top of page

EMILY ELABORATES: A DEEPER LOOK

My Professional Journalist Portfolio

Send to Em 9.jpg
Home: Welcome
IMG_3995.jpeg

MY STORY

A Passion for Meaningful Writing, Understanding Humans, and Deep Thinking

Hey! My name is Emily Solomon, and I am a freelance writer, editor, and sports information director. I graduated in 2021 from Whitman College in Walla Walla, WA, where I studied psychology and sociology.


I am pursuing my master's degree at the University of Washington (UW) in Intercollegiate Athletic Leadership (IAL). I aspire to become a sports information professional and continue to spark my passion for sports and freelance writing. 

While in grad school, I am working as the sports information director (SID) for the UW gymnastics team. I also serve as an athletic communications assistant in the UW athletic department, where I assist the SID for men's soccer and women's and men's basketball. 

During undergrad at Whitman, I really grew my love for writing. I'm a psychologist to learn more about why we as humans think and do the weird things we do - I'm a journalist to portray that weirdness through my writing. 

Learning more about humans has inspired me to dive deeper into the topics I'm writing about, which is why I value people-oriented journalism. 

Topics that easily spark my inner story-teller:

Mental Health

Sports 

Psychology & Sociology

News & Government

Healthcare

Women's Issues

Features

Home: About Me
Image by Markus Spiske

THE 2023 WNBA SEASON: A LOOK-AHEAD

New Thinking Magazine; March 2023

With a host of seismic changes underway in the women’s basketball league, May can’t arrive soon enough for fans.

Home: Work

MARCH MADNESS 2023

My written work for ballislife.com on the women's March Madness tournament at Climate Pledge Arena in Seattle.

Image by Kylie Osullivan

NO. 2 IOWA TAKE DOWN NO. 6 COLORADO BEHIND CLARK’S 31, ADVANCE TO ELITE EIGHT

March 2023

The Sweet 16 matchup between the No. 2 Iowa Hawkeyes and the sixth-seeded Colorado Buffaloes did not disappoint.

Or should I say, Caitlin Clark did not disappoint. But frankly, does she ever?

Image by qi xna

SEATTLE REGIONAL ELITE EIGHT GAME 1 - NO. 2 IOWA VS. NO. 5 LOUISVILLE

March 2023

Sunday night’s Elite Eight matchup in Seattle can be summed up in three words: Caitlin. Freaking. Clark.

Or, just as accurately: Triple. Double. Machine. Your pick.

Image by Alex Perez

NO. 2 OHIO STATE OVERPOWER NO. 3 UCONN TO HAULT HUSKIES’ 16-YEAR ELITE EIGHT STREAK

March 2023

If you had asked anyone in the vicinity of Seattle’s Climate Pledge Arena who they thought would be winning Saturday’s first regional semifinal game, you likely would have received overwhelming support of the Connecticut Huskies.

Home: Work

SPORTS FEATURES

This is the beginning of a series of senior spotlights, to tell the stories of each of the seven seniors on the Washington Huskies' gymnastics squad that have helped shape the program into what it is today.

Home: Work
1x1_Amara.jpg

SENIOR SPOTLIGHT: AMARA CUNNINGHAM

Feb. 2023

IMG_3568.jpeg

WHAT I'VE BEEN DOING

Below is more on my most recent journalism and communications experience
in news, education, government, and sports.
Please reach out if you'd like to know more!

Home: CV

Present

SPORTS INFORMATION DIRECTOR

I serve as the primary media contact for the University of Washington (UW) gymnastics team, which includes writing sport-specific articles, creating social media content (Instagram, Twitter, and TikTok), and coordinating press for the team.
I also serve as the communications assistant for the UW athletic department. I create written content for the UW sports teams, manage stats and run social media accounts.

Present

FREELANCE WRITER & GHOSTWRITER

The tough thing about being a ghostwriter is that I can't put any of my work on here. All I can do is say that I have written for some online healthcare platforms and other sites. I love the freedom and flexibility that freelance ghostwriting brings!

I am also a freelance sports writer for the Walla Walla Union-Bulletin. 

January 2022 - May 2022

WHITMAN ATHLETICS COMMUNICATIONS ASSISTANT & VIDEO PRODUCER

I supervised a team of stats and camera workers to ensure proper live streaming of Whitman varsity athletic events.
I also managed in-game social media posts, technological set-ups and break-downs, and handled troubleshooting.

September 2021 - May 2022

WALLA WALLA UNION-BULLETIN - SPORTS & NEWS REPORTER

I spent my days keeping up to date on local courts and crime news, seeking out feature stories on local residents and businesses, and reporting on local events.

May 2019 - May 2021

WHITMAN COLLEGE - COMMUNICATIONS ASSISTANT & CONTENT WRITER

I chatted with students, faculty, and staff to compose stories for prospective student newsletters, student spotlight articles - anything and everything student life related.

June 2019 - December 2020

CITY OF WALLA WALLA - COMMUNICATIONS SPECIALIST

I created city newsletters, drafted press releases, assisted with city event planning and facilitating, and collaborated with all city departments to communicate information to Walla Walla residents.

August 2017 - December 2019

WHITMAN WIRE NEWSPAPER - SPORTS EDITOR & COLUMNIST

I managed a team of student writers to create a weekly sports section for the student-led newspaper. I worked with writers one-on-one to improve their writing, editing, and interviewing skills.

Mount Hood

NEWS AND FEATURES PROJECTS

I've included a variety of some of my favorite topics covered across my journalism career thus far,

and why they were my favorite to write about!

Home: Work

November 2021

A new mental health program working to help offenders get connected with the psychological resources they need to stay out of jail.

Why I loved it: Learning about the mental health resources for those struggling to stay out of the criminal justice system was amazing - we need more!

November 2021

COVID-conscious people travelled from all over Washington State to attend Walla Walla's first vaccine clinic for kids ages 5-11. 

Why I loved it: Seeing the excitement about kids getting vaccinated! I was able to chat with parents and kids, most of which were so excited to take a step closer to returning to "normalcy." 

April 2021

A Whitman alum (Class of 2000) sat down with me to discuss his path after college - salmon genetics!

Why I loved it: Getting to connect with fellow Whitties is such a rewarding experience. We got to share why Whitman was incredible for both of us and how it helped us grow. 

August 2020

The Walla Walla Parks and Recreation Department did so many amazing things to ensure that residents could safely have a fun outlet during a peak of the pandemic last spring and summer.

Why I loved it: This article sparked my interest in learning more about what I can do to improve my own mental health. More time in nature!

July 2020

Whitman psychology professor guided a student through her senior project that focused on how attention and human memory are connected.

Why I loved it: I got to talk with one of my favorite psychology professors about his specialty, and got a deeper look into what a senior thesis study looks like before I did mine the following year!

August 2019

Whitman student dove into research on how to use technology to help empower women to express more confidence in emails.

Why I loved it: Empowering women! A female student conducting research under a female professor on how to help empower other women? Sign me up, always!

Home: Work

SPORTS STORIES

And now, over to sports!

Lacrosse Sticks in Air

WHITMAN WOMEN'S LACROSSE WRAPS SEASON WITH FOUR ON ALL-NWC TEAMS IN HEIDI COLFORD'S FIRST YEAR AS HEAD COACH

May 2022

Whitman's lacrosse team faced its challenges this season, but also saw a ton of personal and team growth.
Why I loved it: I got to connect with fellow Whitman athletes and hear why they love their sport, and Whitman.

Race Track

May 2022

A track athlete from the Walla Walla Special Olympics team competing at the national level.
Why I loved it: To shed light on the local Special Olympics team and its impact on the community.

Desert Horse Riding

April 2022

I talk about the newly-founded local rodeo club and their first annual Walla Walla event. 
Why I loved it: I spoke about the power of sport -- to inspire, motivate, and connect people in so many ways.

Young Gymnast

April 2022

Here, I talk about how Olympic athletes like Simone Biles (gymnastics) and Mikaela Shiffrin (skiing) have opened up the conversation about mental health and are working to reduce the stigma that athletes face when it comes to talking about feelings.

Why I loved it: I got the chance to connect professional and Olympic level sports to youth level athletics. Mental health as an athlete is so important no matter how old you are.

Stadium Seats

November 2019

Whitman student athletes partnered up with various organizations and individuals in the Walla Walla area to help give back to the community.

Why I loved it: I was one of those student athletes, so I loved getting to brag about my peers and all the great work they do.

Fan Cheering

April 2019

A student section at a college basketball game can have an incredible impact. Especially when it's filled with loud, passionate fans to yell at the refs.

Why I loved it: It's hilarious. Such funny interviews helped mold this into a story riddled with sarcastic humor. 

Meditating

An imperative reminder for college athletes to take time to prioritize mental health, especially when the pressure is upped on the field/court. 

Why I loved it: Everything I wrote resonated greatly with me, as a college athlete. Also, it inspired me to take more time to focus on taking care of my mind. 

Home: Work

MENTAL TOUGHNESS:
A GAME CHANGER

A memoir on the essential skill of mental toughness - through sports and in life.
2019

I’ve been a sports fan for as long as I can remember. Fourth grade YMCA basketball was where it all began for me, on a team where I was the only girl on the court and touched the ball a whopping three times the whole season. For some reason, I stuck it out. I tried volleyball and track, but only basketball stuck. Basketball soon became my outlet when school was rough, when friends got annoying, or I just wanted to be out of the house. Basketball became my home. Read more...







Home: Text
Home: Projects
IMG_3463.jpeg

"Don't forget - no one else sees the world the way you do, so no one else can tell the stories that you have to tell."

Charles de Lint

Home: Quote

CONTACT/FREELANCE INQUIRIES

Thank you for taking time to check out my portfolio!
Please get in touch to find out more about me and my work! I'm seeking freelance opportunities and am very flexible with my time and type of writing, so reach out and let's chat!

  • LinkedIn
  • Instagram
  • Twitter

Thanks for submitting!

IMG_2958.jpeg
Home: Contact
bottom of page