About Me
In April 2010 I embarked on the biggest adventure of my life - moving from Phoenix, Ariz., to Washington D.C. to work as a reporter for The Gazette, a weekly newspaper in Montgomery County, Md. Stories from The Gazette are also sometimes published in the Local Living section of The Washington Post.
I cover all aspects of local news for the communities of Potomac, North Potomac and Bethesda. From the vibrant urban streets of downtown Bethesda, to the quiet towpath of the C&O Canal National Historic Park, I have hunted for hyperlocal news that matters most to our readers. A day on the job may mean kayaking down the river, searching for rats on the Capital Crescent Trail, standing in the somber darkness of a candlelight vigil, or running from a cattle stampede at the last farm in North Potomac.
I began my career in journalism at The Arizona Daily Wildcat, an award-winning independent student newspaper at the University of Arizona. I started as a general assignment reporter in 2007, and worked my way up to becoming News Editor in 2009. 
The hands-on experience I obtained while working as a student reporter and diving into the job provided me with a wonderful training ground to enhance my coursework. I learned to write under deadline and cover a wide range of stories including science, administration, and police and crime activity.
As the News Editor of the Arizona Daily Wildcat, I completely submerged myself into the daily grind of a newspaper. I edited and assigned over 25 stories a week, managed 16 reporters, and assisted with production and multimedia aspects of the paper. The Wildcat is an entirely student-run publication, with a circulation of over 15,000 print copies daily, and an almost equal readership online.
In the summer of 2008 I was given an opportunity as a the city desk intern for the Tucson Citizen daily newspaper, owned by Gannett Co., Inc. I was immediately put to work, and was able to turn a phone tip into an in-depth front page story about the crisis of renters rights in foreclosured properties. I also wrote eight other stories, including a detailed examination of how high gas prices hurt local elderly meal programs. The Tucson Citizen closed in 2009 after being dropped by Gannett.
I graduated in May of 2009 with a degree in online journalism from the University of Arizona. Through the course of my studies, I've become proficient in Adobe Photoshop, Final Cut Pro, Audacity, and Soundslides. My senior capstone class produced the online newspaper Borderbeat.net, which was recently recognized by the Society of 
Professional Journalists as one of the top online student publications. I worked as a multimedia reporter covering women's issues along the Mexican border, and took on additional responsibilities as the site's webmaster.
During my four years in college I was also heavily involved in the arts. I served a year as president of the UA chaper of Tau Beta Sigma, a National Honorary Band Sorority and prominent service organization which promotes music at the university and throughout the community. Through Tau Beta Sigma, I gained valuable leadership, communication, and buisness skills. For four years I was a baritone horn player in the world-famous Pride of Arizona marching band, and have played flute, trumpet, and euphonium in concert ensembles.
