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 Committee Chair 2018-Present
President 2023-2024
ODESSA CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
Student Development Day speaker 2019
ONWARD ODESSA STEERING COMMITTEE
Committee Member, 2017
Awards & Honors
Missouri Outstanding Young Journalist 2016 Award information
Missouri BETTER NEWSPAPER CONTEST
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)