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
Reston Town Center Gives Taste of Reston
More than 20 vendors show off signature dishes at annual festival.
Paul Jones of Reston has one secret to success when it comes to the annual Taste of Reston festival: where there’s smoke, there’s food.
Viewpoints: South Lakes High School Graduation
Where are you headed in the fall and where do you see yourself in 10 years?
South Lakes Seniors Graduate
Class of 2013 features 104 International Baccalaureate, 119 honor graduates.
The South Lakes High School Class of 2013 gathered for the final time as students at the school, leaving the building that evening, Friday, June 14, as South Lakes alumni.
New Healthcare Facility Opens in Herndon
Clinic is first in Fairfax County to receive Affordable Healthcare Act funding.
HealthWorks for Northern Virginia opened a new healthcare center in Herndon Tuesday, June 11, the first such facility in Fairfax County that will receive funding from the federal government via the Affordable Healthcare Act.
Herndon Garden Tour Set for June 23
Annual tour features four local gardens.
The Herndon Garden Tour will be held Sunday, June 23 from noon to 4 p.m. The annual tour will feature four local residences and allow visitors to explore and learn about their gardens.
McLean Central Park Draft Plan Presented
Draft plan features new access points, amphitheater.
The Fairfax County Park Authority presented a draft of the Master Plan revision for McLean Central Park Monday, June 8 at the McLean Community Center.
Great Falls Elementary School Students Heading to Japan
Great Falls Elementary students take two-week trip to Japan.
Several Great Falls Elementary students will be spending the first part of their summer vacation in Japan, as part of an exchange program. While on the trip, they will visit various locales in the country, including a visit with Prime Minister Shinzo Abe.
CAR Hosts Annual Flag Day Ceremony in Great Falls
More than 60 worn and damaged flags "retired" June 14.
While the burning of the American flag is often used as a form of protest or rejection of what it stands for, the United States Code also says that burning is the proper way to dispose of damaged or worn flags.
Great Falls Elementary Schools Receive Donations
Celebrate Great Falls donates to three local elementary schools.
Celebrate Great Falls presented the parent teacher groups for the three Great Falls elementary schools, Colvin Run, Forestville and Great Falls, a check for $7,104.46 Tuesday, June 11.
Update on Proposed Great Falls TD Bank
Final submission to county planning commission made.
Representatives for TD Bank presented the latest on the proposed Great Falls branch, which would be located at the site of the former Exxon station at the corner of Georgetown Pike and Walker Road. This was the sixth such meeting hosted by the Great Falls Citizens Association.