When UW announced they would be hosting their 2021 graduation commencement ceremony virtually, my colleagues were unsure of how to feel about the decision. Many first-generation students were conflicted, understanding that the COVID-19 pandemic was still at large, yet feeling that they deserved recognition for their achievement. I wrote this story for Crosscut in order to give these first-generation students a platform to voice their concerns about the university’s decision.

I wrote this story after the 2021 Apple Cup game at the University of Washington, shortly after an accident caused the shutdown of Sound Transit’s public transportation between the UW and University District light rail stations after the game. I collected accounts from passengers on board the disabled train as well as an interview with the Sound Transit Public Information Officer and his statements on the incident. As a frequent light rail user, I was determined to learn as much as I could about the shutdown and inform others of what caused the unprecedented disabling.

This article covers the transitional phase of returning to in-person classes at the UW, and includes statements from a student, a professor, and the counseling center about how their mental health has been affected as a result. The story also includes statistics from the US Census Bureau showcasing how the amount of adults between the ages of 18-29 experiencing anxiety/depression changed from 2020 to early 2021. I compiled this data into a graphic that I believe represents the general effects of the pandemic on mental health quite well.

As a fan of film, I am always seeking film festivals that allow directors to speak about their artistic vision and the inspirations behind them. I covered this story in order to bring attention to the filmmakers involved, since the pandemic caused this festival to be hosted virtually. This article includes commentary of social issues covered by each film, ranging from economics to sexuality in Taiwan.