SIDNEY — Alexandra Newman has joined the Sidney Daily News editorial staff as a reporter. Newman will be covering Jackson Center, Russia, Anna, Botkins, Minster and Houston, as well as writing features and covering court and police beats as needed. She also will be contributing to the SDN’s social media accounts and website, including Twitter and Facebook.
“Getting a job in my field of study immediately out of college was a huge surprise and is an accomplishment I am very proud of,” Newman said. “I am looking forward to working with the people of Shelby County and the veteran reporters here at the Sidney Daily News. As the youngest one here, it can get intimidating at times, but I’d like to think I am good at taking criticism and suggestions on how to improve.”
The SDN news staff is excited to have Newman on board.
“Alexandra is proving to be a very hard worker and dedicated journalist,” said Susan Hartley, SDN editor. “She brings a great work ethic and youthful enthusiasm to our newsroom. The community will benefit from Alexandra’s contributions to our news products.”
Newman graduated from Miamisburg High School in 2012, and on May 2 of this year, earned a Bachelor of Science from Ohio University’s Scripps School of Journalism.
“While in high school I was an editor for the newspaper and yearbook,” Newman said. “I also did PSEO, which allowed me to take classes at Sinclair Community College. The college credits I earned at Sinclair transferred to OU, allowing me to graduate in just three years.”
While at OU, Newman worked for The New Political, a completely online, student-run publication about politics and public policy. “I was a city writer, and then soon because the city editor,” she said. “I managed a small staff that covered all things Athens, Ohio, politics, elections, business, environment, crime and any other issues that came up at the time.”
Newman worked two internships while in college. During the summer of 2013 she was a news intern at WDTN Channel 2 in Dayton. “I went out with reporters and videographers on assignment, and helped the producers write stories for the anchors to read on-air,” she said.
During the summer of 2014, she worked as a stringer/intern for the Troy Daily News. “Although I didn’t get to write as much for them as I would have liked to because I was taking online classes and working almost 40 hours a week at Speedway, I gained some experience with writing for a community newspaper, and that experience proved helpful when looking for a job after college,” she said.
Newman, 21, has a variety of interests besides writing.
“I specialized in geography. I am really interested in maps, the layouts of different areas of the world, the people of the world and other cultures other than my own. Which is funny because I have never actually been able to travel outside the United States. Traveling is one of my main goals within the next couple of years,” she said.
Newman has been commuting from Miamisburg to Sidney for the past month, but will be moving to this area this weekend. She has two sisters, Olivia, 18, and Sophia, 13. Her father, Chris Newman, is an artist and stage designer. He is currently the resident stage designer at the Dayton Playhouse. Her mom, Sandy Newman, works from home as an interviewer for The University of Michigan Institute for Social research.
“In my free time I like to binge-watch Netflix and consume a lot of Kit-Kat bars. I enjoy cooking for anyone who will let me. I also love spending time with my grandparents, even if all we do is fall asleep in front of the TV after dinner. Cows are my favorite animal. Moving to this part of Ohio was a good move for someone who likes cows as much as me,” Newman said.
Look for Newman out and about covering news for the SDN in Shelby County.
“I have a passion for holding government officials accountable, and as I continue to get more acquainted with Shelby County, I will make it my mission to do just that,” she said. “As a member of the ‘liberal media,’ I hope to be as unbiased as possible to get all sides of the story, but feel free to call me if you have a bone to pick with me.”
Newman can be contacted at 937-538-4825 or via email at [email protected]
