A note from the Citizen's new education reporter

Hi Henrico! I’m Anya Sczerzenie ("Sir-ZEE-nee"), and I’m the Citizen’s new education reporter.

I have always lived in Virginia – I was born in Fairfax, raised in Leesburg, and went to college at Virginia Commonwealth University in Richmond. I first realized I might want to be a journalist during a childhood field trip to the Newseum in D.C. (R.I.P. Newseum) but didn’t seriously consider it until I was writing for the newsmagazine at my high school.

After graduating from VCU’s Robertson School of Media and Culture, where I covered the General Assembly as part of the school’s Capital News Service program, I moved back home. I freelanced for a year in Northern Virginia, writing about everything from historic buildings to the metro’s Silver Line expansion to the local schools.

Even while freelancing, writing about the schools was one of my favorite things. They’re where children spend the formative years of their lives, the places that often make the biggest impression on us as adults. Schools are incredibly important to society, and I think they’re one of the most valuable areas to cover in a local news outlet. I am glad to be part of the Report for America program, which places journalists into underserved coverage areas across the country.

I’m excited to get to know a new community and learn all about the Henrico education scene. I am more than ready to cover the issues – educational equity being one of the biggest ones – but also to find the people who are doing good. In every school system there are teachers who are trying to make a difference in students’ lives, parents who advocate for their kids, and kids who speak up for themselves and their classmates.

Outside of journalism, I am a very crafty person – I can crochet and I also like making my own jewelry. I also play a lot of video games and enjoy going on hikes.

You can reach me on Twitter here or by e-mail at anya@henricocitizen.com. If you have any stories, tips, or ideas for me, or if you just want to say hello, I’d be happy to hear from you!

* * *

Editor's note: Help support Anya's work today by making a tax-deductible contribution to help fund her position. Every contribution will be matched – dollar for dollar – by RFA, effectively doubling your contribution, up to $25,000.