In the final episode of the Master Class series, Rebecca Snyder hosts an insightful discussion with award-winning journalist Julie Scharper from the Baltimore Banner. Scharper shares her journey in journalism, from her early days at the Baltimore Sun to her current role as an enterprise reporter at the Banner. She provides a deep dive into her Best of Show-winning feature story about Gavin Knupp, a 14-year-old hit-and-run victim, exploring the emotional and investigative process behind the piece. Scharper also discusses the unique challenges and opportunities in reporting for a nonprofit startup and reflects on how her background in psychology informs her compassionate, trauma-informed approach to storytelling. This episode offers valuable lessons for aspiring journalists and a behind-the-scenes look at the craft of feature writing.
Read Scharper's award-winning piece here, and learn more about trauma-informed reporting practices with Snyder here.