The Mitchell News-Journal welcomed new editor Mariel Williams to its staff last week. Williams is an experienced journalist with a diverse background. Growing up in Yancey County, William’s journalism aspirations began with a desire to write as a child.
“When I was a kid I used to tell people I wanted to be a writer, and they would tell me to write for a newspaper,” Williams recalled.
Williams majored in history and volunteered for the student newspaper during college. She began her professional career at The Press-Sentinel in Jesup, Ga., an affiliate newspaper of the Mitchell News-Journal.
“My first job I covered town government, crime, and general assignment for four years. I learned a lot,” Williams said.
She then worked as a missionary in Malawi for a year and traveled around India for five months. After returning to the U.S., she freelanced in Burnsville and Austin, Texas, before securing a full-time position at a newspaper in Temple, Texas.
Williams later pursued a master’s program in European and Eurasian Studies at George Washington University, but returned to Burnsville during the coronavirus pandemic, writing for Smokey Mountain Living magazine as a freelancer.
Beyond journalism, Williams enjoys writing fiction and hiking.
“I’m happy to be here,” Williams said. “I am excited to learn about all the different parts of the community and how they work. My hope is that [our coverage] is thorough, accurate, interesting, and fun to read.”
William replaces Quintas, whose last day was Friday.