Jazlyn Summers

Jazlyn Summers, Managing Editor

I have been involved in Roo News for almost two years, as I started my freshman year and am currently a sophomore. I was a staff writer/intern and am now the managing editor. I also anchor and produce at Roo TV. I plan on entering the broadcast field in the future, but I love everything about journalism. On the side, I run a photography business and advocate for queer representation in the media. In my (very limited) free time, you’ll often find me either at a dog park or doing yoga… sometimes both at the same time.

All content by Jazlyn Summers

[Photo] Meet a Roo: Alayna Contreras

Sydnee Bryant, Staff Writer
November 22, 2024

Junior guard Alayna Contreras gets ready to take a shot.

[Photo] Meet a Roo: Tamia Ugass

Jalen McNeal, Staff Writer
November 19, 2024

Tamia Ugass shoots a free throw.

Photo Gallery: Women’s basketball exhibition win

Jazlyn Summers, Managing Editor
October 30, 2024

[Photo] Roos nearly reach triple-digits in exhibition win

Zach Gunter, Sports Editor
October 30, 2024

Junior guard Alayna Contreras gets ready to take a shot (Oct. 27, 2024)

UMKC announces closure of current Diversity and Inclusion division

Jazlyn Summers, Managing Editor
October 28, 2024

Chancellor Mauli Agrawal announced the closure of the central office of Diversity and Inclusion on Friday Oct. 25, as UMKC plans to move to a decentralized campus inclusion structure beginning Nov. 1. “UMKC has had a largely successful decentralized model for years,”...

[Photo] Diverse campus fashion changes with the fall

Quinn Cooper Dixon, Staff Writer
October 20, 2024

An assortment of pumpkins.

“Saw” Director and Kansas City native Darren Lynn Bousman unleashes new immersive horror Experience in Kansas

Jazlyn Summers, Managing Editor
October 17, 2024

Kansas City native and “Saw” horror movie director’s newest project is an immersive haunt “Exiled: Crooked Rose Woods,” located in Bonner Springs, Kansas. Darren Lynn Bousman directed four of the Saw movies: Saw II, Saw III, Saw IV and Spiral. He...

[Photo] SGA meeting recap: Students at UMKC School of Law propose solutions for campus safety regarding the recent passing of UMKC student

Joey Valenti, Staff Writer
October 16, 2024

Directors of Internal Affairs Alex Unseth at a former Sept. 9 SGA meeting.

The second annual 18th and Vine Festival highlights local Black-owned art businesses

Jazlyn Summers, Managing Editor
October 8, 2024

The second annual 18th and Vine Arts Festival celebrated Black artists located from across the KC metro. From Sept. 28-29, artists and attendees gathered in the historic 18th and Vine neighborhood and were surrounded by live music, tents full of art, food trucks...

[Photo] UMKC Pride Luncheon brings record breaking funds and unveils LGBTQ+ scholarship

Aurora Wilson, Editor-in-Chief
October 11, 2024

Former mayor Kay Barnes at the event being introduced.

[Photo] Clothesline project raises awareness for domestic violence during International Day of Non-Violence

Quinn Cooper Dixon, Staff Writer
October 9, 2024

Clothesline hanging in the quad full of t-shirts of victims stories.

UMKC student killed at 51st Street and Troost Avenue on Thursday

Aurora Wilson and Jazlyn Summers
September 27, 2024

Yuxi Wu, a Conservatory pianist student, was killed on Thursday while riding her scooter across Troost Avenue and 51st Street. The master's student was struck by a speeding red Ford Focus heading north around noon while crossing a crosswalk. Wu was pronounced dead...

UMKC’s newest faculty addition has plans to help the University reach Carnegie 1 Research Status

Jazlyn Summers, Managing Editor
September 26, 2024

Dr. Dua Sumeet joined UMKC’s staff as the new vice chancellor for research on Sept. 9. This new hire is one of many steps that have been taken toward becoming an R1 university since Chancellor Maulli Agrawal’s State of the University address in April, which highlighted...

[Photo] UMKC unveils major update to 51st Street pedestrian zone

Jack Venable, Staff Writer
September 23, 2024

Students walking on 51st Street.

Local news stations highlight voter registration pop-up at University Walkway

Jazlyn Summers, Managing Editor
September 17, 2024

Various local news stations attended the MSOC/BlaqueKC pop-up for National Voter Registration Day at the University Walkway. Nathan Brennan, anchor and reporter at KCTV5, went live on the walkway around noon with videographer Dwaine Crispell shooting the live shot. “I...

[Photo] UMKC student government says surprise tuition increase felt like a “company memo”

Aurora Wilson, Editor-in-Chief
September 10, 2024

Members of SGA at meeting on Sept. 9.

UMKC Organizations “Take Back the Night” to Participate in National Sexual Violence Awareness Month

Jazlyn Summers, Roo News Intern
April 17, 2024

Join students as they “Take Back the Night,” one of the nation’s oldest worldwide movements against sexual violence this evening, Wednesday April 17. The event will be held at the University Playhouse from 6:30-9:30 p.m., where participants can make signs, listen...

[Photo] Opinion: Stop Stressing Over TikTok Being Banned

Aurora Wilson, Lifestyle and Culture Editor
April 11, 2024

The social media app is facing concerning legislation.

Review: “Cowboy Carter”: Beyoncé’s Defiant Journey into Country Music

Jazlyn Summers, Staff Writer
April 10, 2024

“COWBOY CARTER” is a beautifully written, well-thought-out work of art containing a message directly from the core of Beyonce’s southern heart. As the second act to her summer smash “RENAISSANCE,” this album had some big boots to fill– and it did not...

State of the University: UMKC’s Research Renaissance and Campus Evolution

Jazlyn Summers, Staff Writer
April 3, 2024

Chancellor Mauli C. Agrawal delivered the State of the University address on Wednesday with an outpouring of pride for UMKC and all that has been accomplished in the past year. Agrawal outlined future plans that would benefit the campus and boost student success. He...

Breaking Barriers: Goofball Sk8boards Paving the Way for Accessibility in Skateboarding

Jazlyn Summers, Roo News Intern
March 21, 2024

Goofball Sk8boards, a queer-owned LGBTQ+ safe space, aims to be more accessible in the future of skateboarders in Kansas City. “Our goal this year is to make our park free for everyone,” said Co-owner and Business Director Joan Rose. “We recognize that if you...

Advancing Campus Engagement: SGA’s Proactive Legislative Proposals

Jazlyn Summers, Roo News Intern
February 27, 2024

The Student Government Association (SGA) had a quick meeting on Monday, Feb. 19 to propose two new bills. The first bill, titled “Announcements Resolution,” was proposed by Senator Shewit Abai. “This is just another way to connect the school with the...

Cultivating Inclusivity: Rainbows in the Gardens

Jazlyn Summers and Lilah Manning
February 20, 2024

UMKC’s Sexuality and Gender Alliance (SAGA) club collaborated with the Environmental Student Council (ESC) on Feb. 13 to celebrate their mutual love for plants in the community. The groups united to provide mini succulents, cacti and terracotta pots for students...

One Dead, Several Injured During Chiefs Parade

Zach Gunter and Jazlyn Summers
February 14, 2024

Update: As of 2:30 p.m. Thursday afternoon, the number of those injured at the Union Station shooting after the Chiefs Super Bowl parade increased to 30 people. Lisa Lopez-Galvan, is confirmed dead and the remining victims' ages range from 8 years old to 47 years...

Setting Sail in Hawaii: Kansas City Softball Preps for the Season Kickoff

Jazlyn Summers, RooNews Intern
February 8, 2024

Coming out of their last season with a 9-43 record, Roos softball can only go up as they venture into the spring 2024 season. “It was just a lot of growing pains. Anytime you’re walking into a new program you gotta expect a rebuild and being able to plant your...

UMKC’s Women’s Center Hosts Barbie Movie Night as part of the Student Union Takeover Series

Jazlyn Summers, Staff Writer
February 3, 2024

The Women’s Center hosted a showing of the movie “Barbie” Friday night, Jan. 26, in the Student Union Theater for an evening filled with photo-ops, free popcorn, mocktails, pins and prizes. Students crowded the theater and munched on the flavored popcorn...

Kansas City Women’s Basketball: A Strong Start Fades Against SDSU Jackrabbits

Jazlyn Summers, Roo News Intern
January 28, 2024

Kansas City women’s basketball started strong in the first half against the South Dakota State University Jackrabbits on Thursday. However, the team lost that energy in the second half with the game ending at 49-72. The first quarter looked promising as junior forward...

Review: “MACBITCHES” is the Theater Show College Students Need

Jazlyn Summers, Staff Writer
November 7, 2023

You don’t want to miss “MACBITCHES” at the Unicorn Theatre in downtown KC. This dark comedy stars Hannah Elizabeth Freeman who plays the protagonist, Hailey, a freshman who scored the lead role in their university’s production of “Macbeth.” Naturally,...

A Dog’s Day Out: Meet Ripkin

Jazlyn Summers, Staff Writer
October 21, 2023

Fostering dogs for “Dog Days Out” at the Kansas City Pet Project is a way you can help out shelter pups who need a break. If you miss your pet at home or don’t want to pay ridiculous pet rent fees, this program is a great alternative. Sadie Ford, a canine...

SAGA Presents Yearly Drag Show

Jazlyn Summers, Staff Writer
October 19, 2023

The “Lights Out Frights Out” drag show hosted by the Sexuality and Gender Alliance (SAGA) Club on Oct. 11 had a scary good turnout. Two local and popular drag queens, Cynthia Doll and Lana Luxx, presented the annual Halloween show. The artists did an excellent...

Trans+ Club at UMKC

Jazlyn Summers, Staff Writer
September 20, 2023

The Trans+ club’s new president, Kale Michael, aims to foster a more welcoming environment for the transgender community to increase student involvement on UMKC’s campus. Trans+ is a social club as well as an advocacy group. A welcoming environment is very important...

“So the roots be known”

Lauren Zoller and Jazlyn Summers
September 14, 2023

A new exhibit at the Kemper Museum of Contemporary Art highlights Kansas City’s lesser known lesbian history, and the artist used UMKC’s Gay and Lesbian Archive of Mid-America to do it. Sarah Zapata’s “So the roots be known” exhibit brings vibrant lavender...

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