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
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.
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.
Brooksfield School Celebrates 25 Years
School brings Montessori education with emphasis on ‘mindfulness.’
More than 25 years ago, Mary Anne Duffus was almost at the end of her rope. She was chasing her dream of opening her own Montessori school, but after searching at multiple local churches for space, she couldn’t find one that would work.
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.
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.”
Learning to Live Life
Motivational speakers and authors address local women.
When it comes to happiness, Joda Coolidge, Mindy Mitchell and Alison Nancye have seen both sides of the coin. Like everyone, their lives have seen ups and downs, but the trio have used their experiences to get to where they want in life.
Bicyclers Take Aim At Tysons
Cycling summit examines Tysons Corner accessibility.
Fairfax Advocates for Better Bicycling hosted their annual Bike Summit Saturday, Nov. 2. Cycling and accessibility advocates examined the ways that people will be able to access the four Metrorail stations in Tysons Corner, stations that currently do not have onsite parking.