One of my favorite things about being a storyteller is that I’ve been lucky enough to write about all sorts of things: stone crabs, the art of knife-making, theater performances and hurricane recovery. From the complicated to the uncomplicated, every story deserves to be told. Every day the story is different, which has made me a versatile and organized storyteller. And no matter the subject matter, at the heart of each story is a person or an organization with a message, and I love getting to share that message with the world.
Naples Daily News (features reporter, food writer)
- ‘It’s for you that I am strong’: Inspired by daughter, woman starts music program for special-needs kids
A story about a woman’s fight to help her own daughter has turned into what will become her life work: a nonprofit organization called EndlessBrain, which provides music opportunities for children, like her daughter, who face disabilities. - World War II veteran flies again on B-24 bomber brought to Naples
I was lucky enough to fly with a group of veterans on a World War II-era plane, and I singled in on one particular veteran who piloted the same aircraft during the war. - In her journey to recovery, a domestic violence survivor found friendship in Naples
Audrey Mabrey’s husband lit her on fire seven years ago. He now faces life in prison. She now faces life with the scars. But a plastic surgeon and his wife, a fellow burn survivor, is on a mission to help her find normalcy - Chef Vincenzo Betulia’s dining empire grounded by simple, honest cooking
A new story and video series tells the story of local chefs and what inspires them to be in the kitchen. - Unbreakable brotherhood: Teen with Downs syndrome finds brotherhood in former MMA fighter
A personal trainer is on a mission to teach his young client about his abilities, not his disabilities. - Naples bladesmith finds peace in honing his craft
I found this story idea in a Naples community Facebook group. A member had posted in the group to advertise his knives, so I reached out. He ended up having a unique story and a really cool set-up.
The Wichita Eagle (intern)
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Self-taught pianist Self-taught pianist in tune with guests, volunteers at Lord’s Diner
I pursued my own story idea on a criminal-turned-pianist at the local homeless diner, shooting my own photos and video package to accompany the story. - Ranch for at-risk boys expanding
I was assigned a long-form feature on the ranch and its latest struggles. - WSU tackles seemingly potty-mouthed Minion toy
Another of my story ideas, I wrote about a technology instructor looking into the controversial Minion toy, and also packaged a video.
Flint Hills Media Project (multimedia journalist)
Summer course covering an annual event to produce web content and a magazine
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Leaving a legacy ‘Leaving a legacy’
I featured Fort Riley’s No. 2 in command, the garrison commander, and his captivating story. I was told later by his closest comrades that he has never opened up about his past during interviews like he did with me.
The Sunflower (reporter)
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Tooth trouble Tooth trouble
A dentist from WSU was on hand during a NCAA men’s basketball game to pop a player’s tooth back into place. This is the story of how it all happened, from the perspective of the dentist. I brainstormed ideas for the design package that would run on page 1. - WSU Serves Moore ‘earth-shattering’ for student volunteers
I arranged for myself and photographer to tag along on a charter bus with a group of student volunteers to Moore, Oklahoma, which had been torn apart by a tornado a month before. Together, we told the story of the trip and how one group of students tried to make a difference. - Homicide investigator, WSU instructor, dies at 59
A famed homicide investigator in Wichita, who also instructed classes at WSU, died of kidney cancer. This was an obituary story that I was assigned as a sophomore reporter.
Shelby Reynolds 