Laura Bertocci, Neighbor

Bio:

I was born and raised in Ridgewood, went to Orchard Elementary School, George Washington Middle School, and Ridgewood High School.

I had my first taste of journalism as a staff writer and editor at the RHS High Times, and went on to write for the Oxy Weekly at Occidental College (where I am currently a junior). I simultaneously worked at The City Maven, a news site that exclusively covers Los Angeles city politics, and Campus Circle, a college-focused publication.

While I'm learning about storytelling and skepticism as a History major, I'm crafting my own journalism education through my experience at various news outlets, and I've studied under the Los Angeles Times' Scott Gold and Bob Sipchen.

I'm extremely intersted in New Media, and I see sites like Patch really changing the way we read the news. It's my goal to be a part of the evolving industry while remaining true to old school ideals of objectivity and accuracy.

A few things about me:

- I'm a crazy Harry Potter fanatic. Seriously, I'm one of those people.

- I play the piano, violin, guitar, and recorder.

- I have performed in the circus (triple trap and cloudswing).

- I have been tap dancing since the age of 3.

- Hate condiments.