While working as an Editorial Intern at The Boca Raton Observer, I was responsible for bi-weekly articles in the Editor's Corner. I researched, pitched and completed all stories on my own in addition to conducting, transcribing and breaking down interviews for mutliple stories.
Interview-Based
"Cancer Survivor Marc Julien Races Across America"
March 2021
Delray Beach-Cyclist Raises Big Money for Pediatric Cancer Research
Over the previous five months, unbeknownst to him, there had been metastatic squamous cell carcinoma growing in Julien’s neck. Merely three weeks after Ella’s birth, just as he was getting to know his daughter and relishing in the beginning stages of fatherhood, Julien was diagnosed with Stage 4 cancer in his left lymphoid and tonsil — a diagnosis he feared would end his life just as his daughter was beginning hers.
March 2021
"Come As You Are"
Welcome to Prosperity, Boca’s Neighborhood Brewery
Besides the art, what’s really important here is the intentional focus on making everyone feel welcome. “Part of our marketing and brand strategy before we opened was ‘Come as you are,’” Peri says. “It doesn’t matter if you’re having dinner at one of the local restaurants in Boca and you stop by for a beer before or after, it doesn’t matter if you’re on your way home from the beach and you’re in sandy flip flops or just riding your bike around the neighborhood – just come as you are.” When you visit, you’ll notice that it’s rare to see somebody walk into Prosperity that’s not instantly greeted and already on a first name basis with the owners and staff.
Journalism Portfolio
Monkey Tongue Magazine
Pure Honey
Harvard Magazine
Harvardwood Highlights
The Harvard Crimson
The Garden Isle
The Boca Raton Observer
ROVA Magazine
March 2021
January 2021
"10-Mile Linear Park, Urban Trail and Public Art Destination Comes to Miami"
"Organization Breaks Cycles of Abuse and Homelessness"
Phase 1 of The Underline Open to The Public
Next on the docket for urban environmentalism is Miami with its grand debut of Phase 1 of The Underline. This innovative project is going to serve as a global example of how to repurpose unused land in a way that will help the environment and bring the community together. The 10-mile linear park will run below Miami’s Metrorail — from the Miami River to Dadeland South Station — and, once completed, will be a cultural hub and a gathering space filled with public art installations, free community programs (Zumba, anyone?), dining spaces, basketball courts and recreation areas.
Place of Hope Gives New Futures to Youth and Families in Need
Shows like “Parenthood” and “The Fosters” have publicized and helped normalize the idea of foster homes in recent years by giving a somewhat idealized look into the world of foster care. Less romantic, however, are the real-life statistics that define the foster care community: In the United States alone, the number of children in foster care has far surpassed the 400,000 mark and according to Child Trends, a research organization serving vulnerable children and youth, as of 2019 there were 426,749 children in foster care – about 24,500 of which are located in our home state of Florida.
November 2020
March 2021
"Spirited Women"
Meet the Talented Team Behind Zacapa Rum
Though the taste of Zacapa is incredibly dynamic, the story behind this brand of rum is where the real flavor lies. The magic can be attributed to Lorena Vásquez, the orchestrator of the Zacapa Rum experience. “When I’m toasting, I always raise my glass with my left hand, which is closest to the heart,” Vásquez explains. “It is a continuation of the passion that goes into the rum and wanting deeply to share it with the people around me.” A master blender, she is one of just a handful of women with this prestigious title in the predominately male-dominated spirits industry.
"Six Boca Raton Teenagers Are On Their Way To Becoming Lone Soldiers"
“I decided to serve in the IDF [Israeli Defense Force] because I felt it was important for me to do something important and meaningful. My entire family also served in the IDF and I see it as an important responsibility to keep the family services going and give my part to the country.”
These are the words of 19-year-old May Sela, a recent graduate of American Heritage High School in Boca Raton, as she explained why she decided to join the IDF as a Lone Soldier for the next few years.
Six Boca Raton Natives And Soon-To-Be Lone Soldiers To Be Drafted By The End Of The Month
We all know Boca is full of fine dining and top-notch restaurants, but I think it’s finally time to talk about the most important part of the meal: dessert! Next time you find yourself in need of something sweet, skip that boring bowl of ice cream and go for a dessert you’re going to remember.
"Treat Yo' Self"
Indulge Yourself at These Local Dessert Spots
January 2021
Travel-Style
"A Hidden Oasis in Our Own Backyard"
January 2021
Get a Taste of the Everglades at Loxahatchee National Wildlife Refuge
From the moment I entered the visitor’s center during my own visit, I was welcomed with warm arms by a friendly park ranger. I was encouraged to purchase a year pass for $25, versus a $10 day pass, and was even spotted the extra $3 after not having enough cash on me. (Tip: entry fees are cash-only unless you download the app, so bring some change with you.)
"Itching to Travel?"
Try Reading Your Way Around the World
After a year of wistfully browsing images of dream destinations from Travel and Leisure and Condé Nast Traveler, most of us are feeling the urge to pack up and run away to faraway lands. As our eagerness grows, however, we still haven’t found ourselves in a world where international travel has once again been deemed safe. Be that as it may, we still have the opportunity to dream of future trips and fervently add destinations to our bucket list.
April 2021
January 2021
"Calling All Coffee Lovers"
Four Cool Spots in Boca to Get Your Next Cup of Joe
If you’re looking for chic, hip coffee shops and cafes like those found in the bustling urban centers of Boston, Miami and New York, you’re in luck.
Boca offers some really great, unique coffee shops just waiting to be discovered.
March 2021
"10th Annual Downtown West Palm Beach Art Festival Returns"
December 2020
The Socially-Distanced, Outdoor Event Returns to Rosemary Square from Dec. 5-6
Having been an artist for years, he understands firsthand how the COVID-19 pandemic has severely impacted the income stream of others like him throughout the country. “Artists, in particular, have suffered. Especially those of us who depend on the art festival scene as a main source of income,” Fradis says.
"Delray Beach Market Slated to Open This Spring"
The 150,000-Square-Foot Market Will House Over 25 Vendors
Any true foodie will tell you that their travels are defined by the cuisine they eat — the restaurants they visit, the street food they sample and the ambiance they enjoy during the process. From Faneuil Hall in Boston to Sarona Market in Tel Aviv, I’ve made it a point to visit the food halls that define every major city I’ve wandered through during my own travels. However, thanks to the upcoming Delray Beach Market, instead of traveling around the globe to find a remarkable food experience, come April we’ll need only go a half-block off of Atlantic Avenue instead.