FEATURE STORIES

The beauty of feature stories is the way they highlight people who otherwise wouldn't be heard, shedding light on a perspective that wasn't obvious to see. Each time I interview someone for a feature, I watch all the pieces fall into place as if they had been waiting for this moment to occur. These types of stories make me feel accomplished as I'm able to show my audience the unique and moving things that are happening right beneath their noses. In this section, you will see my best stories that dive deeper than what's seen on the surface, uncovering the impactful moments in everyday life.

READ STORY HERE

No Need to Whisper When Reading to Whisper the Dog

Each month, the Kitsap Regional Library in Silverdale hosts a "Read to a Dog" event, where families can spend their evening reading to furry friends. I found out about this event the same day I went to cover it, so my understanding on it wasn't as fully-fledged compared to usual. However, when I walked into the library and started my interviews, I knew it would be the best story I've written so far.

With each interview came puzzle pieces to the larger image, that this event wasn't just connecting families, but teaching children to read and helping people with dyslexia. The dogs present weren't just any dogs; they were certified service animals to help ease the embarrassment and stress around learning to read, creating a safe environment for mistakes. I was able to turn this story around the next day, where it was later awarded Best of SNO, a recognition given to outstanding stories through our website host, School Newspapers Online.

This article showed me that I'm capable of writing quickly while maintaining quality, and because of this realization, I now apply this skill to each story I start.

The award I received from School Newspapers Online for my excellence in writing.

How HOSA Helps to Contribute to Real World Issues While Connecting Students to the Community They're Within

During my sophomore year, I was challenged by my adviser to participate in one of WJEA's competitions, and with peer support, I signed up for the advanced submission, team project category. Following the guidelines, we were instructed to find ways students give to their community, which led us to our HOSA club. Whether it be donating blood to local hospitals, or preparing students for health-related careers, members of the club continued to find opportunities each year that would benefit people both in and out of our school.

One bump in the road we hit while writing this story was the collaborative aspect, as I realized working with others is more difficult than I thought. While having two eyes on the page has its benefits, like catching errors, we both wanted the story to look a specific way. With only a week to write the story, we proposed compromises and tried our best to meet each other in the middle when it came to making decisions.

This article, and us being awarded superior for our work, was a turning point in my career as a student journalist. I realized that I'm not only a good writer, but that it's something I enjoy doing. I get to meet new people, get to see their perspective of things, and write an article that amplifies their voice while contributing to a larger story. I had found my passion, and from this article onwards it has only grown.

READ STORY HERE

After writing this story, the Superintendent of the Central Kitsap School District, Dr. Erin Prince, mailed me the letter above.

The award I received during the WJEA Spring Conference at Arlington High School.

Community Support Helps Local Cat Lounge Become a Reality

Over the summer of 2025, I wanted to keep my writing skills fresh, so I reached out to Kitsap Daily News and partook in my first ever unpaid internship. With the freedom to choose my assignment, I decided to write a feature about Ziggy's Cat Lounge, focusing on the unique connection formed with the community of Kitsap County. Talking with the owners, I was able to uncover the role the public played in their opening.

Talking with the humane society, I truly understood the importance that Ziggy's serves, relieving the overcrowded shelter of cats. Talking with an artist, I saw the different events the lounge hosts, helping to bring people together one cat at a time. The hardest part of this article was getting myself to draft it, as I struggled with the pressure of perfection.

I wanted to show the professional publication what I am capable of, and if that was going to happen, I had to make my article error free while maintaining flow without repetition. The process of this article taught me one thing I still struggle with, which is to draft the story first, then worry about polishing it.

READ STORY HERE

After sending my completed story to the editor of Kitsap Daily News, I received this email back.