My Rooftop Stories Teens Mentors

Gina Duncan

Founder & Editor

Hi, I am a writer who loves to travel.

As a child sitting on my rooftop in New York City and watching the airplanes take off for places unknown, I would dream and write about all the journeys I wanted to go on.

I started traveling in college. Since then, I have been sharing my passion for travel by planning and leading teen trips through Europe and the United States. I am now focusing full time on wandering the world and writing.

My current bucket list includes Rome, the Isle of Skye, Mumbai, Cantabria, Bali, and Reykjavik.

When I'm not writing or journaling, I enjoy practicing yoga and meditation, watercolor painting, taking dance classes, and watching T.V.  I am a bit of a television aficionado.

Katy Matello

Senior Contributor

Katy has been studying and teaching high school students Social Studies, Holocaust and Genocide Studies for the past few years. Her studies have taken her to Philadelphia, New York City and this past Summer, to Poland as one of ten Auschwitz Jewish Center Fellows. 

In her spare time, she loves to read, work in her garden, and play with her fur babies.

Anywhere is her favorite place to travel, whether it's across town, across the country, or across the world. But, Montepulciano, Italy, St. George Island (Florida), and Alaska will always have a special place in her heart!

Stokes OShields

Senior Contributor

Stokes is a graduate of Agnes Scott College in Atlanta, GA with an interest in film, art, history, and unique cocktails. She works as the director of a gallery on the Historic Marietta Square. She has already traveled the world a great deal but is always looking for her next adventure, wherever it may be. It’s hard to choose one favorite place she has been, but for Stokes, seeing the Cliffs of Moher in Ireland was quite literally. the most breathtaking.

​Emma Toland

Senior Contributor

Emma is a recent graduate of the University of Georgia with a degree in Journalism. Her areas of study included writing, religion, literature, and design. Emma is the youngest of two, adores her friends and family and appreciates the simple, hard-working aspects of life. 

She enjoys cooking, traveling, reading, and spending time with those she holds close to her heart. Emma recently got engaged and lives in Marietta, with plans to move to Texas to seek full-time employment.

Elon Graves

Student Ambassador

Elon is a journalist with dreams of making an impact. She is currently a junior at Arizona State University majoring in Journalism with a focus in Public Relations. As she continues her collegiate journey, she plans to learn more about communication through various experiences.

Along with being a student, she is a dancer for ASU Hip Hop Coalition, a member of Next Generation Service Corps and intern for Ideaz Media. She enjoys writing about the injustices of society, influences in music, and how culture shapes people. Her love of the arts defines who she is. Elon not only loves to express herself through words but also as a dancer through movement. 

Abbi Stickles

Student Ambassador

Abbi is a freshman at the University of Wisconsin where she is a dance major. Her favorite pastime is hiking, and she has been very lucky to explore national parks and other amazing scenery. Abbi has hiked Yellow Stone, and Arches National Park, Mount St. Helens, and the Grand Canyon. She loves traveling to experience different cultures, eat good food, and meet interesting people. 

Julia Duncan

Student Ambassador

Julia is a junior at the University of Georgia with a double major in sports management and advertising. She was just promoted as the social media manager for UGA’s hockey team next season. Julia enjoys photography and traveling. She’s already been to three continents and puts London, Uganda, and Alaska on her lists of favorites. She hopes to keep traveling and taking pictures.

Morgan Moore

Student Ambassador

Morgan is a senior in high school. Her interests include photography, fashion, and exercise. Her favorite city is Philadelphia because of its vibrant street art. Besides the arts, her other passion is leadership at school mentoring 7th grade girls, tutoring Spanish in the middle school, and serving on the Student Diversity Leadership Council. She also is a cheerleader, runs cross-country, and track. Morgan hopes to travel to Italy to experience its beauty firsthand. 

Addison Brown

Student Ambassador

Addison is currently attending Georgia State University where he is studying Film and Media. He has many interests which include - but are not limited to - playing guitar and filmmaking. Addison is most excited by a camping adventure. His favorite favorite trip so far has been  to Alaska because of the outdoor activities and its incredible beauty.