Stephanie Rex, Patch Staff

<strong>Contact: </strong>Stephanie.Rex&#64;Patch.com

<strong>Hometown:</strong> Erie, Pennsylvania

<strong>Birthdate:</strong> 7/15/1984

<strong>Bio:</strong>

Stephanie Rex is the local editor for the Forest Hills - Regent Square Patch, which launched in December 2010.

Stephanie&#39;s previous work has appeared in the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, Valley News Dispatch and the Butler Eagle, where she worked as a reporter for about two and a half years.

Stephanie graduated from Point Park University in 2007 with a degree in Journalism and Mass Communications. While in college, she moved to Regent Square after falling in love with the neighborhood. While freelancing for local newspapers, she paid her rent by waiting tables at Square Cafe on South Braddock, in the heart of Regent Square.

After leaving Pittsburgh to cover northern Butler County for the Butler Eagle newspaper shortly after graduating, Stephanie returned to Regent Square in early 2010, joining the Patch team.

Stephanie won the 2011 Golden Quill Award for Best Writing Online at The Press Club of Western Pennsylvania&#39;s annual banquet for her feature story, &#34;A Very Creepy Christmas at Trundle Manor.&#34;

In her free time, she enjoys reading, working out, singing in her car and exploring different places in Pittsburgh. She also loves walking her two dogs—Bailey, a Jack Russell mix, and Chance, a Springer Spaniel mix—both from the Animal Rescue League.

Stephanie is a major music fan—her favorites include everything by Lady Gaga, everything by The Boss or Tom Petty, and many, many more.

<b>Politics </b><br>How would you describe your political beliefs?<br>Are you registered with a certain party?

I am a socially liberal and informed voter. I judge my candidates on their character -- a task that is becoming more and more difficult with each passing election. <br><br><b>Religion</b><br>How religious would you consider yourself? (casual, observant, devout, non religious)

I was raised Catholic and remain open to other faiths and ideas. I think that faith in a higher being is important. Prayer - whether it&#39;s in yoga, traditional prayers or meditation - certainly has power in my own life. <br><b><br>Local Hot-Button Issues</b><br>What do you think are the most important issues facing the community?<br>Where do you stand on each of these issues?

Some of the biggest issues in the Forest Hills and Regent Square areas involve the high level of municipalities that intersect in just one place. In Regent Square alone, the City of Pittsburgh, Edgewood, Swissvale and Wilkinsburg boroughs come together. What does this mean for borough services and safety? Are there opportunities to collaborate and save money? How do some issues cross boundaries and borders? These are a few of the issues I hear residents talking about at local meetings.

These neighborhoods are special in that they give you a small town feel in the big city. Everybody knows everybody here - from the guy behind the coffee counter to the woman serving you pancakes. At the same time, we have so many artists and cultural opportunities happening just a few blocks away - at any given location.

I think people in these neighborhoods are always looking for new ways to connect and hold onto those special bonds. I believe Patch will play a great role in an already beautiful community. I am honored to have the opportunity to tell the stories of Regent Square and Forest Hills.