Candice Ferrette

At 18 years old, I was a Queens girl who moved into a dorm room at Stony Brook University with every intention of leaving seven years later with a degree in dentistry.

Needless to say, I never saw a career in journalism coming. And when it did, boy, it hit like a ton of bricks.

Every time a person invites me in to tell a story, I believe it comes with great personal responsibility.

From covering breaking news, the police, town government and health care in Westchester - to joining Newsday in 2011 and covering health, education and politics - I've had quite the sampling of beats.

I was raised on the New York City tabloids of the late 1980s and early 90s. There were no fewer than three newspapers at the breakfast table. NY Newsday always felt safe. Like home.

For me, it is an honor to tell the stories of Long Islanders. After having lived in other places, I came home to write about the institutions and people I grew up wanting to know more about.

Every time a person invites me in to tell a story, I believe it comes with great personal responsibility.

For the last six years, I've covered Nassau County government. So, I spend a lot time and energy thinking about social justice, public education and health care, safety, housing, economic development, government policy and political corruption. I think about how legislation can either lead to wasteful spending or a life-saving program.

On my commute home, I wonder how the decisions of lawmakers at a public meeting, or behind closed doors, on every level of government, will impact my family and your family. And how to best tell these stories accurately on deadline.

I hope to continue to build new sources and an understanding of our audience. Read my stories and tell me what you think.

That girl may never be a dentist. But when it comes to reporting, she's not afraid to drill.

Honors and Awards: Various awards from the Long Island Press Club, Society of Professional Journalists, Silurians Press Club, NY State Associated Press Association and the Association of Health Care Journalists. She is a 2004 Chips Quinn Scholar and a member of the Asian American Journalists Association.

Education: Stony Brook University