Journalism / Multimedia / Creative Writing
JOURNALISM
As an award-winning multimedia journalist, I have been published in multiple publications including Orlando Style Magazine, Tampa Style Magazine, In the Field Magazine and Narrow Magazine. My interest in creative writing has allowed me to work and contribute to a number of other publications, including the literary journal FLARE: The Flagler Review, and The Writing Disorder. The following clips are from my time at the Plant City Times & Observer, and freelance pieces from magazines.
Articles
Single mom Lisa Brown never missed a rent payment -- until her daughter, Haley, needed unexpected heart surgery. After Lisa lost both of her jobs, she and Haley were evicted from their Plant City home. Following the publication of this article, the Sunshine State Bluegrass Asosciation hosted a fundraiser for the family that yielded $3,000.
Carole Shepherd was taking her usual morning walk with her husband, Tom Shepherd, when she suffered a sudden cardiac arrest. Out of nowhere, a Good Samaritan walking his dog came to her aide -- and saved her life. After Carole made a full recovery, the Shepherds began searching for their mystery man.
After "The Good Samaritan" was published in the Plant City Times & Observer, the Shepherds' mystery man came forward. The Shepherds met the Good Samaritan, Jeff Phillips, and the rest of his family in early December 2015. The Plant City Times & Observer was able to cover the exclusive meet and greet.
Jorge Salmeron grew up as a migrant worker in Dover, just outside of Plant City. He eventually graduated from Durant High School with athletic scholarships and went on to graduate from college. Today, he is the migrant advocate at Durant, his alma mater, where he helps students facing the same challenges he overcame years ago.
There's an abundance of manufacturing companies along Airport Road in Plant City, but hiring managers are having trouble finding skilled workers. Companies are tackling the shortage with incentives for those who are willing to work.
Plant City is known as the Winter Strawberry Capital of the World, and for good reason. Each year, hundreds of thousands flock to the small town for the annual Florida Strawberry Festival. But in 2015, strawberry growers had a season full of warm weather and weird strawberries. Local growers talk about the effects of the season and what it means for the future.
Karlea Lynne Boswell-Edwards has been singing as long as she can remember. In December 2015, the Blake High School student and Bealsville resident was accepted to Berklee College of Music with a scholarship.
Once the number one hotspot in Plant City, the Red Rose Inn & Suites fell into disuse after its owners faced financial difficulties. After sitting abandoned, a buyer took interested in revitalizing the former hotel -- as a drug and rehabilitation center. In November, the City Commission approved the rezoning.
Written for Orlando Style Magzine, this article discusses remedies for insomnia, ranging from herbal cures and cutting screen time to cutting down on caffeine and liquor. The article was published in the September 2014 issue of the magazine.
Written for agricultural publication In the Field Magazine, this article focuses on Emma Stephens, a Tomlin Middle School student whose pig was declared the Grand Champion at the 2016 Florida Strawberry Festival Swine Show. 2016 was Stephens' first year ever showing a pig.
Four-member group What We Are is the result of what happens when mellow attitudes and punk lyrics are mixed in the nation's oldest city. Written for Narrow Magazine in December 2014, this band profile reviews one of the group's first performances in St. Augustine.
References
"What sets Ms. Topper apart from her peers perhaps the most, however, is the evermore-rare characteristic of taking on professional experiences ... in all of these roles, Ms. Topper continuously demonstrates exceptional leadership skills and serves as a brilliant example to her peers.
--Dr. Helena Sarkio, Professor, Flagler College Communications Department
“She's creative, she brings great ideas to the table, she pitches in wherever she's needed and, most importantly, she's a leader. People look up to her, and for good reason.”
--Brian Thompson, Flagler College Gargoyle Adviser