Kyra Parrow

I am a journalist seeking freelance work and photography assignments. 

VoxPopuli •

Cities say replacing SROs with armed Guardians is OCPS idea

Five Orange County municipalities — branded hold-outs for not accepting Orange County Public Schools’ initial contract offer for school resource officers — pushed back hard on the school district’s fearmongering email sent to parents earlier this week. The email urged parents to contact their city commissioners about preventing SROs from being replaced with armed Guardians, who have less training and fewer tools, if the district couldn't reach salary agreements with the municipalities’ law enforcement agencies.
VoxPopuli •

Ocoee erects memorial to Black residents, killed or forced to flee, in the city's 1920 Election Day Massacre

In the heart of downtown Ocoee, in the new Unity Park,
the city has erected a memorial to the 263 Black residents who were murdered, wounded or driven from their homes by a mob of armed white men on Election Day in 1920, an event considered the deadliest day in the history of Election Day violence — the 1920 Ocoee Massacre.

The memorial was unveiled Nov. 2 at a private event for descendants of survivors and invited guests.
The Charge •

To the beat of his own drums: Maxwell Frost’s passion for music, social change drives campaign

Just like any typical 25-year-old, Maxwell Frost’s speakers blast Rico Nasty, Harry Styles and The 1975. Not in the comfort of his home, but rather in his campaign office in Florida’s 10th Congressional District.

“Music is more than just my hobby — it's part of my life,” Frost said. “Music and art gave me permission to be vulnerable. It really dared me to think outside the box, always question things and think about things differently.”
The Charge •

Political commentator Matt Walsh visits UCF, garners mixed reactions from students

Conservative political commentator Matt Walsh warned a crowd of UCF students that gender ideology wages an assault on their reality in the Student Union Tuesday night.

“The untruth of the core of gender ideology phenomenon and so-called transgender phenomenon reaches down to the deepest conceivable levels,” Walsh said during his speech. “Gender ideology wages its assault against not just our reality but our knowledge of ourselves.”
The Charge •

Master's student charges through difficulties

Rough sidewalks are not the only obstacles Jonathan Trufant has to navigate as a master’s student.

“I've been in a wheelchair since I was five,” Trufant said. “I've been disabled since I was born. It's been a good chunk of time.”

Trufant was born with cerebral palsy, a birth defect caused from a lack of oxygen when he was born. He said he has lived in a wheelchair since he was a child.

Growing up, he said he never imagined he would reach academic milestones like receiving his bachelor's degre
The Charge •

UCF student helps shape national politics

In a small theater in downtown Orlando, speakers blasted Kendrick Lamar while Rayanne Anid clung to her friend Maxwell Frost moments after finding out he won his seat in Congress on Election night.

Camera crews, supporters, and organizers crowded into the tight space as a roaring celebration vibrated underneath the floorboards and into the walls at the watch party. Anid, a recent UCF political science graduate, helped Frost in his historic election campaign to become the first member of Gen-Z elected as a congressman.
The Charge •

Taking charge: UCF students bring their voting concerns to the polls

In the scorching Florida sun and with her clipboard in hand, Allison Minnerly registers students like Julia Joseph to vote.

Joseph is one out of 550 students Minnerly helped register to vote with People Power for Florida, a voter registration organization founded in 2017 by Anna V. Eskamani. With the midterm election around the corner, Joseph is one of the many students bringing their concerns to the polls; abortion access, LGBTQ+ rights and affordable housing is something Minnerly hears a lot when talking to voters.