Ashley Pfeifer’s 5 favourite Calgary Citizen stories of 2022

Looking back on the last four months, I could not be more thankful for the opportunity I have had to work with the Calgary Citizen as an intern reporter.

I have met so many amazing people and have been able to write many different types of stories that reflect the diverse and beautiful community we live in.

As a student, I still had some self doubt when starting this position as I had not had any real-world experience in the journalism field yet.

However, after interviewing so many people who gave me the trust and confidence to tell their stories, I am much more confident in my abilities and am very grateful.

It is an incredibly difficult task to choose my top five stories because each one has left an impact on me and my future career.

I wanted to thank every source that I have spoken with for allowing me to tell their story, and also my amazing mentors at the Calgary Citizen for teaching me and helping me get closer to my dreams.

I have chosen five articles that I am proud of. I can’t wait to share more.

Poverty in Calgary: Hidden in plain sight and reaching every corner of the city

One of my main goals in life is to make a difference, no matter how big or small. This story meant so much to me because it is incredibly important to have difficult conversations in order to highlight issues within society. Being able to speak with Meaghon Reid with Enough for All and Yvette Biggs with the United Way of Calgary and Area was very eye-opening and made an impact on the way I will live my life forever.

How the rebranded Calgary Women’s Shelter is helping combat rising demand for domestic violence and abuse services

When the Calgary Women’s Shelter announced its new name, we knew there was a story behind it. The rebranding to FearIsNotLove is important because it promotes inclusivity—the company is more than a shelter. It was amazing speaking with Kim Ruse, hearing the stories she had to tell, and learning how the rebranding was a call to action. Being able to spread the importance of speaking out and working together to make a difference meant the world to me.

Pairing amputee children with veterans as role models through The War Amps

When I first heard about The War Amps, I was in awe of how beautiful the organization was. Being able to reflect and give my thanks to veterans is very important. I was so grateful to be able to write this story and speak with Liz Gareau with The War Amps and Jamie McCallum about their personal experiences. It was very wholesome and inspiring.

How a Calgary author tapped into her farm roots to pen a children’s book about her pet pig George

I got really invested in this story. I could sit for hours listening to Linda Collier talk about her childhood with her pet pig, George. During the interview, I felt like a child again listening to an amazing story being told. Listening to Linda’s life story and how far she has come was so inspiring and I cannot wait to see what she has in store for the future.

Calgary’s Small Business Awards are back to showcase city’s diverse local businesses

I moved to Calgary about four years ago and I have loved discovering all of the amazing local businesses. This story allowed me to delve deeper into our city’s diverse range of talent, including Doodle Dogs. Speaking with co-owner Meghan Huchkowsky was so fun, and as a side bonus I now have a place to shop for all my furry friends. The awards are a great way to highlight local businesses and being able to write a story on it only brightens their spotlight.