Chapman student earns $15,000 fellowship to cover Orange County cities

Lauren Contreras will continue reporting on Orange County civic issues as a Tracy Wood Fellow. The position allows the Chapman University student to maintain the beat she covered during her summer internship at Voice of OC.

The fellowship is named for Tracy Wood, who served as the outlet's Civic Editor until her death. Wood was known for persistent investigative reporting. Contreras stated she hopes to emulate Wood's drive and passion in her own work.

Contreras began covering local government stories this past summer. Her reporting focused on specific urban challenges, including parking regulations, coastal conditions, and the city's response to homelessness and housing shortages. This work built her foundation as a field reporter for the newsroom.

Spencer Custodio, the current Civic Editor, has supervised Contreras's reporting. Custodio noted that Contreras works well with the team and shows strong eagerness to learn. Custodio described her as a valuable presence in the field.

Contreras attributed her professional growth to the support provided by her senior colleagues. She noted that the experienced staff encourages new journalists to ask questions frequently. This supportive dynamic has helped her develop her skills as a student reporter.

The fellowship ensures continuity in local civic coverage. Contreras remains a Chapman University student while fulfilling the duties of the fellow. Her reporting will continue to focus on the municipalities and public policy issues affecting the region.