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My Work

Here you will find articles I've written, projects I've worked on, and events I've been involved in, as well as access to my resume which includes work history. 

Writing Samples

The Hilltop - The Nation's Oldest Black Collegiate •

Vinson Out As Howard President, Wayne Frederick Returns As Interim

Howard University announced Friday that Ben Vinson, III, Ph.D., will depart from the University on Aug. 31, becoming the president with the shortest tenure at the school in approximately 150 years.


Vinson had the shortest tenure of any president since Edward Parmelee Smith, who served six months from Dec. 1875 to June 1876. A university spokesperson declined to comment “on personnel matters,” like the intended length of Vinson’s contract. 


According to the Howard University Board of Truste...
The Hilltop - The Nation's Oldest Black Collegiate •

Black Students Reflect On Representation Following Cynthia Erivo’s Role in “Wicked”

Long before people in movie theaters saw Cynthia Erivo soaring through the air and powerfully belting in the recent film adaptation, “Wicked,” Erivo discovered the deeper significance of her role as Elphaba. 


When Karis Musongole, who played young Elphaba in the movie, arrived on set early one day, Erivo asked if the then 8-year-old actress wanted to see her fly. 


Musongole eagerly agreed and watched the crew prepare Erivo for a flight scene, securing her harness and cape and transforming...
The Hilltop - The Nation's Oldest Black Collegiate •

What Kamala Harris’ Fashion Choices Reveal About Her Campaign

When Vice President Kamala Harris formally accepted her nomination to run for president at the 2024 Democratic National Convention, her speech wasn’t the only message she delivered on stage.  


She wore a navy blue power suit designed by Chloé, a French luxury fashion house. The suit, estimated to cost over $3,000 like Chloé’s other high-end sets, was one of many similar outfits Harris has worn at events across the United States for her presidential campaign. 


Stepping onto stages in a rain...
The Hilltop - The Nation's Oldest Black Collegiate •

Vice President Harris’ Election Night Event Attracts Lines on Georgia Avenue

On Tuesday morning, the Democratic National Committee (DNC) website posted a rally on their website titled “Election Night Event with Vice President Kamala Harris in D.C.” The event will be on The Yard from 9 p.m. to 11:30 p.m. on Election Day and is available for anyone to RSVP.


People who signed up for the event said they received an email from the DNC around 2 p.m. Tuesday stating that doors for the event would open at 9 p.m. They were told to meet at Georgia Avenue and Barry Place NW, nea...
The Hilltop - The Nation's Oldest Black Collegiate •

All Divine Nine Greek Organizations Step in Centennial Show

Hundreds of students, alumni, Greek-affiliated visitors and other homecoming attendees lined up outside Burr Gymnasium last Friday night waiting to enter the sold-out step show, the first in years that all Greek organizations of the Divine Nine (D9) took to the stage. 


As the doors opened at 7 p.m., ticket collectors let in the crowd that soon packed the gym’s bleachers and rows of chairs on the floor in front of the stage.


Tyla’ Woods, a junior marketing major, served as co-coordinator fo...
The Hilltop - The Nation's Oldest Black Collegiate •

Sandlot D.C. Is Coming To Shaw

Two years ago, CVS vacated its location down the street from Howard on Florida and Georgia Ave, leaving the building abandoned. Now, Ian Callender, a D.C. native with a passion for revitalization, wants to bring the empty building back to life. 


“The moment that they vacated and we saw the sign come off, I said this might be the opportunity to do something,” Callender said.


His new project, Sandlot Uptown, aims to transform the deserted lot into an event space where Howard students and the...
The Hilltop - The Nation's Oldest Black Collegiate •

STRUT The Yard Documentary Sheds Light on Models’ Mental Health

Quiet excitement filled the crowded screening room in the Village Cafe on Friday as the lights dimmed. Dressed for the red carpet theme and holding complimentary popcorn and mimosas, the audience for the “STRUT The Yard: The Documentary” premiere witnessed the product of months of hard work. 


Although the Howard STRUT The Yard Springfest Fashion Show was in April, the work started two summers before that. Shaw Bernard, founder and CEO of STRUT Models, contacted senior broadcast journalism maj...
The Hilltop - The Nation's Oldest Black Collegiate •

Howard MFA Students Showcase Films and Fundraise for Upcoming Thesis Project

In Bloom Bars, a small performing arts venue on 11th Street in D.C., almost hidden by decorative plants and flowers, people gathered last week to celebrate Howard Masters in Fine Arts (MFA) students by watching short films and raising money for an upcoming project.


“Paralysis by Analysis” is a short film that will serve as the thesis project for three film thesis candidates in the two-year program, Jolene Carter, Savannah Summerlin and Chris Cumber. 


Carter, the director, wrote the film wi...
Simply Sydney •

Exploring the Self Through Writing

As midterms approach and students receive more coursework, their stress levels increase, leaving them less time to take care of themselves and nurture their sense of self. College is widely recognized as a time to learn academically, but many also acknowledge it as a time to discover one’s identity as a young person. 


In this climate, students on Howard University’s campus seek outlets and ways to express themselves. Some of them, like sophomore media, journalism, and film major Nylen Brewing...
The Hilltop - The Nation's Oldest Black Collegiate •

“Rage Bait” is making users mad and content creators money

As Fatumata Dia scrolled through her TikTok feed, she paused on a seemingly harmless makeup video from content creator Meredith Duxbury. 


In the video, Duxbury attempts to dot her face with 1,000 drops of foundation.


More than a minute passed before the sophomore international affairs major realized there was no point to the video. Duxbury had drawn her into watching what’s known as a “rage bait” video.


Rage bait, or content intended to get an emotional reaction out of people through pr...
The Hilltop - The Nation's Oldest Black Collegiate •

Pop Culture Takes Center Stage at the 2024 Democratic National Convention

The 2024 Democratic National Convention (DNC), which took place from Aug.19-22, featured not only politicians and the families of both Democratic presidential candidate Kamala Harris and vice presidential candidate Tim Walz but a notable number of entertainment industry figures.


Actress Kerry Washington, singer John Legend, actress and writer Mindy Kaling and talk show host Stephen Colbert each hosted a different night of the convention. There were also several performances from artists like...
The Hilltop - The Nation's Oldest Black Collegiate •

Students Return to D.C. Amidst Record-Breaking Summer Heat

This year, Washington, D.C. experienced the second hottest summer ever recorded. As of Aug.15, more than 40 days hit 90 degrees, many of which had a heat index of 100 degrees or more. Some parts of the city likely felt even hotter, including the Park View neighborhood, just north of Howard University’s campus.


The Daily Temperature Data chart shows the range of observed temperatures in the Washington, D.C., area in 2024 and the range of normal temperature observations.


According to a study...
The Puma Press •

Fundamental Funding

The Puma Fund team expresses gratitude for parents and guardians with music, signs and treats. “We do our morning rallies out front with a bunch of our parent volunteers,” annual giving manager Catherine McNutt said. “It’s just something fun, a thank you, knowing our parent community does so much.” Photo Courtesy: Abby Formella

Weekday mornings can be dreary. Families arrive at school after being stuck in traffic, packed like sardines onto I-5 while clinging to their coffee cups. However, frown
The Puma Press •

You’re Spitting Facts, Bro

History teacher Pat Grant is now aware that “tea” can describe both a hot, flavored drink and hot gossip.

While many current University Prep students know class of 2024 dean Pat Grant as a history teacher, they may not know he once danced his way to victory.

Imagine it’s Traditions Week in 2016. You’re a student participating in Dancing with the Stars, a competition across grades, and you choose Grant to be your dance partner. Against all the odds, you win.

While referring to your win in his
The Puma Press •

Missing from Your Morning

You awaken to your stomach growling ravenously. Stumbling out of bed, you somehow manage to find your way to the kitchen. What is that heavenly smell? You’re amazed to see the vibrant spread on the dining room table. Ah, breakfast. The most important meal of the day.

With breakfast, you are not forced to decide between sweet and savory foods. Pancakes and fruits meet eggs and sausage to deliver everything your taste buds may be looking for.

Lunch and dinner are not only limited by their versat
The Puma Press •

Heroes in Our Community

Mollie Kauffman, head of primary and same-day care at a University of Washington clinic, wears a mask, face shield and gloves to evaluate a patient with respiratory symptoms. Kauffman is one of several UPrep parents working in the fight against COVID-19.

From enforced social distancing to shuttered businesses and spiking death tolls, COVID-19 has interrupted daily life across society. Few, however, are in a professional position to directly partake in the fight against the virus.

Some Universi
The Puma Press •

Student Activism Contributes to Sex-Ed Law

Sophomore Tessa Peterson lobbied for the comprehensive seuxal education bill in Olympia over MLK Day weekend with Teen Council, part of Planned Parenthood. Following the bill’s passage, by the 2022-2023 school year all public schools in Washington state will be required to teach comprehensive sexual education in all grades.

On March 27, Governor Jay Inslee signed a bill requiring public school districts to teach comprehensive sexual education in all grades. Members of the University Prep commun
The Puma Press •

Row Row Row Your Boat

Freshman Mia Predmore rows with her crew team from Pocock Rowing Center on Lake Union.

“It’s kind of hard to stop, I guess. It’s kind of like an addicting sport, I think, for a lot of people, including me,” said sophomore Jordan Dykema.

Dykema is talking about the popular water sport crew, officially called rowing. Rowing involves a race between two or more teams where athletes sit in boats and use an oar to paddle backwards.

From volleyball to basketball to track, University Prep offers seve
The Puma Press •

The Streaming War

The release of Disney+ created buzz on social media for general TV watchers and Disney lovers alike, and students can now be seen watching their Disney favorites during free periods or community time.

Even with the stresses that come with being a student at University Prep, students still have free time throughout the day inside and outside of school. This time is commonly spent playing games, hanging out with friends and watching TV.

TV streaming services are a common way to watch TV shows an
The Puma Press •

Dinnertime Debates

The holidays are just around the corner and along with pumpkin pie and endless remarks on your height from relatives, comes the often inevitable dinnertime political discussion.

For families like freshman Talia LeVine’s, political conversations are nothing new.

“[Politics] are like 90% of our conversation at the dinner table,” she said.

While LeVine describes most of her family as Democratic, she admits she is more left-leaning than her parents and brother.

“I think [my family] is a little m

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Resume

Public Speaking, Performances, Podcasts

The Seattle Medium •

Podcast: Journalist Sydney Goitia-Doran Shares Her Career Journey With Seattle Medium

Sydney Goitia-Doran, a rising junior at Howard University, recently concluded an internship with the Seattle Medium newspaper, where she engaged in reporting community-focused news and integrated into the editorial team. Her experience included discussions on the significance and influence of journalism, particularly within the context of the Black Press. 


Interview by Chris B. Bennett

Sydney Goitia-Doran, a rising junior at Howard University, recently concluded an internship with the Seattl...
The Seattle Medium •

Podcast: Kyla Marks Achieves Debt-Free Dental Degree With $700,000 In Scholarships

Kyla Marks is poised to achieve her goal of becoming a dentist by age 25, graduating without debt thanks to securing over $700,000 in scholarships for her undergraduate and dental education. Her journey underscores the significance of determination and community support in overcoming financial barriers to higher education. The Seattle Medium’s Summer Intern Sydney Goitia-Doran has the story.


Interview by Chris B. Bennett.

Kyla Marks is poised to achieve her goal of becoming a dentist by age...

Graphic Design

I have experience with Canva, Adobe Illustrator, and Adobe Indesign. I redesigned the templates my school newspaper uses during my senior year.