Writing and reporting are where my passion for journalism truly comes alive. For me, it’s about more than just telling a story—it’s about asking the right questions, finding the untold angles and connecting with people to uncover the truth. 

Writing and Reporting Experience

I have been writing for The Spartan Shield for three years, and in that time, I believe I have developed a personal journalistic style that is both bold and unique in conveying stories. I found my groove early on writing about issues related to the environment, as environmental activism has long been a passion of mine. But as journalism became an increasingly prominent force of change in my life, I realized that the topics I wrote about could transcend personal interest—and so my range grew. Now, I've reported on a slew of topics, from student activities and events at the high school to international affairs to state legislation. Below are some work samples from the last three years. 

2024-2025

I was motivated to write this article after observing the pervasive apathy toward the root causes of school shootings. My goal was to challenge readers to look beyond the headlines and consider how neglect, isolation and systemic inaction contribute to these horrifying events—and what we can do to prevent them.
The 2024 presidential election, in my eyes, was defined by a gender war that I aimed to capture in this article. By analyzing the impact of Trump’s appeal to male voters and the policy implications of Project 2025, I highlight the troubling erosion of women’s rights and the systemic challenges women face in modern America in this article. 
Environmentalism is a tenet of my beliefs that is often reflected in my work as a journalist. This cover story focused on the stagnancy of American political progress, so naturally, I chose to write about climate change legislation over the past 50 years, examining the faults and instabilities of attempts to take climate action. 
This article fit into our November cover story, which focused on healthcare issues in the United States and examined health disparity between the upper and lower classes. My article specifically touched on food quality, and the corporate greed that has caused the nutrition of our food to rapidly decline since the beginning of the Industrial Revolution. 
In examining the seven deadly sins of the digital age, I zoned in on greed among Generation Z. I examined my generation's predisposition to instant gratification in our ever-digital world, and how this has led to a rapid decline of necessary skills in the workplace and beyond. 

2023-2024

This article explores the rise of "poverty chic," a controversial fashion trend epitomized by brands like Golden Goose, which sell worn-looking clothing and accessories at premium prices. It delves into the socio-economic implications of wealthy consumers adopting aesthetics that mimic financial hardship while remaining detached from its realities. 
Among younger women, plastic surgery is on the rise, influenced by social media and celebrity culture. While the procedures can be costly and sometimes dangerous—especially for those turning to “medical tourism”—this article examines both sides of the aisle as more women turn towards embracing natural beauty and aging. 
Students and the community came together this past year to conquer the Hunger Drive, taking collective action in addressing food insecurity, highlighted in my article from last November. The goal was to shed light on the impact local high schools have in combating hunger and demonstrate how the Hunger Drive fosters teamwork and awareness within the community.
This article discusses the significant implications of Iowa's S.F. 496, one of the broadest book bans in state history. I explored the law's potential to restrict access to important works, its lack of clarity and most importantly, the challenges it poses to educators. The piece emphasizes the impact on students' ability to engage with diverse and thought-provoking material and questions the necessity and fairness of such a broad approach to censorship. 
This article explores the erosion of cultural traditions in the U.S. as communities become increasingly disconnected from their heritage. However, it also highlights how blended cultures, like those of individuals with mixed heritage, can create new traditions that reflect evolving identities, showing that culture is not fixed but fluid and adaptable. 
America's hustle culture is largely to blame for increased mental and physical health issues plaguing millions of Americans. This culture of relentless work and individual success over meaningful relationships has caused an epidemic of loneliness, particularly in the workplace and educational settings, which I examine in this article based on the 2023 U.S. Surgeon General Report. 
This article confronts the growing problem of water pollution in the U.S., focusing on the contamination of drinking water with harmful substances like PFAs, lead and industrial waste. It discusses the failure of U.S. water infrastructure, including aging systems and inadequate government enforcement, plaguing millions of Americans, especially in lower-income communities along the Mississippi.
The college admissions process has become a high-stakes game, where wealthy students have the clear upper hand, while underprivileged students face greater obstacles getting accepted with the overturning of affirmative action. I examine the state of our education system, and how what was meant to be an equalizer has instead become a system that benefits the wealthy, leaving others buried in debt.
This article, within our September cover story, examines the environmental costs of Taylor Swift's 'The Eras Tour,' confronting the true consequences of the highest-grossing tour of all time.
This article was also in the cover story, tackling the issue of online ridicule that professional athletes face as online bullying and harassment increase and examines the mental toll faced by athletes as a result. 
This cover story addresses the degradation of media in the digital age, and my article zones in on one aspect of modern media that is largely attributed to this degradation: nudity. Nudity in film is only increasing, and considering most graphic scenes depict women, many argue that film has shifted to openly objectifying women to appeal to male viewers. 

2022-2023

As one of the first articles I ever wrote, this piece tackles the much-feared subject of journalism: religion. Regardless, I aimed to address the systemic sexism of religions and how the effects of which still come into play today in modern politics and social norms. 
Amid the height of political polarization, I wrote this article addressing the effects of political polarization on climate change. I examine how policies and government actions have largely been reflective of these political wars, creating little in the way of progress. 
This article was written in response to the passing of Students First Act, a bill that allocates funding for Iowa public schools to private schools via vouchers. This article examines the conflicts surrounding this bill and the potential implications for public schools.
To read the rest of my work, please visit my profile linked here. 
Additionally, if you are having trouble reading the PDFs of print articles I provided above, I invite you to visit The Spartan Shield site to read the uploaded digital formats of our print editions linked here.