Feature writing
Lawrence resident Virgina Musser, stands with the yearbook from her middle school, where she was taught by Walz.
Photo by Zana Kennedy
Tim Walz’s connection to the Lawrence community
During the 2024 election season, I was on the hunt for ways to localize the national news.​
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That's when I discovered that the mother of a junior at our school had known Tim Walz. In fact he had been her teacher.
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This was one of the most exciting feature stories I have ever done — not only because of the national connection to our local community — but because of how passionate this parent was about the subject.​​
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Best of SNO, 2024 click on badge!
Graphic by Ruby Hull
The silent killer: bringing awareness to ovarian cancer
There is a lot of work to bring awareness to breast cancer, but what about other types of cancers that directly affect women?
National Ovarian Cancer Awareness Month is September, right before Breast Cancer Awareness Month. ​​
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One of my classmates had watched her mother battle this disease at the beginning of her freshman year. I thought the month of September was the perfect time to bring awareness to her experience.
Senior Colin Sandefur checks the joint for exhaust leaks during the Auto/Welding for the Novice course at Peaslee Tech.
Photo by Maison Flory
Trade school helps students find jobs
As part of our third issue for the newspaper in the 2023-24 school year, we highlighted options other than college after graduation.
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Peaslee Tech is a trade school that offers students a wide range of possibilities to get hired right out of high school.
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College is often at the forefront of high schoolers’ minds after graduation. I wanted to make sure the student body knew they were not limited to higher education.​​
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Senior Jillian Collier, president of the Black Student Union, leads a September club meeting.
Photo by Dylan Wheatman
Black Student Union aims to create larger community for students of color
The first feature story I wrote was during my sophomore year, about the new Black Student Union club at our school.
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Although Lawrence High had clubs representing students of all backgrounds, from the LGBTQ+ community to Inter-tribal Club, no club designated for Black students existed.​​
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This article helped get the word out about the newly organized club that has existed in thousands of high schools and colleges around the country. My goal was to support both the club and the students involved by telling their story.
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Third Place KSPA news writing, August/September 2022
Sunrise Project looking for a new place to call home
When I saw the announcement on social media that the local non-profit where students volunteered was moving from its central location, I knew I had to write a story.
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It was the perfect opportunity to bring light to great volunteer program while supporting the organization. Coincidentally, the daughter of one of the co-founders attended our school.​​​​​​
Surrounded by local Flowers, Sunrise Project distinguishes its garden space.
Photo by Cadence Scholtz