EXPERIENCE
I'm a multimedia journalist with a passion for sharing untold stories. I'm seeking a position in a newsroom where I can make a difference in the community by reporting. I'm experienced in covering breaking news, crime and government. My background in print, web, TV and radio makes me an ideal candidate for any medium.
EXPERIENCE
August 2019 - December 2019
INVESTIGATIVE INTERN, THE WASHINGTON POST
During high stakes opioid litigation, I found newly unsealed exhibits like company’s internal memos and emails that The Post used to report on how the companies were able to ship massive amounts of pills across the country. I also interviewed families of people who died from overdoses for a data-driven project about the opioid crisis.
May 2019 - July 2019
INTERN, INVESTIGATIVE REPORTING WORKSHOP
Employing strong research and reporting skills, I covered diverse topics of national concern, including a series on states' legislation on controversial topics from immigration to marijuana. I worked in The Washington Post newsroom on their larger investigative projects. I was responsible for tracking immigration news in an interactive timeline and writing blog posts and newsletters.
January 2019 - May 2019
CAPITOL CORRESPONDENT, WUFT NEWS
I reported on the 2019 legislative session in Tallahassee, Florida along with a team of five other student journalists working in the Tampa Bay Times-Miami Herald bureau. Each reporter developed and produced investigative reporting on state agencies and the legislative branch to be published by the Associated Press and news media across the state. We coordinated breaking news coverage of legislative decisions.
January 2019 - May 2019
MULTIMEDIA STORYTELLER, WUFT NEWS
Working with a team, I planned and executed an episodic documentary series and multimedia website story about the mental health effects of hurricanes on America’s Southeast communities. I was tasked with writing web content, filming interviews and sourcing throughout a large geographical area from Houston, Texas to Key West, Florida. I played a key role in developing the multimedia aspects of our web design, including in-text audio quotes and interactive graphics.
August 2018 - December 2018
EDITOR-IN-CHIEF, THE INDEPENDENT FLORIDA ALLIGATOR
I lead a staff of 40 students at one of the largest student newspapers in the country. I focused on making digital-first more than just a buzzword in the newsroom by re-developing staff structure and the schedule we follow. I planned 24/7 online news coverage and maintained strong print coverage three days a week. I created new opportunities for our student journalists to get involved in storytelling, including applying for and receiving the Poynter College Media Project and creating teams within the newsroom that focused on three key subjects: podcasts, audience engagement and digital projects.
Past positions: Desk Editor (Aug. 2017 - April 2018); Crime Reporter (Jan. 2017 - April 2017); General Assignment Reporter (Jan. 2016 - April 2016)
June 2018 - August 2018
METRO/GENERAL ASSIGNMENT INTERN, SOUTH FLORIDA SUN SENTINEL
I reported and wrote dailies that pertained to the South Florida community on a range of topics from civil court cases to obituaries to government watchdog reporting. In addition to completing daily assignments, I went above and beyond, seeking enterprise stories. For example, while I attended city commission meetings for South Florida cities, I found story ideas in meeting agendas and memos.
I was also part of a team of reporters covering Parkland shooting follow-up and spoke with parents of students killed. Reporters I assisted at the paper ultimately won the 2019 Pulitzer Prize for public service.
December 2017 - January 2018
BREAKING NEWS INTERN, THE PALM BEACH POST
I reported on crime and breaking news in Palm Beach County, including homicides, traffic crashes and arrests, for digital. I also assisted in coverage of Mar-a-Lago while President Donald Trump was visiting. On Christmas Eve, I broke news on the arrest of a Real Housewife of New York Luann de Lesseps before national media.
August 2017 - May 2018
EDITOR-IN-CHIEF, PRISM: UF HONORS MAGAZINE
I planned honors-focused content for two print issues and a website. I directed a staff of 35 honors students who were mostly non-journalism majors and taught them about AP Style, news values and more. I restructured our schedule for reporting on stories to focus on posting articles on the website and social media before producing the semesterly magazine.
Past position: Design Editor (Aug. 2016 - May 2017)
August 2016 - December 2016
METRO INTERN, THE GAINESVILLE SUN
I reported on and wrote click-worthy stories for the metro section. Some content included listicle-style articles, which I aggregated information for. I developed and pitched my own enterprise ideas and used audience analytics to determine future stories.
August 2016 - December 2016
PRODUCER/HOST, WUFT- FM RADIO READING SERVICE
Along with three other hosts, I researched international cities and produced a script for a live travel radio show on the Gainesville, Florida NPR-affiliate radio station. The show was geared toward a sight-impaired audience interested in learning about travel. I engaged with co-hosts on air while producing the show using sound-booth technology.
EDUCATION
August 2015 - May 2019
UNIVERSITY OF FLORIDA
Bachelor of Science in Journalism
Minor in International Studies
August 2011 - June 2015
MIAMI PALMETTO SENIOR HIGH SCHOOL
RECOGNITIONS
UF HONORS PROGRAM HALL OF FAME INDUCTEE
May 2019
UF INTERNATIONAL SCHOLARS PROGRAM INDUCTEE
May 2019
IRE'S COLUMBIA JOURNALISM SCHOOL STUDENT FELLOWSHIP
May 2019
H.G. “BUDDY” DAVIS AWARD FOR PROMISE IN REPORTING AND EDITING
April 2019
STUDENT SPEAKER AT NIEMAN FOUNDATION GEORGES CONFERENCE
April 2018
UF JOURNALISM SCHOOL ADVISORY COUNCIL SCHOLARSHIP RECIPIENT
December 2018
SINAI SCHOLARS
August 2017
TESTIMONIALS
Meryl is a gifted, ambitious journalist with a finely honed nose for sniffing out stories that others have overlooked.
Ted Bridis, UF professor and former AP investigative editor
What I appreciated most about her was her courage and skepticism – two traits that are needed to be a good journalist. She’s very organized, an extremely hard worker, and her news judgment was really spot-on.