Sonja Hansell's Portfolio

About me!

Hello! I’m Sonja Hansell.

I went to Grand Valley State University for Broadcast Journalism and minored in Digital Studies, and I have always had a passion for storytelling. In my last semester, I had the opportunity to be a part of West Side Stories Television, a student production that aired on PBS. My stories ranged from politics to small businesses, but regardless of subject matter, I always focused on people– showcasing voices and helping viewers learn new information. One story focused on Yesterdog, a 50-year-old Grand Rapids hot dog restaurant with unique branding.

I also had the pleasure of working for a low-power, 501(c)(3) nonprofit community radio station in Grand Haven, Michigan called WAWL. Here, I read announcements on-air for local community businesses and events, which I attended. I also edited the station’s tri-annual magazine that was distributed to the people of Grand Haven, further integrating myself into the local community.

I thrive in the fast-paced environments of news and content creation, always staying up to date with current information and trends, but it is also important to slow down and take a good look at the everyday people in our communities– this is where the best stories come from.

Telling these stories is what I love to do, whatever the subject is, and I am looking forward to continuing this in my career.