Ms. Kamryan Collis is a student at High Point University, N.C. majoring in Journalism with a minor and focus on criminal justice. Currently she serves on the Board of Communication Fellows where she has been a longtime member. She grew up in Raleigh, N.C. where she was influenced by her mother and father, Carnella Collis and Lavadus Perry, her sister, Kirston Collis, along with other family members and friends that continue to support her in following her dreams of becoming a writer.
Ms. Collis currently serves as the editor for Infinite Space, which is an annual magazine that Interfaith United publishes; a club that she also serves as the Vice President.
*Interface United is for people of all faiths and ideologies to come together and build a bridge of understanding. Meeting up about twice a month, having dinner, and discussing different topics such as: “How do you pray?” or “What is your worldview?”. The goal is to see how, even-though we all have different beliefs, we are not that different in our experiences and in the things we seek out of faith.
She has a passion for storytelling and educating others especially about issues related to the justice system. Her goal is to one day be a crime reporter for a newspaper or digital site.
Reality is Alive. You just have to KEEP it FEED.
Now, enjoy 2 articles in the Loudoun Times-Mirror written by Ms. Kamryan Collis, as a Times-Mirror intern. Not only is she a subperb journalist, but she has a good eye for photography. Check out the photos in her articles.
ARTICLE ONE: "Western Loudoun tour highlights local artists"
By KAMRYAN COLLIS Jun 11, 2024
Inside the walls of the Franklin Park Arts Center, Carly Simon’s “You’re So Vain” played on the speakers. Soon after, there was an eruption of voices all singing along to the chorus. One thing all these people had in common was their love and appreciation for art.
The Franklin Arts Center, the Round Hill Arts Center and The Friends of Franklin Park Arts Center organized the 17th annual Western Loudoun Art and Studio Tour, which took place from June 7-9 and showcased artists and their studios. The tour included 29 art studios and two art centers.
"Grannies on Grannies," a painting by Dana B. Thompson, is displayed at her Purcellville studio.
Photo by Kamryan Collis
“It’s amazing,” said Heather Vogt, a patron who was on the tour. “We look forward to going back to artists we love and seeing new artists,” said Vogt.
With the detailed map, visitors could be as scheduled or spontaneous as they liked. As visitors drive though the participating areas of Loudoun County, square yellow signs could be seen sticking out of the ground, each one labeled with the corresponding number on the map letting people know which stop they’ve made it to.
Hope Hanes, who co-founded the Western Loudoun Art and Studio Tour, poses with her work.
Photo by Kamryan Collis
Hope Hanes, an artist and one of the founders of the art tour, stood at the Franklin Arts Center surrounded by her soft pastel work. Much of her work depicts landscapes painted with rich colors.
“I love a composition I can sink my teeth into,” said Hanes.
One painting rested on display apart from the rest of her work. Entitled “The Green Door,” it depicted a spot in France’s Loire Valley.
“It’s a town I visited when I was studying abroad in France,” said Hanes.
She said her daughter got the same opportunity to study in France, making the painting even more special to her.
Ute Gil, of Sterling, poses in front of her art.
Photo by Kamryan Collis
At the Round Hill Arts Center, visitors could find photography by Terri Parent, take a trip to Africa through Anne Block’s oil paintings or buy oil paintings of forest animals by Ute Gil, each one drawing the viewer in by the different focal points she chose to highlight.
Smaller, independent studios like Dana B. Thompson’s were also stops on the tour. The inside of her studio was lined top to bottom with oil paintings she creates on canvas or linen. The subjects of her paintings varied, but most were collages of things that she found around her home or things from the grocery store.
Penny Hauffe, of Leesburg, poses with her work.
Photo by Kamryan Collis
For instance, some of her paintings included an orange Croc and a yellow Gatorade bottle or a red snapper from a market. Throughout her studio, the same items featured in her paintings can be seen. The granny squares from her painting “Grannies on Grannies,” draped over a chair or the pink haired Troll doll from her piece, “Trolling.”
To find out more about the participating artists and studios visit the Western Loudoun Art and Studio Tour website at wlast.org.
Andrea Falzarano, of AMFM Glass Creations, poses with her work.
Photo by Kamryan Collis
Collis, a student at High Point University, is a Times-Mirror intern.
ARTICLE TWO: "Leesburg man sentenced to 11 years for raping child"
By KAMRYAN COLLIS Ju25, 2024
A 21-year-old Leesburg man was sentenced to nearly 11 years in prison for raping a 12-year-old girl. Loudoun Circuit Court Judge Stephen E. Sincavage sentenced Brandon Adrian Estrada Deleon on July 25 to 54 years and 11 months in prison, with all but 10 years and 11 months suspended. Estrada Deleon must also register as a sex offender for life. He will be on supervised probation for 10 years after his release.
Estrada Deleon pleaded guilty on April 4 to rape and possessing child pornography, both felonies.
“In our society, adults protect children,” Sincavage said. “They should not set out to do harm, and if adults do harm children, the law will address it.”
Brandon Adrian Estrada DeLeon
Courtesy Photo/Loudoun County Sheriff's Office
The Leesburg Police Department began investigating Estrada Deleon in April 2023 after the girl’s mother reported her missing. The girl returned home two weeks later. While she was missing, Estrada Deleon told investigators that he did not know where the girl was. He later admitted that the girl had been with him, and he was arrested on Aug. 22, 2023.
Estrada Deleon admitted to raping the child on at least three occasions, according to a proffer of facts written by Loudoun Deputy Commonwealth’s Attorney Carl Needham. As part of a plea agreement, prosecutors dropped two counts of rape and one count each of abduction and contributing to the abuse of a minor.
Estrada Deleon’s attorney, Robert I. Bruce, said in a sentencing memorandum that two of Estrada Deleon’s teachers had sexually abused him in Guatemala when he was 12 years old. Bruce said this played a role in Estrada Deleon decision to rape the child, adding that his client’s actions were illegal but “not predatory.”
During closing arguments, Needham said, “the court needs to send a message that this community’s 12-year-olds and middle schoolers are not on the market for grown men.”
Collis, a student at High Point University, is a Times-Mirror intern.
Great job Kammie. You have a great future ahead in journalism!
Outstanding!! I am so proud of you! I can't wait to see you on TV reporting a crime story on ID.