E-mail: natalie.stevens@patch.com
Phone: 630-441-2851
Birthday: December 16

I graduated from Elmhurst College in 2011, where I majored in English writing with minors in communication and art. At college I wrote for Elmhurst's newspaper "The Leader" and served as A&E editor for one year. I've worked on the Elms yearbook as well, and became editor-in-chief my senior year.

Besides writing, I enjoy reading (especially fantasy), drawing, biking, playing tennis and baking. I love elephants and collect them almost obsessively. During the football season I'm glued to the t.v. cheering for my fantasy team, Rampaging Pachyderms, who have won in my league, placed second and squeezed into the semis in the last three years. If it's not football season, I'm  most likely rooting on the White Sox! 

My Beliefs
At  Patch, we promise always to report the facts as objectively as possible  and otherwise adhere to the principles of good journalism. We also  acknowledge that true impartiality is impossible because human beings  have beliefs. In the spirit of simple honesty, we encourage editors to  reveal their beliefs to the extent they feel comfortable. This  disclosure is not a license to inject our beliefs into stories or  dictate coverage according to them. Rather, we hope the knowledge our  beliefs are on the record will cause us to be ever mindful to write,  report and edit in a fair and balanced manner. If you ever see evidence  we failed in this mission, please let us know.

Politics
I don't align myself with either party and will make my decision based on the debates and what each candidate personally stands for and what they want to accomplish during their term. 

Religion
I was born and raised Roman Catholic, but I am accepting of all religious and non-religious backgrounds. I believe that everyone deserves respect, regardless of your own religious views.

Local Hot-Button Issues
Oswego is a growing town with a lot of new businesses coming in, and unfortunately some leaving due to the economy. We also have a very busy school district that many families are engaged with in some way. I will do my best to cover all of these local issues accurately and objectively to make the Oswego Patch your first stop for local news.