I am a reporter at The Sumter Item, focusing on Clarendon County government and education
BASJMC Major in Journalism with a minor in Psychology
I officially graduated from USC in May 2022 as a multimedia journalist. I have been working at a local, daily newspaper, for a two years now, covering three counties. Mainly focusing on Clarendon County government and education. I have won second place in the South Carolina Press Association Awards for Education Beat Writing. I am trying to pursue a career in investigative journalism, with a focus on digital reporting. I am comfortable with interviewing, writing, photography, and editing.
Growing up in the small town of Lancaster, S.C., has taught me a lot about people and how to respect others.
I have always been a crime junkie and love to listen to crime podcasts, read crime stories, etc. I am a dog mom to a four-year-old blue pit bull named Otis.
My love for journalism began at a very young age. I remember running to the door as a child, to get the weekly newspaper for my great-grandmother. She used to read the comics to me because I could only understand the pictures. When I learned how to read, I would stop at the newspapers boxes out on Main Street and read the paper on the way home.
In high school, I was the editor-in-chief of our school newspaper, The Bruin Pride. I loved working on that newspaper. We learned how to use InDesign, Photoshop and many other programs. In my first year of college at Kent State, I worked for Fusion Magazine. That experience taught me how to take better photos, and to write for a magazine.
In my first year of my journalism career, I have learned a lot about my writing, noticed growth in my stories and overall have noticed be growing more confident in my storytelling. One thing that helped me realize that was winning second place at the South Carolina Press Association awards for educaiton beat reporting. This was for my story using a FOIA request to uncover the Clarendon County Superintendent's salary, stipeds and changes to his contract without public knowledge. This was also for reporting on Clarendon and Lee County schools recieved seperate amounts for $42M to replace schools and consolidate schools. I have also been recognized by Ralph Norman, a member of Congress, along with other co-workers.
