Amanda is a 10-time award-winning journalist who has been in the field for more than a decade. A graduate of Valdosta State University, where she was a features editor for the campus newspaper, Amanda has since moved on to embark on a career that has led her to winning top state awards through the Georgia Press Association.
She has been a lifestyles editor for The Valdosta Daily Times and a magazine editor for The Daily Times' monthly publication, Valdosta Scene, overseeing a small staff and being third-in-command in the newsroom. While at the Daily Times, she revamped the company's magazine, acted as a link between the community and readers and took on hard-hitting assignments that garnered her multiple accolades while remaining committed to community journalism.
Her leadership then took her to The Griffin Daily News, where she was a managing editor and department head who worked closely with the publisher and marketing manager. While there, she brought new light to the newspaper and its bimonthly magazine, Southern Crescent Living. She established new weekly departments for the newspaper while correlating opportunities for advertising and editorial to come together and share space on the pages.
Her awards include: two for Investigating Reporting (first and third place), Feature Photo (second place), three for Lifestyle Coverage (first and second places), Best Magazine Overall Design (first place), Magazine Cover Design (third place), Magazine Product (second place) and Religion Writing (third place).
The Associated Press has run 13 of her stories through its weekend wire, and she has had multiple stories to circulate both nationally and internationally in several print and digital publications. National Public Radio Atlanta (WABE) has interviewed Amanda about her work.
She has interviewed Adrian Peterson, Gov. Brian Kemp, Georgia First Lady Marty Kemp, Super Bowl Champ Malcolm Mitchell, Elizabeth Smart, two Harlem Globetrotters, Pam Tebow, Misty Copeland and the late Burt Reynolds. She has also photographed Shaquille O'Neal, Flo Rida and other public figures.
Amanda has a passion for storytelling and enjoys being a voice for the local community. While her work ranges from crime to business to education news, her heart lies in features journalism as it offers the chance to meet diverse people and share their stories in a way that matters. The readers and those she interviews will always come first for Amanda.
The 17-year-old boy, who allegedly said he wanted to hurt himself, was accused of running towards officers with a knife in Gwinnett County.
"The grief we carry for the passing of one of our own is beyond words," the Carroll County Sheriff's Office said in a statement.
WATCH: Gwinnett County officers save a missing man who fell into a creek along Interstate 85 north and was there for several hours.
Cooking website LoveFood.com sorted through user reviews and accolades to determine which GA Mexican restaurant is best.
Patch has gathered all you need to know about five upcoming festivals and fairs.
The husband, who had hair transplant surgery, was accused of trying to board a Miami flight with a bloody head and bandages, reports say.
The “Great Hospitals in America” list from niche media company Becker’s Healthcare includes accomplished Georgia hospitals.
The “Great Hospitals in America” list from niche media company Becker’s Healthcare includes accomplished Florida hospitals.
A funeral for Deputy Brandon Cunningham, who was fatally shot responding to a domestic call, will impact Cobb County Schools dismissal.
Forecasters say 6 to 10 named storms may form in the Atlantic from Aug. 27-Sept. 30 weeks after Hurricane Debby drenched parts of Maryland.
Forecasters say six to 10 named storms may brew in the Atlantic Ocean from Aug. 27-Sept. 30 weeks after Hurricane Debby flooded Florida.
Forecasters say 6 to 10 named storms may brew in the Atlantic from Aug. 27-Sept. 30, weeks after Hurricane Debby blasted the East Coast.
A retired U.S. Army lieutenant colonel is accused of molesting a teen and making friends with the teen's family in 2013, authorities said.
The winning $1M scratch-off ticket was bought at Wildwood Meat Market in St. Pete, a media report says.
One contractor was accused of having sex with an inmate at least three times while others are accused of providing contraband to inmates.
Georgia businesses in various fields are among some of the top-tier employers in the U.S., a new survey found.
Florida businesses in various fields are among some of the top-tier employers in the U.S., a new survey found.
The victim suffered severe chemical burns after a person approached her outside her home and threw a cup of liquid at her, authorities said.
Daily storms Wednesday afternoon could cause flood concerns for areas along the East Coast, including Florida.
A mother and her 4-year-old son who disappeared from Sloan Street were found safe Wednesday, police said.
