ANGELA SYKORA

Lake County, Illinois

WRITER/COMMUNICATIONS COORDINATOR/JOURNALIST

ANGELA SYKORA

Lake County, Illinois

WRITER/COMMUNICATIONS COORDINATOR/JOURNALIST

Lake Zurich Middle School students support each other through anti-bullying blog
Students at Lake Zurich Middle School South are taking advantage of a unique anti-bullying program that provides a safe place to talk, share experiences, seek advice and, if necessary, report incidents to the administration. The “Bullying Blog” was created last school year under the advisement of seventh grade teacher Cynthia Milone, who was inspired by the struggles her own son had with bullying.
Lake County Journal
Residents learn finer points of wine making at Grow Masters
Brissa Flores, of Beach Park, could have chosen to celebrate her 37th birthday at a favorite local restaurant or bar. Instead, she rounded up her girlfriends for a decidedly different activity – wine making at Grow Masters in Gurnee. “We just wanted to try something different since we like to drink wine,” she said.
Lake County Journal
NorthBridge Church celebrates grand opening services
For 15 years, the members and staff of NorthBridge Church congregated at Antioch Community High School for Sunday services. Today, they have a building of their own to call home. “We were already a church before we came here. We carried that spirit with us,” said Dawn Hayman, Pastor of Group Life and Community Care.
Lake County Journal
Lake County Fairgrounds more than a summer destination
The Lake County Fairgrounds evoke memories of summertime fun on the midway, but it’s also host to a variety of shows and expos throughout the year, like this weekend’s Home Building and Remodeling Show. “For 2017, we’re booked almost every weekend. January through April and September through November we’re totally booked.
Lake County Journal
Job hunting help in the new year
The new year is a time to implement resolutions, from losing weight to quitting smoking. For many, it’s finding a new job or making a career change. While any time of the year is a good time to job hunt, the beginning of the year is unique, said Eva Locke, supervisor of the Job Center of Lake County, which is part of Lake County Workforce Development.
Lake County Journal
Grayslake Library celebrates 20th birthday
The Grayslake Area Public Library, located at 100 Library Lane, recently turned 20 years old, but its inception dates all the way back to 1931 when the Grayslake Women’s Club collected 100 books to lay the foundation for a public library. Club members maintained the volunteer endeavor by fundraising for book purchases and rental space for programs for more than a decade before the library officially became a tax-supported institution in 1941, according to the library’s website.
Lake County Journal
Take up a new hobby at Lake Villa’s Lehmann Mansion
Lake Villa’s historic Lehmann Mansion is known for hosting weddings and other special events, but it’s also become a popular venue for community programs such as cooking and painting classes, even summer concerts. Bauer’s Catering began offering cooking classes at the mansion through the Lindenhurst Park District last year and is gearing up for more beginning Jan. 18.
Lake County Journal
Magician awes kids, adults at KeyLime Cove
As he wanders around the Gurnee resort in his trademark velvet suit, Christie easily captures the attention of children and adults alike with his “close-up magic.”. “I use cards, coins, rubber bands, straws, people’s minds,” the 38-year-old Spring Grove resident said. “I call myself a master deceptionist.”.
Lake County Journal
Grayslake pediatrician helps invent potty training toy
Grayslake pediatrician Shelly Mann has been advising parents on potty training methods since 1990. “So many parents are so anxious about it and unsure what to do,” the doctor said. To help make reaching this milestone easier on parents and children, Mann teamed up with longtime friend and inventor Fred Longenecker of Indiana to develop the Potty Duck, an interactive squirt toy that demonstrates how to use the toilet.
Lake County Journal
Libertyville dentist caters to fearful patients
“There are just so many people who are afraid of going to the dentist and are embarrassed to talk about it,” said Dr. David Potts, owner of Lake County Dental Care. His Libertyville practice, established in 1974, specializes in diminishing the stress of fearful patients through oral conscious sedation, so they can get the care they need.
Lake County Journal
Volo Sportsplex rises to meet community demand
From tiny ballerinas rushing in from the cold for their dance lesson to a traveling girls volleyball team practicing on NCAA regulation-size courts, the Volo Sportsplex is a revolving door of athletic activity on any given night. “We have families that are here every day of the week doing different activities,” general manager Deliah Glasby said.
Lake County Journal
Gurnee Mills’ long-running holiday gift wrapping service benefits area nonprofits
You've spent a tiring day shopping for the perfect holiday gifts at Gurnee Mills and aren’t looking forward to all the wrapping that follows. Customers can take advantage of the mall’s holiday gift wrapping service with the proceeds benefitting local nonprofit organizations and the Simon Youth Foundation, which awards college scholarships to at-risk high school students.
Lake County Journal
Lake County food pantries welcome your donations
One in seven residents in the Northern Illinois Food Bank’s 13-county service area relies on the organization and their network of 800 community partners to feed themselves and their families. They are your relatives, friends, coworkers and neighbors, perhaps even you. Though the need for donations is year-round, the winter holiday season is the busiest time of year for local food pantries.
Lake County Journal
Cut your own Christmas tree at farms in Lake Villa
Artificial trees are more practical, but those who prefer the real thing can find it at Sullivan Family Christmas Tree Farm in Lake Villa. Sullivan’s has been family owned since the seventies and has offered cut-your-own trees for about 20 years. “People who come out to cut their own tree usually come early.
Lake County Journal
Downtown Antioch transforms into Dickens Holiday Village for Christmas
The enchanting, and sometimes depressing, world of Charles Dickens is alive in downtown Antioch now through Christmas. Stroll the sidewalks of Main and Lake streets to see nearly 50 life-sized, handmade wooden characters in scenes with their own storylines, created by dozens of volunteers. From the wooden mannequins in their period clothing to the stories that appear on their plaques, “Everything is made by our volunteers,” she said.
Lake County Journal
’Tis the giving season
One of the longest running holiday toy drives in the country is the U. Marine Corps Reserve’s Toys for Tots program, founded in 1947. If you’re out shopping, chances are excellent you’ll come across one of their collection boxes, which are located all around Lake County, from businesses to fire departments to government offices.
Lake County Journal

About

ANGELA SYKORA

Social Media Management

Website Editing/Management

Print News Journalism

Writing/Reporting/Editing

SEO

Interviewing

AP Style

Freelance Writing

Magazine Writing

Web Content Writing

Digital Media

Communications

Digital Photography/Video

Analytics

Content Management

Mac/PC

MS Word and Outlook

New Media Journalism

I'm an experienced communications coordinator and multimedia journalist.

My skills include website and social media management for government and media organizations, writing press releases, shooting and editing photos and video, interviewing and reporting, and writing and editing stories for digital and print news publications.

In my most recent position, I served as the Communications Coordinator for Ela Township, based in Lake Zurich, Illinois.

I've been a news junkie since age 12, when I appeared as an on-air reporter for "Action News for Kids" on WTAJ-TV 10 in Altoona, Pennsylvania.

At the University of Pittsburgh, I studied journalism and completed a newsroom internship at WTAE-TV.

My first journalism job was working as a reporter for a community weekly in Grayslake, Illinois. I was soon hired as a staff writer for Pioneer Press/Sun-Times Media, a position I held for 10 years.

I was also a reporter and editor for AOL's hyperlocal Patch.com, where I wrote and posted news and feature stories, shot photos and videos and managed Patch Facebook and Twitter accounts.

I am actively seeking a full or part-time staff position related to media, communications or public relations.