I was born and raised in Lake Orion, Mich. I come from a family of engineers, many of whom are Michigan State alumni, which led me to attend Michigan State University (MSU) myself in 2012. I graduated with a Bachelor’s degree in English and journalism in May of 2016 and moved to Madison Heights in August.
I went into college as an English major and added journalism spring semester of my freshman year. I also spent two years in the English Education program at MSU, but I left the program my senior year and instead dual-degreed to receive an English degree from MSU’s College of Arts and Letters and a journalism degree from the College of Communication Arts and Sciences.
When I was 17 I started working at Vette Products, a Corvette parts shop owned by my family in Lake Orion. I’ve had several other jobs since then. I spent a summer working at Jimmy John’s and Chipotle and I worked at one of MSU’s dining halls for three years while I was in school. I spent two semesters working at MSU’s student newspaper, The State News, and I had a public relations internship my last two semesters.
At the time I started college, I went in as an English major because it was my favorite subject in high school and I have a passion for writing. I decided to add journalism as a way to apply a profession to my passion and I ended up falling in love with it while I was working at The State News.
I spent some time in Independence Township and the Clarkston area growing up. I often attend concerts at DTE Energy Music Theatre and I go skiing at Pine Knob in the winter. When I was in high school I worked as a Counselor-in-Training for a summer camp at Clintonwood Park.
As the school district and township reporter I’ve met with a few Clarkston area school principals, Board of Education President Stephen Hyer and township Supervisor Pat Kittle. I have plans to meet with Superintendent Rod Rock and more principals within the next few weeks.
Everyone I’ve met so far has been helpful and friendly, a refreshing attitude as media and journalists are often viewed unfavorably. I’m always open to talk to anyone if they have a story idea or an event they want covered. I invite anyone in the community to give me a call at 248-625-3370 or come talk to me at the office.