My Work:

Most recently I covered environmental and agricultural news for LNP | LancasterOnline. 

Here’s some of my work: 

American chestnuts in East Hempfield Township provide hope for nearly extinct tree [photos, video]

‘Forever chemicals’ linked to cancer found in Lancaster County water

99% of public comments seek to block $2.5 billion Susquehanna River hydroelectric project

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I worked with Billy Penn and Temple University’s Logan Center for Urban Investigative Reporting on a yearlong series examining educational disparities within the Philadelphia School District.

Here’s a selection of our articles: 

75% of Philadelphia district schools don’t have a full-time special education manager, leaving teachers seeking more support

Philly schools are helping special needs students find work after graduation, one internship at a time

Philly School District risks losing millions to address crumbling buildings as pressure mounts to finalize a plan

School principals used COVID relief money for much-needed staff and supplies. What will happen when it expires?

I also produced a range of climate, public health and education stories for Philadelphia Neighborhoods. Click here to see that coverage.

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Here are a few of the articles I wrote for UNC-Chapel Hill’s award-winning student-produced newspaper, The Daily Tar Heel (I started working for the State & National desk as a freshman staff writer; I served as State & National Editor during the spring 2008 semester):

Immigrants feel the ”shadow of fear”

Localizing efforts to process illegals: N.C. officers will partner with feds

NOTE: The two articles listed above are the first two articles in a four-part series; the series was awarded first place in the In-Depth Reporting Category at the Society of Professional Journalist’s 2007 Region 2 Mark of Excellence Awards. Staff Writer Stephanie Metzen and photojournalist Julie Turkewitz collaborated on the series.  

Style drives Obama win

NOTE: Photographer Julie Turkewitz and all-around journalism All-Star Joe Schwartz collaborated on our reporting from the 2008 South Carolina primary. 

One year later, campus moves on

Click here for college

For more, click here.

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Here are some of the articles that I wrote for the Winston-Salem Journal, where I served as a Metro Desk intern in the summer of 2008:

“Anheuser-Busch cutting off caffeinated alcoholic drinks”

“Doctor to face regulatory hearing”

“Realities of Holocaust must be told, survivor says”

Advising:

The Hill News: The Hill School, Pottstown, Pa., summer 2020 to spring 2022

The Hill News (thehill.news and @hillnews) has been in operation as a print publication since 1893; I am honored to be one of the advisers who ushered it into the digital age. I served as THN adviser from summer 2020 to spring 2022. The Hill News was awarded second place in the election reporting category of the Best in Show Awards at the fall 2020 National High School Journalism Conference. Click here to view our coverage (graphic credit for the logo goes to the our incredibly talented Head Illustrator Chloe Han).

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Summit PS News: Summit Public Schools, Bay Area, Calif., summer 2016 to spring 2020

I taught journalism and creative writing as an Expeditions teacher for Summit Public Schools for four years. The student-produced news website I founded, alongside my amazing student editors and reporters, can be seen here.

Many thanks to JEA NorCal for their unflagging support!

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The Hillside Chronicle: Hillside High School, Durham, N.C., summer 2011 to spring 2014

This is the link to The Hillside Chronicle, the student-produced newspaper at Hillside High School in Durham, NC. I served as the newspaper adviser from fall 2011 to spring 2014. Unfortunately, this isn’t the most updated website version – I learned some hard lessons about always making sure to keep your domain registration current.

More up-to-date content can be found on our staff Issuu page: The Hillside Chronicle print edition (pdf)

And this is the most important issue we ever published, for many reasons, but for Kaaylon most of all: TheHillsideChronicleOct2012

A special shoutout to Al Thorn of Triangle Web Printing Co., for his infinite patience and timely publishing assistance.

Many thanks to Jock Lauterer and the good folks at the Durham Voice for providing student mentors, publication opportunities, donations, and invaluable advice! Many thanks as well to The Daily Tar Heel staff for adopting my students just like they adopted me and to the good folks at NCSMA for their support and fellowship. Need to launch a website? Chris Waugaman is the best.

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Webster Weekly: Webster High School, Tulsa, Okla., summer 2009 to spring 2011

For my first adviser job, I founded the Webster Weekly, a student-produced newspaper at Webster High School in Tulsa, OK.

Many thanks to the incredible team that helped me launch that publication:

Advisers: Jeanette Biles, Jeffery Mason, Lora Reynolds, Beth Turner

Layout Editor: Susan Coman (and all the other good folks at the Tulsa County News, especially Gary Percefull, who worked tirelessly to support the students of Webster High School and who generously gave us a page in their paper each week)

The Tulsa World graciously hosted us, and cartoonist Bruce Plante is still the most entertaining class speaker I’ve ever had 🙂