6th Annual Portal to the Past Festival – S’edav Va’aki Museum
On Saturday, November 23rd, the S’edav Va’aki Museum hosted the 6th Annual Portal to the Past Festival, a vibrant celebration honoring the water, heritage, and enduring culture of the Ancestral Sonoran Desert People. Organized in partnership with Cultural Coalition, the event featured dynamic cultural performances, artist talks, and guided onsite tours.
Profile: Jordan Laveen – Navigating Identity and Heritage
This profile explores the personal journey of Jordan Laveen, who is half Navajo and half white. Raised primarily within white culture, Jordan grew up disconnected from his Indigenous roots and the Navajo language. As he matured, he began to embrace his identity and confront the challenges of reclaiming a heritage he was never fully immersed in. Through this story, viewers gain insight into Jordan’s experience and the broader complexities of cultural identity.
Vota Palooza – Mobilizing the Latino Vote Through Music in Phoenix
Vota Palooza is a high-energy music festival aimed at boosting civic engagement among Gen Z Latinos and newly naturalized citizens. Organized by Grita Canta Vota, the Phoenix stop took place on Thursday, October 17 at Rancho Corona in Laveen Village. The event featured major regional acts including Banda Los Recoditos, Hermanos Vega Jr, Grupo Control, and Lupita Infante. This news package highlights how music and culture are being used to empower young Latino voters and build community ahead of the upcoming elections.
TV Reporting Reel – Creative Standups & Community-Focused Coverage
This reel showcases a selection of my on-camera reporting work, featuring creative standups and full news packages. Stories highlighted include the impact of inflation on consumer dining habits, coverage of the Maricopa County Fair, and the Volver cultural event hosted by Cultural Coalition. Each segment reflects my commitment to clearly and creatively telling relevant, human-centered stories.
Cronkite News – Graphics & Production Reel
This reel highlights my experience working in the Graphic and Production Lab at Cronkite News. It showcases the on-air graphics I created and how they were integrated into live broadcasts with anchors. The reel also reflects my hands-on growth in the control room, where I gained experience in multiple roles—starting as a floor crew member handling cameras, then moving on to audio, assistant directing, technical directing, and ultimately directing a full rundown for the first time. This project captures both my creative and technical contributions to live news production.