
United States

Born in Nebraska, I came bounding for the south at a ripe age of 3. I was blessed to be raised in a family that had no qualms in expressing ideas and opinions. This always made for fun discussions around the dinner table. Growing up in South Carolina did not do anything to deter my opinions; I just learned how to refine the art of tact. One of my many philosophies in life is to be brutally honest with people but tell them in way they will listen with an open heart and mind.

One of my guilty pleasures in life is sarcasm with a twist of light-hearted crude humor. Laughing is essential in this lifetime and I plan to do as much as I can. I also have a penchant for traveling. There is nothing better than being able to let yourself go for a week while be immersed in a different city or culture. Rounding out my favorites are college football, tailgating, and summertime lake trips.

Wojtek Witkowski: Technology
Poland

Yo! I’m Wojtek – at the age of 16, I am the youngest of the Quarterlife Mag writers! I am the “techy” geek from Poland, and I <3 Macs. I know all things about Mac and iPhones…like everything. I’m pretty much an Apple lover in general – but PCs are very cool too.

Other than that, I am really good at Photoshop editing, web design and graphic design. In my free time, I do freelance designing; mostly graphics and PHP-based websites. I’m still pretty much a n00b in WordPress – but that will change soon.

After HS, I would really like to study at MIT…if I get accepted! In the distant future, when I’m 30 or something, I want to be a web or graphic designer and really want to contribute to the online-society by making Web 3.0 sites rock out.

Outside of the geeky stuff – I play electric guitar, love listening to rock & metal and I skateboard a lot.

K that’s it.

Justin Evans: Politics
United States

Graduated Mayo High School for Math, Science, and Technology in 2002. Graduated Clemson University in 2006 with a degree in Political Science.

Environmental Issues, Department of Transportation, SC Budget and Control Board Policy Advisor to Governor Mark Sanford – Research Associate at the South Carolina Policy Council

I like politics, policy, and analyzing both. I’m about as conservative as they come when it comes to analyzing policy and politics. Hopefully my perspective will give you some insight and understanding of what’s going right, and wrong, with the world today…

Jenna Wessinger: Politics
United States

Jenna here! A quirky blonde with Southern roots who enjoys long walks on a beach, knitting, aaaand trees.  Okay, none of those are true…Haha, I actually hate sand (it gets everywhere!).

In all seriousness, I’m a recent graduate of Clemson University, also known as the Harvard of the South (really just to Clemson grads). Gooo Tigers! I was born and raised in the small suburban town of Goose Creek, South Carolina of which there are no geese, and no creek…the fun stops there my friends.

I have been a political fan since the ripe old age of…seven. My second grade teacher, Mrs. Abrams, passed around our Weekly Reader (anyone remember those), and it was completely centered on the current election between George H.W. Bush and William J. Clinton.

That was it. I was hooked. I was the child who didn’t care about TGIF programming on Fridays but instead looked forward to the Friday night edition of “20/20” with Hugh Downs and Barbara Walters (Babs is my homegirl). So here I am today, a 24-year-old IT Consultant in Atlanta, Ga. I read political analysis books for fun and check the CNN political ticker like it’s my job (it isn’t btw).

Dodd Hulsey: Business/Finance
United States

Being born in 1981, I am probably the old man of the group (though sometimes I may not act like it). With the end of my “quarterlife” coming up, I hope to give those approaching theirs’ some helpful insight to living and working in a business climate like no generation before us.

Born in Charleston, S.C. and grew up in a small town called “Round O” about an hour south. I graduated from Clemson University with a degree in Finance and Real Estate with a minor in Psychology. I have returned to my home in the South Carolina Lowcountry where I work for a small community bank as a loan officer and in branch management. For me, I cannot think of a better place to work and do business, from the Southern-elite downtown on the Charleston peninsula, to the sea islands like Sullivan’s, Kiawah, and Edisto, to all the farms and small towns headed south along the Carolina coast.

Feel free to follow or ask any questions you may have @ Twitter, LinkedIn, and of course, here at QuarterLife Magazine.

Blake Sunshine: Business

A Public Relations graduate from The University of Texas in Austin and media relations and social media employee for National Instruments.

My expertise is in sharing my knowledge regarding Millennials, marketing and social media and the professional usage of these tools.

I also enjoy exploring Austin, being outdoors and learning new things! Please visit my professional blog “The Perennial Millennial”

Stewart Panton: Sports
Jamaica

Born and raised Jamaican, I am quite proud of the fact! I love Jamaica and I could not see myself living anywhere else. I graduated from one of the oldest High Schools in the Western Hemisphere – Wolmer’s Boy’s High School – a banner which I carry proudly (Age Quod Agis!).

If you are bored enough to want to find out exactly where in Jamaica I currently live, it is  “Spanish Town, Jamaica” (haha, yes, contrary to popular belief there exist other places in Jamaica besides Kingston, Negril and Montego Bay).

My position here at QuarterLife Magazine is International Sports Writer. Sports are a topic that I love to discuss. I consider myself quite the sports lover, and I watch and try to take part (keyword here is try) in numerous sporting activities.

I love football (both what Americans call soccer and American football), basketball, cricket, motorsports (especially motorsports) athletics, tennis, volleyball, and the list goes on.

So you can expect quite the list of different topics being covered under my banner. Next to sports, however, my interests lie in computers – I’m a real techie, music – I play Bass Guitar and of course love Reggae music, cars (hence my love of motorsports) and girls…clearly, the best thing God ever did for us guys!