Highlights
Explore the highlights of my published work, including some of my favorite stories I've worked on. Hopefully, these stories will demonstrate my broad range of writing and reporting and showcase topics that are important to me.
The phrase “jack of all trades” gets thrown around loosely these days, but if anybody on Nantucket embodies the term it’s George Vollans, known to all as “Skip.” Vollans’ lengthy resume includes stints as a high school chemistry teacher, an electrician, a volunteer firefighter, a caretaker, and a restaurateur. But he might be best known for his longtime business's iconic name and logo: the ‘Sconset Woodman.
This story is part of a profile series I lead with photographer Charity Grace Mofsen, where we tell the stories of Nantucket Island's local community. Continue reading Skip's profile on Nantucket Current's website here.
Photo Courtesy of Charity Grace Mofsen
"Central New York is facing an unprecedented mental health crisis, with children struggling with mental health at a higher rate across the region. Onondaga County alone has a suicide rate that’s 30% higher than the rest of the state, and 15% of New Yorkers report more than 14 poor mental health days per month, according to data provided by AccessCNY, a mental health agency in Syracuse."
​
This story was written as an assignment for my senior capstone class at the S.I. Newhouse School of Public Communications at Syracuse University, and includes various multimedia elements including photo and video. With a beat focused on mental health, I told various stories about how legislation and funding is currently impacting mental health resources in Central New York. Read more on the NCC News website here.
Photo © 2024 Waverly Brannigan
"Ten hours before Borislav (Bobby) Bochev’s flight was set to depart Sofia, Bulgaria for Nantucket, he still had no place to live upon his arrival to the island. As this summer marks Bochev’s third summer participating in a J1 visa program in the United States, he is no stranger to the process. He had both housing and jobs lined up on Nantucket for months leading up to his departure date – until five days before he was scheduled to leave."
​
This story discusses the housing crisis on Nantucket Island, highlighting the story of a particular J1 visa student, Bobby, and a family who is committed to helping find housing for those who need it. Read more on Nantucket Current's website here.
Photo Courtesy of Ray Brusca
"I clutched my grandfather’s ragged photo album to my chest as I peered into the kitchen looking for my grandmother, Bà ngoai. Per usual, she hovered over a large pot, which was emitting the distinct aroma of pho throughout the house. My mind was abuzz with questions as I tiptoed towards her. I did not want to distract her from the delicate seasoning of the boiling broth, but my inquisitive 10-year-old self couldn’t wait. When I blurted out my stream of questions about Vietnam, Bà ngoai looked at me with eyes reflecting a million memories and indicated the stool beside her."
​
Although an older example of my work, this story was the essay I submitted as my personal statement for undergraduate college applications and a piece I remain very proud of, especially as it got published in Edible Jersey as a personal essay. It tells the story of how my grandmother remains connected to her home, Vietnam, and how she shares this with my family - especially through curiosity. Read more on Edible Jersey's website here.
Photo Courtesy of Sergei Mironov on Unsplash
"I’m not going to sugarcoat it– breakups are undoubtedly one of the worst things someone can go through. It’s no secret that suddenly losing someone you love can be shocking and debilitating, and while it’s okay to wallow, the next step is finding the bright side. Sounds impossible, right? But, if you ever find yourself in this situation, there’s nothing you can do except push forward with your life."
​
This piece exhibits more of my conversational, causal work in an article I wrote for University Girl Magazine at Syracuse about getting through a breakup. With this story, my goal was to use my experiences and writing to help others through some of life's more challenging moments, and when this piece was published, many people I had never met reached out, thanking me for sharing this story - and how much it helped them. Read the full story on UGirl's website here.
Graphic by Gianna Lanfrank