Lauren Contreras marks the most recent addition to the Voice of OC newsroom as a Tracy Wood Fellow.
The fellowship is designed to honor the memory of Tracy Wood, a renowned journalist who worked as Voice of OC’s Civic Editor until the very end.
[Read: The Legacy of Tracy A. Wood]
Contreras says that she looks forward to carrying on Wood’s legacy of journalism through the fellowship.
“Her (Tracy’s) persistence in her investigations for stories is truly inspiring,” said Contreras, adding “Her resiliency took her far in her career and I would love to embody the kind of drive and passion she has.”
Contreras is a Chapman University student who has worked as an intern at Voice of OC over the summer, and now as a Tracy Wood Fellow, has continued to cover cities and the civic issues surrounding them.
Voice of OC’s Civic Editor, Spencer Custodio has worked with Contreras on everything from parking issues to coastal reporting to homeless and housing issues and remarks that she is a great reporter to have in the field.
“She works hard, she works well with the team and she’s very eager to learn,” said Custodio.
Contreras also remarks that the environment at Voice has also helped her grow as a journalist.
“I just really appreciate a supportive environment that they foster,” Said Contreras, adding, “They’re very experienced and knowledgeable and I should be trying to ask as many questions from my coworkers as I can.”
