“What To Know, Where to Play”
Block Party GJ is a student collaboration between the Advanced Media Writing class and the Advanced Photo Journalism class at Colorado Mesa University. We share stories about events, businesses and locations within the square mile radius of campus. If you have a comment or story idea, please feel free to reach out to us by emailing blockpartygj@gmail.com.
Editors
Hi, my name is Harumy Torres-Salgado, and I’m the editor for the Foodies beat this spring 2025! I’m a senior mass communication major at CMU. I grew up in Southern California but have lived in Grand Junction since I was 10 years old.
I’ve always been passionate about Grand Junction’s growing food culture whether it’s food trucks, local bakeries, or even speakeasies. If there’s one thing I know, it’s that food brings people together, and I am so excited to share that with my community.
In addition to my editorial work, I am a member of the Society of Hispanic Professional Engineers at CMU. Through this organization, I help coordinate community events that encourage students from underrepresented backgrounds to explore opportunities in STEM fields.
Hi there I’m Makenna and I’m the editor for the “In the Dirt” beat.
Originally born in Seattle, I relocated to Southern California in 2016 before settling in Grand Junction, where I’ve spent the last four years as a Mass Communications student and athlete at Colorado Mesa University.
At heart, I am an outdoor and travel enthusiast, you’ll either find me outside or halfway around the world. And I mean I am an enthusiast. If I am not at home working or playing tennis with the CMU women’s tennis team, I’m either hiking, biking, skydiving, climbing, rafting, fishing, camping, or wherever else “In The Dirt”.
With this passion and education, I have turned adventure into a pursuit of all sorts of things. I have worked as a writer and photographer for The Criterion, launched my own marketing business called Kenna Travels Media, and even took the corporate route last year, working in sales at a fintech company in Seattle. Having been to 10 countries so far, I hope to make a career out of traveling the world one day!
Hello all! My name is Daniel Severyn (and my cat Simba), and I am the Tourism editor here at BlockPartyGJ.
I was born in Seoul, South Korea, was adopted, and was raised in Denver until I moved to college in Grand Junction. I am a junior in Mass Communications, excited to continue my education until graduation.
I have always been one for traveling and exploration. Being able to write about the many amazing adventures and cultures that Grand Junction has to offer is something I love. As someone who has traveled countless times, I feel as though I have an excellent grasp of what people need to look out for when traversing the world.
Hello, my name is Stone Quinn, and I am the editor for “The Local Lineup.” I was born and raised here in Grand Junction and love the town. I am currently a Senior in Mass Communication with a Minor in Sports Management, and I cannot wait to start traveling the world.
Being the beat editor of “The Local Lineup” is something I take pride in as I am a true die-hard sports fan. And when I say this, I mean all sports, it doesn’t matter what the popularity is, if it’s fun, I’m there.
I especially love the sports community in Grand Junction, with one of my favorite events ever being the JUCCO World Series. I cannot wait to dive into the professional sports world after I graduate.
Photographers
(Top to bottom, left to right – Juliana Bomark, Courtney Havel, Adelaide Martinsen, Megan Pierce, Gemma Redeker, Emmerson Rezoski, Justin Shaw, Westin Winter, Justin Willis).
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