Makena Busch, CJE has taught and advised at Mead High School for the past eight years. Busch teaches digital media and graphic design, and she advises both the Pantera yearbook program and Panther’s Howl newspaper club. She is a CTE-certified teacher and is currently working on her MJE. Busch has taught at numerous NSPA-JEA Conventions and nationwide yearbook summer camps, spreading her passion and love of journalism to students from Washington to Florida and beyond. The Pantera has earned several state and national awards including a WJEA Emerald Award, CSPA Gold Crown, NSPA Pacemaker and Best of Show awards. JEA named Busch a Rising Star in 2019, a Special Recognition Adviser in 2021 and a Distinguished Adviser in 2023. Prior to becoming an adviser, she worked professionally as both a freelance photographer and graphic designer for Spokane/CDA Living Magazine as well as Peacock Design Solutions and Rainmaker Creative Lab.