At my core, I am a journalist first. For as long as I can remember, when people asked me what I wanted to be when I grew up, the answer was a journalist. While I always strived to shine a light on underrepresented communities, voices and solutions, I later realized I wanted to change how I was doing that. As Deputy Editor at the Western Gazette, I couldn’t be prouder to wear that press pass every day.

When I arrived at Western University to major in Media, Information and Technoculture, I immediately joined the Gazette. As Deputy Editor, she has written and edited hundreds of stories on a wide range of coverage in the culture, news, sports and opinions sections. Turning complex topics into stories that are clear, entertaining and digestible is my favourite thing to do. Whether it’s for my own stories or those of others, I am obsessed with finding the headlines that will make people click, the visuals that will prompt them to think, and the phrasing that will engage them and spark conversations. As a digital native and someone who used social media for social good, I understand both the challenges and opportunities the digital world presents to journalism. I’m here to meet that moment.

People deserve to know what is happening in their community. They need to understand the problem to find and create solutions. This, and putting people at the forefront, is what I care about most in journalism. I am curious about the world around me – locally and globally – and lead with empathy and honesty. I’ve always loved catering to different audiences and helping them become informed in a way that makes sense for them. As a journalist, I always think about the “so what?” behind everything and how to bring the hidden, weird, and human moments into every story to ensure it stays with people.