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
Pioneering Change For Autism
University of Virginia seminar studies tension between “The Science & Lived Experience of Autism.”
Despite a recent surge in attention and research over the past decade about autism, controversy exists.
Three Birds Seeks Energy Education
Foundation seeks to assist schools with alternative energy solutions.
When Rachel Carson Middle School installed 11 solar panels several years ago, Joseph Plummer was inspired. After all, the students worked to raise more than $40,000 for the installation, which gave them a hands-on chance to learn about alternative energy sources.
Holiday Homes Tour Set for Dec. 7
Annual tour features five homes, will be walkable for the first time.
The Town of Herndon will host its annual Holiday Homes Tour Saturday, Dec. 7, giving visitors a chance to explore five residences and the visions of their owners.
Classical Ballet Theatre Presents Nutcracker
Annual production will run Nov. 30 and Dec. 1.
The Classical Ballet Theatre will present their annual production of “The Nutcracker” starting Nov. 30 at the Northern Virginia Community College Annandale campus.
Thrift Shop Gift Ideas in Herndon
The Closet, Bargain Loft, offer gift ideas that support local charities.
While there’s no shortage of standard brick-and-mortar and online places to shop for this holiday season, several thrift shops in Herndon offer special gift opportunities, as well as a chance to help the less fortunate while doing so.
Herndon Cadets Visit Boot Camp
Naval JROTC cadets train at Parris Island, S.C.
Members of the Herndon High School Naval Junior ROTC got a chance to train in the same place as members of the Marine Corps for 48 hours, experiencing life at boot camp firsthand.
Unfunded Northern Virginia Transportation Projects Discussed
County seeks feedback on unfunded projects.
The Fairfax County Department of Transportation hosted their latest Countywide Conversation on Transportation Meeting in Reston Wednesday, Nov. 13, to solicit opinions on unfunded transportation projects.
Planning Commission Makes Recommendations
Review process leads to Comprehensive Plan Amendments.
The Town of Herndon Planning Commission unanimously approved several changes to the town’s Comprehensive Plan Tuesday, Nov. 5. The current plan was approved in August 2008, and Code of Virginia specifies that local comprehensive plans shall be reviewed by the local planning commission.
Simon’s Likeness to Benefit Cornerstones
Bronze bust of Robert Simon to be auctioned off to assist with affordable housing.
As Reston approaches its 50th year, and its founder approaches his 100th year, Robert Simon’s vision for his community is still very much intact. Part of his vision included people of all income levels living side by side.
Getting Children to Give Back
Touching Heart aims to train next generation of compassionate leaders.
As her birthday approached several years ago, Taylor Yi of Herndon realized she wasn’t that excited about another year of presents from her friends.