Roni Ayalla

Since we launched TechFlash last October, we've been steadily adding new voices to the site. You've probably already read some of our top-notch guest bloggers, from Paul Andrews to Glenn Kelman to Brent Frei. Now, we're thrilled to introduce a new program where we will feature the writings of young tech journalists from local colleges and universities.

We're kicking off the effort today with Roni Ayalla, a 23-year-old Wichita, Kansas transplant who is studying at the University of Washington's Master of Communication in Digital Media program. Roni is going to be our eyes and ears on campus, filing occasional dispatches on the trends and issues that are important to "digital natives." You can read her first report today, a survey of whether college students would prefer to get their textbooks on a Kindle. (The answers surprised me and probably will surprise Amazon.com too.)

We're not calling this an internship program, in part because it implies a top-down structure that we want to avoid. While we are looking forward to helping guide a younger crop of news gatherers, we're equally excited to get their insights on what is really going on in the tech world.

Roni, for one, has a lot to share.

"I love gadgets and spend too much of my small income on technology," she says. "As such, I'm a proponent and user of free and open-source applications, software and tools. I've always said I'm going to measure it someday, but I'd estimate I spend 10-12 hours a day online via my old yet able Sanyo mobile phone or laptop."

When she's not online, Roni volunteers with high-school students. That gives her insight into the technology trends of the next-generation of computer users. Furthermore, she says it gives her a little extra cash to pay the Xbox Live bills.

Welcome on-board Roni!!!