ALPENA — Kayla Wikaryasz is back in Northeast Michigan, where she’s taken on the role of health and environmental reporter for The Alpena News. She started this journey on March 10.
Kayla’s roots run deep in Posen. Her great-grandparents immigrated from Poland in the early 1900s and settled in the area where her family has lived ever since. She lives on a road named after her family and enjoys a hobby farm with a few beloved animals. There’s her beagle, Buckshot, a feral terrier named Nellie, and a chihuahua named Ralf. They also keep chickens and have raised pigs and goats over the years.
Growing up in this tight-knit community shaped Kayla’s path. She attended Alpena Community College before transferring to Michigan State University. She earned a degree in interdisciplinary humanities, with focuses on professional writing and graphic design. “I’ve always loved writing,” she shares. She hopes to use her skills to tell the stories of people in her community.
Beyond journalism, Kayla has a passion for literature. She dreams of reading Russian classics, particularly Leo Tolstoy’s “Anna Karenina.” Influenced by her family’s Polish heritage and the Russian connections, she sees learning the language as a way to connect with her roots.
After spending some time in Lansing for work, Kayla felt a pull back to her hometown. She missed the familiarity and natural beauty of the area. “I love that I can walk outside and find nature just a few steps away,” she expresses. Hiking local trails and enjoying outdoor activities are some of her favorite pastimes.
As she adjusts to her new role at The Alpena News, Kayla is excited about contributing to her community through storytelling. She’s keen to share the unique narratives of Northeast Michigan, a place she holds dear.
In today’s world, local journalism holds a vital role. According to a 2023 report from the Pew Research Center, nearly half of Americans say that local news is very important to their communities. Reporters like Kayla play an essential part in keeping communities informed and connected.
Kayla looks forward to exploring and highlighting the rich stories in Northeast Michigan, reminding us all of the power of local voices.
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Source linkLocal News,News health, environmental reporter returns to Alpena
