Anna Schier, Patch Staff

Anna is originally from Northfield MN and graduated from Northfield Senior High School in 2007. She then attended Loyola University of Chicago, where she double majored in English and Women's Studies and Gender Studies, minored in Art History and discovered her passion for community journalism.

During her four years at Loyola, Anna was consistently involved in the writing and production of Loyola's weekly student newspaper, the Loyola Phoenix. At the Phoenix, she worked specifically as an arts reviewer, reporter, columnist, assistant editor and section editor. While attending Loyola, she also interned at Chicago Art Magazine and began freelancing for Northfield Patch, where she discovered her love for hyperlocal reporting.

After graduating in May 2011, Anna briefly moved to Washington DC to work as a press intern for the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts.

Anna is ecstatic to be returning to her home state, where she hopes to strengthen area communities by delivering accurate, engaging and relevant hyperlocal journalism.

<strong>Beliefs</strong>

<i>At Patch, we promise always to report the facts as objectively as possible and otherwise adhere to the principles of good journalism. However, we also acknowledge that true impartiality is impossible because human beings have beliefs. So in the spirit of simple honesty, our policy is to encourage our editors to reveal their beliefs to the extent they feel comfortable.</i>

<i>This disclosure is not a license for us to inject our beliefs into stories or to dictate coverage according to them. In fact, the intent is the opposite: we hope that the knowledge that our beliefs are on the record will cause us to be ever mindful to write, report and edit in a fair, balanced way. And if you ever see evidence that we failed in this mission, please let us know.</i>

<strong>Politics</strong>

<i>* How would you describe your political beliefs?</i>

The extreme bipartisan divide in contemporary America has left me disenchanted with national politics. However, as a former Women&#39;s Studies and Gender Studies major, I have a strong interest in women&#39;s issues and self-identify as a feminist.

<strong>Religion</strong>

<i>* How religious would you say you are? Casual, observant, devout, non-religious?</i>

I was raised Catholic, received a Catholic elementary education and attended a Catholic university. However, these days I would say my strongest spiritual belief is that everything happens for a reason.

<strong>Local Hot Button Issues</strong>

* <i>What do you think are the two or three most important issues facing the community?</i>

Local government and policy is of critical importance, as it affects everyone in the community. And, of course, a community&#39;s schools are integral in determining its future, so education is definitely another important issue.

<i>* Where do you stand on each of these issues?</i>

As with national politics, I tend to form my opinions as issues arise and evolve. My primary stance on community issues is that an engaged and invested community is a strong one.