ABC Medianet

Disney/ABC Television Group in partnership with the Writers Guild of America-West named eight new fellows for the 19th annual Writing Fellowship Program, it was announced today. The 2009 writing fellows, who begin their year-long paid fellowships this month working with executives from Disney/ABC Television Group, are Lana Cho, Michael Cinquemani, Lourdes Diaz, Shalisha Francis, Marqui Jackson, Dan Richter, Mark Valadez and Thomas Wong.

"We are thrilled with the talented group of individuals that make up our 2009 fellowship class," said Robert Mendez, senior vice president, Diversity, Disney/ABC Television Group. "Each year the talent level of our very diverse applicant pool deepens even more, and the result is that our program benefits from the participation of some very gifted writers."

"The 19th class of fellows marks the company's continued involvement in developing skills for the next generation of writers," added Tim McNeal, vice president, Talent Development & Diversity, Disney/ABC Television Group. "We truly believe our program provides the best point of entry for new writers looking to break into television."

Kim Myers, director of WGAW, added: "The WGAW has a long and productive history with the Disney-ABC Writing Fellowship Program. Many successful WGA members began their careers as Disney writing fellows and continue to support the program as mentors. Here at the Guild, we look forward to meeting and working with the newest group of incoming writers in their fellowship year, and we hope to see them become a part of the next generation of WGA members."

Selected from more than 1,300 applicants, the eight new fellows join an impressive alumni group that numbers over 200 participants since 1990. The industry-leading writing program gives participants the opportunity to hone their craft and jump-start their careers through intensive workshops, seminars and personalized mentoring with creative executives from ABC Entertainment Group, Disney Channel, ABC Family and the Walt Disney Studios Motion Picture Production.

The intensive training program also is set up to provide each of the writing fellows with the opportunity to be staffed on a Disney/ABC Television Group series during the term of the fellowship. In 2008, writing fellows was staffed on such series as ABC's "Brother's & Sisters," "Ugly Betty" and "Samantha Who?," ABC Family's "Greek" and Disney Channel's "Zeke & Luther."

The class of 2009 joins a roster that spans television and film with their successes. A small sampling of alumni now advancing in their careers includes: Matthew Whitney (08), who is currently penning his third episode for ABC Family's "Greek"; Bryan Oh (07), who, since completing the fellowship, has written two segments of ABC Family's "Samurai Girl" and is currently executive story editor on ABC's "Life on Mars," having penned the episode "The Real Adventures of Sam Tyler"; Jason Gavin ('06), who staffed as a fellow on ABC's "According to Jim"; Cassandra Taylor ('06) and Charley Dane ('06), who staffed as fellows on ABC Family's "Kyle XY"; Anthony Sparks ('06), who staffed as a fellow on ABC Family's "Lincoln Heights"; and Sal Calleros ('06), who staffed as a fellow on ABC Family's "Three Moons Over Milford."

The Disney/ABC Television Group strives to create quality content that represents the rich diversity of their audiences, including race, culture and gender, as well as a diversity of ideas, experiences and histories. ABC's commitment to discovering and nurturing diverse talent, both on- and off-camera, is exemplified through a variety of industry-leading talent development programs. In addition to the Disney ABC Writing Fellowship Program, other programs include the Walt Disney Studios Writing Fellowship, ABC-DGA Directing Fellowship, the ABC Casting Project, the Summer Television & Film Workshop at the Institute of American Indian Arts and the ABC/ABC Studios Production Associates Program.

2009 Disney ABC Writing Fellows:

Lana Cho
A native of Southern California, Lana Cho overcame her parents' best efforts to convince her to pursue medicine or law. Instead she gravitated towards the arts at a young age and eventually set her sights on learning more about writing for television. Since graduating from the University of Southern California's School of Cinema with a Bachelor of Arts in cinema production, Lana has worked as an assistant in television development at the Kennedy/Marshall Company, Warner Bros. Television and The WB. Most recently she was the assistant to the head of Current Programming at The CW Network. Lana also served on the Board of the Junior Hollywood, Radio and Television Society (JHRTS).

Michael Cinquemani
Michael J. Cinquemani has had what he describes as a love affair with television ever since he was a young boy growing up in Massapequa, New York. He graduated magna cum laude/Phi Beta Kappa from Binghamton University in New York with a major in literature and creative writing and a minor in cinema. Now with a Daytime Emmy® Award nomination for his work on ABC's "General Hospital" and several produced daytime television scripts on his resume, Michael is excited to make the transition into primetime television. His credits include staff positions on "General Hospital" and the cable series "First Wave." Additionally he has written freelance scripts for series such as ABC's "All My Children" and SOAPnet's "General Hospital: Night Shift." An active WGA member, Michael currently serves on the Guild's Gay and Lesbian Writers' Committee.

Lourdes Diaz
While growing up, Lourdes Diaz was drawn to television because the medium's storytelling exposed her to a world of possibilities she had thought unobtainable. After high school, she held down a full-time job during the day and spent her evenings at California State University, Northridge, where she earned a Bachelor's in English literature. Shortly after graduating, she landed a production assistant position at The Walt Disney Company, working on the animated sequel "Lilo and Stitch2: Stitch Had a Glitch." Additional experience includes assistant for a Touchstone Television joint venture with the Slamdance Film Festival and an agent's assistant at Creative Artists Agency (CAA).

Shalisha Francis
Shalisha Francis was raised in Berrien Springs, Michigan, a quaint village on the southwest corner of the state with a population of about 2000. With education a top priority in the Francis household, Shalisha excelled in many disciplines and ultimately was accepted to Princeton University when she was only 16. While there she studied comparative literature and pre-law. After completing her undergraduate work, Shalisha earned her Juris Doctor from Duke Law School. She worked in law-oriented positions at such companies as Lucas Film LTD, Buena Vista and Warner Bros. Records before pursuing her dream of being a television writer.

Marqui Jackson
As a child, Marqui Jackson often retreated to the family's television set, where he immersed himself in what was portrayed as the ideal American family. He was drawn to such classic comedy series as "The Donna Reed Show" and "Make Room for Daddy," as the traditional family dynamics and characters deeply resonated with him. These shows also enticed the Fort Worth native to learn more about the art of television writing. After high school, he attended DePauw University in Greencastle, Indiana, where he earned his Bachelor of Arts in communications. He later earned a Master's in media arts from Texas Christian University. After graduation, Marqui relocated to Los Angeles and, ironically, landed one of his first jobs in television on a family comedy called "Happy Family." Most recently he held the position of assistant to the executive producer of ABC's "Ugly Betty."

Dan Richter
Dan Richter was raised in the antique-and-arts community of Greene, New York. Starting as a voice major at Fredonia State University, he realized he was more interested in studying the human condition and switched his major to sociology. Outgoing and personable, Dan worked as a traveling leadership consultant for his fraternity and earned a Master's in education from Indiana University. Most recently he was Assistant Director of Sorority and Fraternity Life at Emory University in Atlanta, where he coordinated leadership education and risk management programming for Emory's 26 chapters.

Mark Valadez
Mark Valadez was born and raised in the cultural melting pot of Chicago. The son of a steelworker who later became a police officer, Mark flirted with the idea of a career in law enforcement, going so far as to interview with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms before deciding to pursue a writing career. He studied communications at Northern Illinois University, where he adapted Stephen King's short story, "Popsy," for a graphic novel/horror anthology entitled "Masques." Since then he has scripted three comic-book series and published four children's horror-suspense novels. He recently completed the National Hispanic Media Coalition's 2008 Fall Latino Television Writers Program.

Thomas Wong
A native of Denver, Thomas Wong disappointed his strict, traditional parents at an early age when he told them he would never become a doctor because he didn't wish to be in school for so long. After making the Dean's List and earning a degree in English, cum laude, at Williams College in Williamstown, Massachusetts, Thomas earned his Juris Doctor from New York University School of Law. However, following two-and-a-half years of employment, labor and commercial litigation at top New York law firms, he left his legal practice and transitioned into the competitive, fast-paced world of Manhattan real estate. After several years as one of Manhattan's top sales agents, Thomas finally decided to pursue his lifelong dream of becoming a television writer. He recently relocated to Los Angeles, where he promptly enrolled in writing courses at UCLA and landed an internship at Adelstein Productions.

Media Relations Contact:

Edwin Escobar, Edwin.Escobar@abc.com (818) 460-7758

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