The Bedford Citizen extends a warm welcome to Jordan Stewart who joined us as an interim, part-time reporter on March 30. Regular readers may recognize Jordan’s name from the previous reporting he did for The Citizen in 2019. Most recently The Citizen published his account of his abrupt return from Scotland three weeks ago where he was enjoying a semester abroad through UMass Amherst when Covid-19 arrived. Click this link to read An Unexpected Return.
Stewart graduated from Waltham High School in 2018. After completing a semester at Washington University in the fall of 2018, he decided it wasn’t a match and returned home. He became a stringer for The Citizen in the winter of 2019 and covered meetings of the Finance Committee, Select Board, Planning Board, and Capital Expenditures Committee. He left in June to fulfill a counseling contract at YMCA Camp Frank A. Day in East Brookfield, MA where he has worked for the last four years. Last September he enrolled at UMass Amherst.
“Over the past year, it has been such an enriching experience writing for The Citizen,” Stewart said. “I’m continually inspired by the editors, board members, and volunteers who work endlessly to make sure the people of Bedford are well-informed on everything happening in and around the town. I’ve discovered a new-found love for journalism through my work with them. I’m so excited about the opportunity to work further with the team at The Citizen.”
Stewart’s hire is also a milestone for The Bedford Citizen. Although The Citizen has paid for content provided by stringers (individuals assigned as needed and paid per article) for some time, this is the first time a paid reporter has been made a regular part of its staff. Due to the success of its most recent fundraising campaign which resulted in a $22,000 matching grant from NewsMatch, The Citizen has been able to add the position to better serve its readers. (Thank you, dear donors!) The term “interim” is being used to describe Stewart’s position as it is anticipated that he will be returning to UMass in the fall.
Teri Morrow, president of The Citizen’s board of directors, declared her enthusiasm for Stewart’s addition to the staff. “I am delighted to have Jordan on board as we stretch ourselves to provide our readers with the news and information they need now more than ever. This hire takes us to a new level in covering Bedford and will further enhance our ability to provide timely and accurate reporting.”
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