Education
University of Missouri, Columbia
Missouri School of Journalism
Bachelor of Journalism 2013
Emphasis in print and digital news
Minors in history and political science
Work
The Odessan & Focus on Oak Grove
Columnist 2001-Present
Intern 2005-2009
Reporter 2009-2013
News Editor 2014-Present
Columbia Missourian
Reporter Fall 2011, Fall 2012
Interactive copy editor Spring 2012
Media assistant Summer 2012
Boards & Service
MISSOURI PRESS ASSOCIATION
Board secretary, 2019
Board member, 2020-Present
National Newspaper Association Chair, 2023-Present
SHOW ME PRESS ASSOCIATION
Board member, 2018
Board president, 2019-20
ODESSA ROTARY CLUB
Member installed 2018
Interact/Youth Programs Committee Chair 2018-Present
President 2023-2024
Raised more than $6,000 in grants for local trail projects through grants and community fund distributions
ODESSA CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
Student Development Day speaker 2019 and 2024
ONWARD ODESSA STEERING COMMITTEE
Committee Member, 2017
Awards & Honors
Missouri Outstanding Young Journalist 2016 Award information
Missouri BETTER NEWSPAPER CONTEST
2024
First Place
The Odessan: Best Editorial
Best Humorous Columnist
Best Election Coverage
Second Place
The Odessan: General Excellence (staff)
Best Information Graphic
Best News or Feature Series
Third Place
Best News or Feature Series
Best Serious Columnist
Best Story About Government
2023
First Place
The Odessan: Best Feature Photo
Best Coverage of Government
Third Place
The Odessan: Tilghman Cloud Memorial Editorial Award
Best Investigative Reporting (with Joe Spaar)
2022
First Place
The Odessan: Tilghman Cloud Memorial Editorial Award
Second Place
The Odessan: Best Coverage of Government
Third Place
The Odessan: Community Service (with Ruth Ann Hafner)
COVID-19 Coverage
Best Investigative Reporting
Best Breaking News
Best Humorous Columnist
Best Feature Photograph
Honorable Mention
The Odessan: Best News or Feature Series (with Ruth Ann Hafner)
Best Investigative Reporting
Best News or Feature Special Section (Staff)
2021
First Place
The Odessan: Best Coverage of Government, Best Information Graphic
Second Place
The Odessan: Best Local Business Coverage
Third Place
The Odessan: Best Breaking News, Best Information Graphic
Honorable Mention
The Odessan: Page Design
2020
First Place
The Odessan: Best Sports Package (with Joe Spaar and Kory Hales)
Second Place
The Odessan: Best Breaking News Story
Third Place
The Odessan: Best Newspapers in Education Program, Best Sports Feature Photo, Tilghman Cloud Memorial Editorial Award
Honorable Mention
The Odessan: Best News Story
2019
Second place
The Odessan: Best Feature Photo, Best Feature Story
Third place
The Odessan: Best News Story, Best Story about Education,
Best Story about Rural Life or Agriculture
2018
First place
Focus on Oak Grove: Best News Photo, Best Breaking News Story (with Linda Ighoyivwi)
Honorable mention
The Odessan: Best Coverage of Government
Focus on Oak Grove: General Excellence (staff)
2017
First place
Focus on Oak Grove: Tilghman Cloud Memorial Editorial Award
The Odessan: Best Special Section (staff)
Second place
The Odessan: Best Coverage of Government, Best Investigative Reporting
Honorable mention
The Odessan: Best Feature Photograph, Best Humorous Columnist, Tilghman Cloud Memorial Editorial Award
2016
Second place
The Odessan: Best News Story, Best Photo Package
Third place
Focus on Oak Grove: Best photo package
The Odessan: Best Breaking News Story, Best Sports Feature Photograph
Honorable mention
Focus on Oak Grove: Best Feature Photograph
2015
Second place
Focus on Oak Grove: Best Story About Rural Life or Agriculture
The Odessan: Best Investigative Reporting
Third place
Focus on Oak Grove: Best News or Feature Series
The Odessan: Best Feature Photograph, Best Story About Education, Best Story About Rural Life or Agriculture
Honorable Mention
Focus on Oak Grove: Best Coverage of Government
The Odessan: Best Feature Story
2012
First place
Columbia Missourian: Best Coverage of Government (staff)