My first article was published while interning at a one-person local paper, the Saco Bay News. When the founder, Liz Gotthelf, posted about the publication’s launch on Facebook in March 2020, I decided to reach out to her. As a one-person paper, she was excited by my interest, and she gave me the opportunity to write about various topics, including the Black Lives Matter movement, COVID-19, and a local car show. These pieces would be the first in my portfolio. I worked with Liz for just under a year, from the middle of my Senior year of high school to the beginning of my Freshman year at college.

Once I started college at the University of New England, I joined the school paper, The Bolt. In my first two years of college, I wrote a few short pieces, including a personal commentary piece and a guide. The following year, I was offered the position of co-editor-in-chief, which I gladly accepted. Since becoming co-EIC, I have had the opportunity to write a plethora of articles spanning various topics. Additionally, I have learned how to design and maintain a WordPress website, edit content, plan and host events, design posters, and much more!

In June of 2023, I was offered a paid fellowship at the Portland Press Herald, which required me to write two articles a semester for a year. Additionally, I was offered a news clerk internship for two sequential semesters. Through the fellowship, I wrote articles under the business editor and features editor. Through the internship, I put together the paper’s weekly ‘People on the Move’ column and local event/dining guides. Once the first semester of my time at the Press Herald was over, I accepted an offer for a part-time job to continue my clerical work over winter break. My time at the paper has taught me a lot of journalism tips and tricks, which has greatly improved my writing.