I am the community reporter for Herndon, Reston, McLean and Great Falls. I’ve been a reporter since 2007, starting as an intern at the Connection and I spent several years covering the military in the Washington, D.C. area.
As a child, I would go on vacations with a bag of clothes and an equal-size bag of books. After spending the first two decades of my life reading anything I could get my hands on, I turned to writing the words.
I grew up in the Herndon and Reston area and graduated from Virginia Tech in 2006 with a degree in English and a minor in History. After a brief stint as a teacher, I turned to journalism and have enjoyed telling stories through words and photographs ever since.
In my spare time, if such a thing exists, I enjoy playing guitar, watching NBA basketball and Elvis Presley.
In an area filled with small business owners, high-ranking government officials and everything in between, I am always looking to tell stories. If you as a community member think something is intriguing, then I want to tell the community at large the who, what, where and why in an informative and entertaining fashion.
Your stories are out there, and it’s my job to bring them to light. If your family has an interesting history, your school or group is doing something noteworthy or someone you know makes you stop and think, “if only more people knew about this,” feel free to drop me a line.
And if the person you know happens to be Wizards point guard John Wall, that would be super.
Recent Stories
Author Writes Children’s Sleep Book
Pat Britz hosts signing at Katie’s Coffee Shop.
During her years working for the National Sleep Foundation, author Pat Britz heard it all from parents. Calls about children that wouldn’t go to bed, that couldn’t sleep and more.
Inventor Sets Sights on Sprinkler Savings
Michael Lehmann develops device, algorithm to detect rainfall.
Rain brings with it a lot of headaches, but for Michael Lehmann, rowing coach at Langley High School, one thing bothers him most of all: driving through the rain and seeing automatic lawn sprinklers going all out, watering an already saturated lawn.
Bestselling Author Speaks at Alden
Safe Community Coalition welcomes Dr. Madeline Levine to discuss parenting tips, student stress.
The Safe Community Coalition welcomed bestselling author Dr. Madeline Levine to the Alden Theatre Tuesday, Nov. 19, to speak on successful parenting techniques.
Gift Shopping in Great Falls
Havana Vintage, Salud Healthy Pantry offer gift ideas.
Shopping malls are almost guaranteed to be among the most crowded stores around as the holiday season approaches, but great gifts can be had a long way from Tysons Corner in Great Falls, just at the corner of Walker Road and Colvin Run Road.
GFCA Raises Contamination Questions
Initial corrective action plan missing pieces, public comment period to come.
Members of the Great Falls Citizens Association Special Committee on Groundwater Contamination presented an update Tuesday, Nov. 12.
Artisans Offers Artistic Gift Ideas
Jewelry, housewares, local art among items featured at The Artisans.
When it comes to buying local, The Artisans in McLean practices what they preach. The eclectic gift shop is filled with handmade jewelry, pottery, clothing, accessories and much more.
Veterans Day Celebrated at Freedom Memorial
Former Navy SEAL John “Sandy” Pidgeon speaks during annual ceremony.
More than 100 citizens gathered at the Great Falls Freedom Memorial on the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month Monday to pay tribute to Americas’ veterans.
Route 7 Widening Plans Updated
Intersection improvements, increased pedestrian and bicycle facilities highlight $300 million project.
The Virginia Department of Transportation held an update meeting regarding the Route 7 Widening project Wednesday, Nov. 6. The estimated $300 million project will widen Route 7 from four lanes to six for 6.9 miles from Jarrett Valley Drive to Reston Avenue.
SCC Takes Aim at Student Stress
Dr. Madeline Levine to speak at Alden Nov. 19.
The Safe Community Coalition, an advocacy group serving the Langley and McLean High School pyramids, as well as Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology, is taking on the challenge of student stress head on.
Langley High School Presents ‘Little Women’
Students put on musical version of Louisa May Alcott novel.
When it came to playing sisters, Langley High School students Madeleine Chalk, Jamie Goodson, Kathryn Bailey and Camila Maric were more than up to the task. The four play the March sisters in Langley’s upcoming production of “Little Women.”