I started my journey at The Communicator, Community High School's journalistic publication, as a News Editor, and now serve as a Web Editor-in-Chief. As an editor and journalist, I focus on the stories affecting students and the Ann Arbor Public Schools, including childcare access and the reopening of schools after the pandemic. My goal is to strengthen the school's community by allowing students to see themselves represented in The Communicator and to feel a part of something larger. We work to interview every student in the building and stress the idea that everyone is newsworthy.
While on staff, I've written dozens of stories about everything from how to destress from Covid-19 news to an in-depth analysis of Michigan House Bill 4048, but these are some of the stories with the most impact on me and my community.
News-Features
Anderson Survivors Demand a Safer CampusFor months, despite sickness and poor weather, sexual assault survivors of Dr. Anderson, a former University of Michigan doctor, camped outside UMich President Mark Schlissel's house to raise awareness for on-campus sexual assault and demand better conditions. After sitting and talking with survivors Chuck Christian and John Vaughn, I shared the story with Community students to ensure everyone knew the stories of the men in the tents.
New Café Brings Pizza, Salad and EquityBefore February 2020, Community High School did not have a kitchen or affordable food options. The new café's opening was celebrated with music and food, and a reflection on the ways Community supports its students from different backgrounds. Through interviews with administrators, I shared the story behind the sandwiches.
First place in News Feature, Columbia Gold Circle Award 2020. Neutral Zone Navigates Students’ Concerns"This is a complicated story" starts my investigation into allegations of racism at The Neutral Zone, a local non-profit. And it is. Over three months and nine interviews, I looked into a story uncovered by local media that had existed solely on social media. Working with lawyers from the Student Press Law Center, I learned more about how to write complex stories where the facts are debatable.
Third place in News Analysis, Michigan Interscholastic Press Association, 2021 To Connect and SupportAt the start of the 2020-21 school year, four new teachers joined the Community High School Staff. But with black Zoom screens and muted voices, they were unable to meet the student body. Through this article, I attempted to give them a way to share their hopes and interests as teachers.
Read on to learn more about the teachers' passions for reading, nature photography, favorite Halloween costumes and advice for students. COVID-19 Further Complicates School Funding PolicyThrough this article about changes to school's emergency funds depending on their reopening status, I was able to combine my loves for journalism and economics. I spoke with state senators and representatives to provide both sides of the debate and spent hours combing through bill analysis to write a factual and relevant article.
Virtual Learning Brings Adjusted FinalsWith Zoom classes comes Zoom finals. In this article, I was able to use my position as a student journalist to hear discussions happening around finals and interview both students and teachers. Students could share what they wished teachers would know about finals and schoolwork and vice versa. I was also able to provide comfort for students feeling alone in their anxieties during virtual learning with other students' honest and open interviews.
First place in News Analysis, Michigan Interscholastic Press Association, 2021 Local Group Rallies for a Return to In-person LearningOn a brisk Jan. 30, a group of parents and students demanded a return to in-person instruction outside of the Ann Arbor Post Office.
This article was part of a series of articles about the fight over whether or not to return to school before the end of the 20-21 school year. Third place in News Story, Michigan Interscholastic Press Association, 2021 AAPS Decision to Pause Childcare Strains Families, Community MembersThe suspension of Ann Arbor's before- and after-care program caused a wave of outrage in the community. In this piece, I interviewed affected families affected and district employees, to provide both sides of the story. Hours of AAPS Board meeting viewing contributed to this piece.
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