Times Observer photo by Lorri Drumm Katie Miktuk.

The field of journalism has grown and in doing so the Times Observer has reaped the benefits.

Katie Miktuk, of Jamestown, N.Y. joined the staff Monday as a full-time reporter. The job marks Miktuk’s first stint as a reporter, although writing has been a part of her life from about the time she could spell.

Miktuk has always had a passion and talent for writing and enjoys writing poetry in her spare time. She believes it is one of the greatest forms of expression and finds it to be stress relieving and exciting all in one.

The variety of assignments required of a reporter attracted Miktuk to her new career. She looks forward to covering a breaking news story at some point.

Miktuk also believes in the value of a local news source. “It’s the core of the community,” she said as she held a copy of Monday’s edition. “It brings the community together.”

She was born, raised, and currently resides in Jamestown, NY. She graduated from Jamestown High School. During her high school career, she was a woman of many talents. She was a member of the school’s concert band, concert orchestra, the A Capella Choir, and was also the drum major of the Jamestown High School Marching Band for two of the four seasons that she was a member.

A self-proclaimed one-woman-band, she can play eight different instruments in both the wind and string families. Her two main instruments are the clarinet and viola.

When she isn’t running scales, she runs for pleasure. Following her musical career in high school, she went on to run cross country and track as a distance runner for Jamestown High School.

In her personal time, she enjoys spending time staying active lifting weights in the gym and thinking of new creations to add to her list of signature baked goods. She values spending time with her family and can’t get enough of her eleven year old dog, Chocolate, whom she’s had since she was ten.

She also enjoys traveling as much as possible. Her list of favorite destinations includes Spain and France. Her dearest pal is most likely Mickey Mouse in Walt Disney World. Her love and interest in history has led her on adventures to places such as Colonial Williamsburg in Williamsburg, Va. and The Henry Ford Museum in Dearborn, Mich.

“The Times Observer welcomes Katie to the news staff,” said Managing Editor Jon Sitler. “She is going to add another dynamic to our already solid, experienced news team, with a wonderful personality and strong work ethic. We look forward to introducing her to the community.”

Miktuk said she is looking forward to beginning a career in writing and journalism and credits her passion for literature to her seventh grade english teacher who always encouraged her and pushed her to become the writer she is today.