At 16 years old, I realized journalism was the perfect career for me. As my sophomore year of high school was nearing the end, someone asked me to write an article for The Talon, Oak Park High School’s newspaper. There clearly wasn’t enough on my plate between tough classes, various clubs, two soccer teams, and constant community service, so I went for it.
What sucked me into journalism was the public service aspect of it – the idea of learning something, then writing about it in a digestible way.
I have always been inquisitive and have always valued shared knowledge. Writing profiles on people and organizations is fun; however, I will always have a soft spot for the more complex topics that take months of interviewing and research to fully grasp.
Let me take this opportunity to formally introduce myself: I’m Amanda Lurey, the news reporter at The Chronicle.
Being from Malibu, Calif., I love being in or near water – and there’s definitely no shortage of rivers and lakes here.
Actually, when moving to Oregon in 2019, loads of sand snuck its way into my suitcases. I thought this was funny; my roommate at the time did not.
Music is defi nitely a passion of mine. I can’t hold a tune to save my life, but I love finding new tracks to play in the car. Right now, I’m diving into albums and artists that friends have recommended, from Taylor Swift to boygenius to Melanie Martinez to Baroness. It’s been hit or miss, but I’m enjoying the discovery process and leaning into new genres.
Throughout my life, I have been called “Snow White” because animals always gravitate toward me. They must be able to tell how much I love them. Lots of my tattoos are images of animals, ranging from a fl uffy bee to a big ol’ shark.
Although I grew up in a household full of dogs, I now have a cat and a bunny – a weird combination, I know.
Also, y’all don’t even know how excited I was to find out that The Chronicle sometimes has a bird (his name is Murphy) in the office. His little chirps are definitely a welcomed distraction from writing.
After graduating from the University of Oregon in June, I started at The Chronicle less than 24 hours later. Many told me it was ridiculous to go straight into the industry, not taking any time for leisure, but to them I simply said: Trust me.
I know I made the right decision. The Chronicle is a phenomenal place to work, and I’m lucky to be here. How could I regret a decision that’s brought me so much happiness and fulfillment?
My journalism career began on a whim, and six years later, I still love what I do. It’s been amazing meeting community members in Springfield, Creswell, and Cottage Grove. I’ve discovered amazing coffee shops, breakfast spots, and breweries thanks to the people I’ve met, and I’d love to keep that momentum going. If you’re interested in getting to know me or have any tips on developing stories, don’t hesitate to reach out! I promise I’m nice.
Amanda Lurey is the news reporter for The Chronicle. Contact her at [email protected].
