My favorite thing about being a journalist is that every story is different. One day, you’re in a courtroom hearing about literal life and death stuff, and the next, you might be behind the controls of ground-penetrating radar trying to find the remains of George Washington’s mom.
While the job might be thankless at times, it’s never boring. Here are some of my favorite pieces from what was a wild first year at the Free Press.
In Afghanistan, old forces threaten girls’ education. She represents a new school of thought.
1. Hearing about the day the Taliban entered Kabul — from someone who was there — is something I’ll never forget. Nargis Zadran is such a memorable person, and the impact she’s making for girls in her home country is nothing short of inspiring. Several months after reporting this story, I was fortunate enough to meet one of them.
2. I like learning things about the place I live, good and bad. So, while it was upsetting (if unsurprising) to learn that a historically-Black neighborhood in Fredericksburg was chosen as the local route for an underground petroleum pipeline 60 years ago, it was heartening to learn that current city and civic leaders are doing their best to educate residents about the environmental injustice.
For this piece, I shadowed the NAACP’s Sabrina Johnson as she canvassed homes in Mayfield; members of the city fire department loaded up into their emergency vehicles and did the same.
How a Stafford mom helped pass a law that pays caregivers of disabled children
3. Too often, laws are shaped by lobbies and money. It was refreshing to hear how one local resident — Stafford mom Emily Sagle — was able to influence legislation with the power of her experiences as a caregiver for her profoundly autistic son.
Coldest Night of the Year asks walkers to ‘look closer’ at homelessness
4. “Walk a mile in someone’s shoes” is a cliche, right? But I had that chance back in February as I took a stroll with Caitlin Fricker and her family through downtown Fredericksburg. The Coldest Night of the Year is an event intended to bring attention to the plight of the unhoused.
As we walked the streets, Fricker showed me places where she once slept, or waited for meals or rides to the cold-weather shelter. I could also see how well she’s doing now, after receiving services from Micah Ecumenical Ministries and getting sober.
5. I could’ve picked any number of our stories from a national protest movement that ultimately reached the University of Mary Washington, my alma mater. But this one struck me as the most substantive. UMW junior Amirah Ahmed told me why she was setting up an encampment in support of justice in Palestine — a cause she and 11 others felt so strongly about, that they ultimately chose to be arrested rather than give it up.
In the aftermath of the arrests in April, I also learned a lot about how our government works.
Honorable mentions
At James Monroe, support for injured lacrosse player burns brightly
After years of planning, supporters hope Jeremiah Community has found its home
Fredericksburg postal workers aim to stamp out support for tentative agreement
‘Party like he’d want us to’: Friends, family of Tyler Jones toast to a life cut short
‘Lots’ of contention as residents, developers and city staff weigh in on Mary’s Landing project
UMW, Washington Heritage Museum team up to resolve grave concerns
Jury in Fredericksburg murder trial shown video depicting shooting scene
Concerned community members rally to ‘save the Moss Free Clinic’
