Hey there! I’m Kat Tabor — you’ll be seeing me around Hood River, The Dalles, and anywhere else a good story is unfolding in the Gorge. I’m spending the summer here interning with Columbia Gorge News through the University of Oregon’s Snowden Program for Excellence in Journalism. It’s a 10-week opportunity, and I’m thrilled to dive in and get to know this community.
I earned this competitive internship while attending Lane Community College (LCC), where I became the first student from LCC ever accepted into the Snowden program, competing with fourth-year students from across Oregon. I graduated in June with an associate degree and will begin at the University of Oregon this fall, majoring in journalism with a minor in art. After completing my Bachelor of Science, I plan to pursue graduate school.
I’m from the Springfield-Eugene area — though locals will tell you it feels like one ‘big’ town. Back home in Eugene, I usually cover music and culture, but here in the Gorge, I’m looking forward to expanding my beat and telling a variety of stories. You might see me out and about with my husband of three years, Robin, and our poodle mix, Marty — they’ve both joined me for this adventure. Robin’s also delivering papers while we’re here, so if you spot the delivery van, be sure to give him a wave!
Funny enough, journalism wasn’t part of my original plan. I started college intending to major in art — until I walked into the “wrong” room one day, which turned out to be exactly the right one. I had accidentally stepped into the brand-new newsroom of The Torch, LCC’s student newspaper, where I met advisor Camilla Mortensen and editor-in-chief Chandlor Henderson. I’d been editor of my high school paper, the Pony Express at Thurston High School, but no one had ever encouraged me to consider journalism as a real career. That moment at The Torch was a turning point for me, and now I’ve stepped into the role of editor-in-chief following Chandlor’s acceptance into the Berkeley School of Journalism.
They say dream jobs don’t exist — but for me, journalism truly is one. I still love making art on the side, but telling stories through reporting is what lights me up.
In high school, I wasn’t exactly at the top of my class, but college gave me a chance to start fresh. I joined Phi Theta Kappa, the honors society for two-year colleges, and this past April, I was proud to receive a national scholarship — the Coca-Cola Bronze Scholar Award, complete with a medal and all. Coming from a low-income background, financial aid and scholarships have made it possible for me to pursue higher education. Thanks to persistence and hard work, I’m now attending the University of Oregon. I’m also a member of Toastmasters International, where I serve as vice president of public relations for the Word Weavers Club, which meets regularly online.
When I’m not reporting, you’ll probably find me drinking coffee, attending concerts, taking photos, or diving into creative projects. I’m looking forward to what’s ahead and can’t wait to share the stories of this community. Want to learn even more about me? Visit my portfolio website at www.kattabor.info.
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