Communications Coordinator – Seattle Department of Education & Early Learning
Media Interviews – Education
Served as a media spokesperson, highlighting the city-funded Seattle Preschool Program with Se Habla Media and the childcare subsidy Child Care Assistance Program, interviewed in Spanish for a live broadcast. Also coordinated Q&A from The Seattle Times with education leadership to elevate the impacts of early childhood education as funded by the city.
Public Affairs and Communications Coordinator – Washington County
Media Interviews – Elections
Earned media coverage regarding Washington County, including serving as a designated spokesperson for the Elections office and bilingual communications and community engagement support for the Housing department.
More media interviews, serving as a spokesperson for the elections office, and weather-related emergencies.
- https://katu.com/news/local/oregon-election-offices-prepare-for-secure-primary-election
- https://kunptv.com/news/local/albergues-en-condados-washington-y-multnomah-extienden-activacin-por-glidas-temperaturas
- https://kunptv.com/news/local/vecinos-de-cornelius-molestos-tras-enterarse-de-construccin-de-predio-para-indigentes
Press Release Writing
Award-Winning Seattle Preschool Program Expanding for 2025-26 School Year
Mayor Bruce Harrell joined the Department of Education and Early Learning (DEEL) and education leaders at The Children’s Center at Burke Gilman Gardens to announce nine new classrooms for the award-winning Seattle Preschool Program (SPP), adding 169 seats to the program’s roster. The city is investing up to $3 million for SPP classroom expansions the 2025-2026 school year
Ballot Counting Explained
Washington County works closely with the Oregon Secretary of State’s Office to uphold a high standard when conducting each election. What does this look like as we count all eligible ballots?
$2M ARPA investment in utility relief
New collaboration to relieve some Washington County households for past-due water bills due to the economic hardships of the COVID-19 pandemic. On June 7th, 2022, the Board of Commissioners approved an intergovernmental agreement with Clean Water Services.
Seattle Child Care Staff to Receive Up to $2.8M in Workforce Support
The Department of Education and Early Learning (DEEL) is proud to announce it will provide up to $2.8 million to support child care workers.
Seattle Families Invited to Apply to Child Care Assistance Program
The Seattle Department of Education and Early Learning (DEEL) is proud to announce the Child Care Assistance Program (CCAP) is expanding its capacity to serve newly eligible families.
More press release work samples
Annual Reports
I wrote the community spotlight stories and curated photos for the annual report’s preschool and child care sections.
Newsletters
Seattle Department of Education & Early Learning: Co-editor of the quarterly newsletter highlighting investments, community engagement, educational partners, and resources for Seattle families. This newsletter also celebrates good work within the department staff and leadership in the community.
Washington County: Senior Editor for the County’s pandemic response and recovery newsletter, highlighting programs, public health information, community resources, and funding and grant opportunities. This monthly newsletter is sent out in both English and Spanish, with over 250 subscribers and a 45% open-and-click rate.
Storytelling
As a bilingual journalist, I worked to bring diverse voices and highlight partnerships between Washington County and nonprofits helping community members during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Script for news story
As a producer, I wrote scripts for reporters and anchors. This is my writing skills showcased in the written component with a reporter voicing the story. A video journalist gathered the visual elements, but I ultimately chose which video shots and soundbites (interviews) would be pieced together for an editor to compile into this story. The goal of this story was to bring awareness to the designs of the patients at Doernbecher, who are living a full life despite their battle with an illness or disease.
VIDEO SCRIPT: A SPECIAL PARTNERSHIP BETWEEN NIKE AND OHSU’S DOERENBECHER’S CHILDREN’S
HOSPITAL.
SIX YOUNG PATIENTS CAN NOW CALL THEMSELVES DESIGNERS.
AND NOW THEY’RE DEBUTING THEIR CUSTOM SHOES AND GEAR AT A NIKE LAUNCH
PARTY. FOX 12’S BRENNA KELLY HAS A LOOK AT THE 2018 DOERNBECHER FREESTYLE COLLECTION.
(VOICE OVER)
NIKE’S LATEST GEAR DRAWING A LARGE CROWD TO ITS DOWNTOWN PORTLAND STORE SATURDAY MORNING.
THE UNIQUE COLLECTION IS CREATED BY YOUNG DESIGNERS.
FROM JACKETS TO HATS — AND SHOES — THE ACCESSORIES ALL TELL A STORY OF TRIUMPH.
KIRSTEN BROWN/ 16-YEAR-OLD DESIGNER
“All my shoes there’s a survivor logo. Which means a lot to me because I’ve survived through a stroke and a heart transplant and it’s been crazy.” NIKE AND OHSU DOERNBECHER CHILDREN’S HOSPITAL PARTNERED TO GIVE THOSE FACING SERIOUS MEDICAL CONDITIONS – A BLANK CANVAS TO TELL THEIR STORY.
CHLOE SWIENTEK 10-YEAR-OLD DESIGNER
“well I really wanted to incorporate my disease in my shoe. And I also wanted to have my dog’s paw prints in there.”
FROM BEGINNING SKETCHES…
“every part, designing, thinking of many ideas. it’s been great.” TO INTRICATE PATTERNS… KIRSTEN BROWN/ 16-YEAR-OLD DESIGNER
“I was pretty much ready to go once I got there. I had pre-designed everything. And was like here this is what I want. Let’s do this.”
IT TOOK SIX MONTHS OF HARD WORK. “It was long, but it was worth it.” AND THESE KIDS COULDN’T WAIT TO SEE THE FINAL PRODUCT…. THEIR GEAR WILL BENEFIT CHILDREN AT THE HOSPITAL…
“it just feels great because people have been going through what I’ve been through it’s just great to see that I’m helping them.”
PAYTON FENTRESS/ 12-YEAR-OLD DESIGNER
“It feels good cause I know all this money is going to go to Doernbecher to help kids like me and it feels pretty good.”
AND THE YOUNG DESIGNERS HAD SOME BIG FANS.
*THIS* MOMENT THEY SAY… THEY NEVER IMAGINED POSSIBLE. “I never thought that this would happen it’s just a big thing to me.”
Media Pitch Client: Vallarta Supermarkets
The Challenge: Pitching to Los Angeles, San Diego, Kern, and Palm Springs TV stations Vallarta Supermarkets grilling demo for summertime at-home cooking. Due to COVID-19, we wanted to ensure the safety of staff and journalists. Also wanted to make sure that the segment did not promote gatherings during the COVID-19 pandemic.
The Solution: A remote live interview and grilling demo was conducted with Vallarta’s in-house Chef and the company’s spokesperson.
The Pitch: Heat up your summer with the perfect Taco Tuesday at home – easy-to-follow steps! Vallarta Supermarkets is your one-stop shop for all your grilling needs. Vallarta Supermarkets is Home of the Original Carne Asada, it was the first supermarket to offer thin-sliced flap meat marinated in an original spice recipe, or simply “carne asada.” While carne asada and other top-grade meats are available year-round at Vallarta Supermarkets, grilling season heats up through September as Vallarta is expected to sell 30 million pounds of top-grade meat cuts.
A Vallarta Chef is available to share their grilling tips for the perfect carne asada family meal as more people stay home (Vallarta style).
Result: Broadcast media coverage for the Foodie Friday segment and online published articles.
Silvia Pereida 