Journalism

A sample of Boston Globe, freelance, and student journalism stories. I wrote or co-wrote everything except the headlines. Shoutout to my editors for those.

Pickleball popularity surging in Somerset Hills area

On a hot summer day in Bainbridge Island, Wash., three fathers found that their kids were bored with their usual summer activities. The dads had badminton courts to play on, but no proper equipment to use.

They decided to improvise by playing with ping pong paddles and a perforated plastic ball. Soon, in 1965, the sport of pickleball was created. It was reportedly named after a dog named Pickles, who would chase balls out of play.

Newton South soccer player follows in family’s footsteps - The Boston Globe

Despite all the changes, Stephens said, he noticed improvement in the team this year and is excited to see what they can accomplish next fall. He has one more season of high school soccer, he said, and his goal is for the team to make the state playoffs.

Daniel Stephens didn’t expect to be living in a pandemic as he followed in the footsteps of his two older brothers, serving as one of three captains of Newton South High School’s varsity boys soccer team. Stephens said receiving the title of ca

In Newton, solemn reminder of the lives lost during COVID-19 pandemic - The Boston Globe

Mayor Ruthanne Fuller released a statement on Nov. 24 sharing her thoughts on the memorial prior to Thanksgiving. She said she understands the hardships families have been going through in her city and hopes the chairs prompt reflection and motivate residents to stay safe.

Newton is placing empty chairs — 157 as of Sunday — on the City Hall lawn to commemorate residents who died of COVID-19 and to serve as a reminder to follow safety guidelines and wear masks.

Rows of chairs outside Newton Cit

Newton athletic teams adjust to realities of the pandemic - The Boston Globe

“The kids have responded,” Giusti said. “They’ve stepped up; they follow the directions.”

Newton North Athletic Director Thomas Giusti said that in his experience, student-athletes have adjusted well despite the changes.

Despite the COVID-19 pandemic, some varsity programs at Newton high schools are finding ways to resume playing and continue practicing — even garnering the attention of college scouts and recruiters. And those teams sidelined due to the pandemic are eager to get back into the

New Art Center in Newton reopens its doors - The Boston Globe

Residents were excited to get back to in-person art classes, O’Neil said, and the Art Center has not had any issues with people following safety guidelines.

The Center’s location in a church from the 1800s posed a unique challenge, but Executive Director Emily O’Neil said they went “above and beyond” to meet all safety guidelines.

The New Art Center in Newton has reopened its doors to the public, offering socially distanced classes from woodworking for kids to stained glass workshops for adult

BU lacrosse, softball coaches face challenges to stay in touch with teams virtually – The Daily Free Press

Two Boston University teams had potential breakout 2020 seasons ahead of them that came to abrupt stops due to the coronavirus pandemic. Now, they’re facing new challenges.

BU softball (14-8) coach Ashley Waters, BU men’s lacrosse (3-3, 1-0 Patriot League) coach Ryan Polley and BU women’s lacrosse (3-3) coach Lauren Morton are finding ways to keep a distanced team together through virtual means after the NCAA announced all spring sports would be canceled March 12.

Men’s lacrosse picked up a wi

Boston highways becoming more crowded as safety on public transit remains neglected

Traffic forming on the Massachusetts Turnpike near Allston, Mass. prior to rush-hour on Dec. 12, 2019. Photo by Nick Telesmanic/BU News Service

BOSTON – Whether it be by car or by public transit, commuting in the Hub is among one of the worst, studies and experts say.

According to the 2010 U.S. Census, 80% of the United States population resides in metropolitan areas, which account for only 26% of the country’s land. A November 2019 study from Clever, an online real estate referral service, ex

Boston Public School wellness report finds percent of students vaping cut in half

Boston Public School officials discusses vaping and marijuana use at a committee meeting in Roxbury on Wed. Oct. 30, 2019. Photo by Nick Telesmanic/ BU News Service

BOSTON — Boston Public School officials presented a revelatory report Wednesday night in Roxbury that showed the percentage of students in the district vaping dropped by approximately half between 2015 and 2017.

Jill Carter, the assistant superintendent of the Social-Emotional Learning and Wellness (SEWell) and Maryka Lier, the ass

After a memorable sophomore year, netminder Corrine Schroeder ready to fortify BU net – The Daily Free Press

The No. 7 ranked Boston University women’s hockey team had an impressive showing in the 2018-19 season. Despite starting that year 1-3-3, BU managed to catch fire around late November, winning their first Beanpot title since 1981 and finishing third in Hockey East.

There were a lot of gears that were spinning in order for the Terriers to achieve what they did. Having Sammy Davis and Jesse Compher in the first line was the offensive spark the team needed.

Defensively, however, junior goaltender

20 Questions with women’s soccer senior Shannon Keefe – The Daily Free Press

The Boston University women’s soccer team (2-5-1) has been doing some home cooking. Not only have they won two straight games at Nickerson Field, but they also performed well on the defensive end, something BU head coach Nancy Feldman believed the team really needed to work on following the last time they lost a game against the University of Connecticut.

To get an inside look at a veteran member of this upward-trending club, senior forward Shannon Keefe sat down to discuss her fourth year unde

5-year-old Patrick Mahoney signs with men’s lacrosse – The Daily Free Press

The Boston University men’s lacrosse team has a new, young face on their roster.

The Terriers signed 5-year-old Patrick Mahoney on Monday as the newest member of the program. The Jamaica Plain native’s signing was made possible through the work of Team IMPACT, a nonprofit organization that connects children facing serious, chronic illnesses with college sports teams.

Mahoney, who is currently battling brain cancer, will wear the number four with the Terriers. He will be on the sidelines at gam

One for the record books: Women’s hockey takes home first Beanpot title since 1981 – The Daily Free Press

The No. 7 Boston University women’s hockey team claimed the 2019 Beanpot title with a 3-2 win over Harvard University Tuesday night. This is the Terriers’ first Beanpot win since 1981, before the team was a varsity program.

“It’s been a long time coming,” BU head coach Brian Durocher said. “Needless to say that we’re all excited that the monkey’s off the back. … I couldn’t be prouder of this team.”

Both the Terriers (17-6-7, 13-5-5 Hockey East) and the Crimson (10-12-3, 8-8-2 ECAC) came into t

Notebook: Women’s hockey formula for success in 2nd half – The Daily Free Press

There was no easy way to determine how Boston University women’s hockey would perform in their 2018-19 campaign.

On one hand, BU got redshirt junior Sammy Davis back after she was sidelined with an injury through all of the 2017-18 season. On the other hand, the team lost key leaders in alumni forwards Rebecca Leslie and Natalie Flynn and alumna defender Alexis Miller. New pieces needed to be put in place, and new leaders needed to step up.

The Terriers were stifled at home in their first game

After missing last season, Sammy Davis serves as leader for women’s hockey – The Daily Free Press

Before the beginning of the 2018–19 season for Boston University women’s hockey, redshirt junior forward Sammy Davis was selected by her teammates to be one of the team’s three captains, along with senior defender Reagan Rust and junior forward Natasza Tarnowski.

However, Davis’ journey to becoming a captain of the women’s hockey team was atypical, as she did not serve her role as captain until one year after she was selected.

According to BU head coach Brian Durocher, while Davis was elected

Rookie skipper Cora leads Boston Red Sox to World Series Championship – The Daily Free Press

Start spreading the news: the Boston Red Sox are the 2018 World Series champions.

In Game 5 of the World Series, the Red Sox defeated the Los Angeles Dodgers 5-1 at Dodger Stadium Sunday night, allowing them to win the World Series 4-1 in games.

With Game 5 approaching Sunday night, the Red Sox were leading the series 3-1.

Boston started David Price, a starting pitcher who has been silencing critics of his past postseason performances: Price made a total of nine postseason starts before this