Our Team
Emily Ball
Publisher
Neighborhood news without the noise: that is the inspiration behind The Vine. Launched in 2020, The Vine is a news source for all things Irvine.
Emily grew up in Orange County, and after working in the tech sector and for the Department of Energy, she returned to her OC roots. In 2006 Emily and her husband settled in Irvine with their two children. She continues to live and work in Irvine as a freelance writer.
Sophia Zhou
2023 Summer Intern
Sophia is a rising high school junior at Sage Hill who is passionate about all kinds of creative writing and journalism. She writes for various clubs and is also working on a novel. Outside of her writing, she also enjoys digital art.
Former Contributors
Briana Bao
Intern (Summer 2022)
Ever since she was young, Briana always found simple joys when she would pick up a pen and write. Whether it was in her “secret diary” or in a birthday card for a dear friend, words seemed to help Briana connect with the world. Throughout the years, Briana has written short stories, poems, and personal essays all connecting to her life as a child growing up in the chaotic 21st century. Now a rising senior in high school, Briana has a passion for studying foreign languages. She started the Philo-Chocolate Society, a space for young humans to ponder about life while indulging in sweet treats. As a (kind-of) old soul, Briana also enjoys listening to the rain and reading heart-felt books under a dim lamp.
Read Briana’s articles here.
Joseph Khoury
Intern (Summer 2022)
Joseph Khoury is high school graduate in Orange County. He has lived most of his life overseas, spending his primary years in Dubai and parts of middle and high school in London, traveling through Asia and Europe. In terms of writing, he likes exploring the more interpersonal and social aspects of Irvine, ranging from the effects of political decisions to social activism and what it means for our community.
Read Joseph’s articles here.
Audrey Fong
Contributor
Audrey Fong is a marketer and writer living in Orange County. She graduated from UCI with a B.A. in English in 2019. In her free time, she enjoys working on her two Instagram influencer accounts and writing short stories. Her work has appeared in Juiced Zine, New Forum, Same Faces Collective, Scorched Palms, The Storytelling Project and UCI Humanities Center. Follow her on Instagram @bobabitches and @charlottethecattledog
Read Audrey’s articles here.