My writing was first published on July 29, 2011 (“Why are public schools so afraid of religion?” in The Dallas Morning News). Through 2012, I had only published opinion columns and letters to the editor. Fortunately, this year I was able to not only continue writing op-eds, but also write news articles, concert reviews, features, interviews, listicles and even a cover story.

For a quick summary of my writing this year: Early in 2013, I was first hired for The Horn, where I am now the opinion editor, an opinion columnist and reporter. In March, I joined the staff of the Texas Travesty, the student-produced humor publication at The University of Texas at Austin. Between June and August, I interned with the alt-weekly Dallas Observer. In October, I began my internship with the alt-weekly Austin Chronicle, where I’m still working.

Below, in chronological order, I compiled my ten favorite stories that I wrote during 2013:

“Put the brakes on texting bans“ – The Horn – April 18, 2013:
Opinion column arguing that banning texting while driving is a bad idea.

“Learning the lessons of rejection“ – The Austin American-Statesman – May 18, 2013:
Opinion column discussing what I’ve learned by dealing with rejection. (A version of this column also appeared in The Dallas Morning News.)

“Mac Miller Talks About Religion, Twitter and His New Album, Which is His Best One Yet” – The Dallas Observer – June 25, 2013:
Interview with rapper Mac Miller.

“See the world from a different pew” – The Dallas Morning News – August 2, 2013:
Opinion column advocating the benefits of occasionally attending different churches.

“Graffiti artist brings clothing company to Austin“ – The Horn – August 5, 2013:
News feature about artist and entrepreneur Clif Claycomb and his clothing company The Early Hours.

“The 30 Most Disturbing Songs of All Time“ (NSFW) – Phoenix New Times – August 21, 2013:
Listicle of the most messed-up songs of all time. (Versions of it also appeared in the Dallas Observer and OC Weekly.)

“Stand-up comedy is the most essentially human art form“ – The Horn – October 3, 2013:
Opinion column arguing that stand-up comedy deserves more respect as art.

“Debate: Should Performance-Enhancing Drugs Be Legalized?” – Blue Ridge Outdoors magazine – October 17, 2013:
An opinion piece in which I argued that performance-enhancing drugs should be legalized. On the opposing side, Thomas Murray, the president emeritus of the Hastings Center, a non-profit bioethics research institute, argued that PEDs should not be legalized.

“‘Don’t Call Me Sir’” – The Austin Chronicle – December 6, 2013:
News article about George “Rattlesnake” Ramsey, a fascinating conspiracy-theorist who hopes to become the governor of Texas and then the president of the United States.

“Urban Rail: Which Way to Connect?” – The Austin Chronicle – December 13, 2013:
Cover Story (News Feature) about Austin’s Project Connect, that I co-wrote with Michael King.