Resume
EXPERIENCE
The Palm Beach Post | West Palm Beach, Florida | August 2002 to present
Social services and public health reporter
Investigated Florida’s disaster food stamp program after Hurricane Wilma. Dominated the national story of the state’s attempt to stop a 13-year-old foster child from having an abortion. Told the story of a boy living in a psychiatric hospital. Revealed that centers for juvenile offenders hired hundreds of workers with histories of incompetence and abuse. Added public health to the beat in October 2007.
The Palm Beach Post | Port St. Lucie, Florida | January 2002 to August 2002
Police and courts reporter
Covered breaking news and criminal, civil and federal courts in a bureau. Reported the story of a doctor charged with manslaughter in the prescription drug deaths of her patients. Competed alone against three reporters from other papers and often wrote several stories a day to keep The Post out front.
The Palm Beach Post | Stuart, Florida | September 2000 to January 2002
Education and government reporter
Covered a school district and the town of Jupiter Island, one of the nation’s richest. Used statistical analysis to show how schools with the wealthiest students got the largest share of state bonus money for test scores.
The News & Observer | Raleigh, North Carolina | Summer 2000
Metro desk intern
Cape Times | Cape Town, South Africa | Summer 1999
General assignment intern
The New York Times | Atlanta, Georgia | Summer 1998
Intern
AWARDS
American Association of Sunday and Feature Editors
Second place, general feature
2006 Excellence in Feature Writing Contest
‘Patrick’s disease made him a mystery. Even to himself’
Casey Journalism Center on Children and Families
Runner-up, single story category
2005 Casey Medals for Meritorious Journalism
‘Revolving door for fired workers’
Investigative Reporters and Editors
Finalist, Freedom of Information Award
2004 Investigative Reporting Contest
‘Revolving door for fired workers’
Casey Journalism Center on Children and Families
Winner, single story category
2004 Casey Medals for Meritorious Journalism
‘Saving Isaiah’
Education Writers Association
First place, news feature of issue package
2001 National Awards for Education Writing
‘Study: FCAT more a measure of wealth than performance’
Florida Press Club
First place, education writing
2002 Excellence in Journalism Contest
Collected stories
EDUCATION
Emory University | Atlanta, Georgia | May 2000
Bachelor’s degree with highest honors in history and English. Won two state feature writing awards and led Emory’s student newspaper to a national Associated Collegiate Press Pacemaker Award as editor-in-chief. Wrote thesis on school desegregation in one suburban Atlanta county.