A lifelong Rhode Islander, Samantha has called North Kingstown home since she was three years old. Her reporting career began when she was a sophomore at North Kingstown High School, writing for the school's newspaper, The Current Wave. She eventually served as the paper's editor-in-chief and was awarded the Al Neuharth Free Spirit Award in 2006.
Further proving her inability to leave Washington County, Samantha attended the University of Rhode Island where she graduated summa cum laude in 2010 with degrees in journalism and political science. During her time at URI, Samantha gathered a bevy of professional experience ranging from internships with the Office of the Lieutenant Governor, the Governor's Commission on Disabilities, WRNI, and Rhode Island Monthly as well as serving as a reporter and ads manager for the university's newspaper, The Good 5 Cent Cigar. Your Beliefs I joined Patch because I believe in providing accurate news, both comprehensively and proportionately. Though it may seem hard to believe, journalists are human and we do come with our own beliefs. Despite my beliefs, I always adhere to this quote from Voltaire even in the most extreme situations: "I disapprove of what you say, but I will defend to the death your right to say it." Politics Although I'm a registered Democrat, don't peg me as a diehard liberal. I've voted for candidates with R's, D's and I's next to their names because I don't vote for a party: I vote for people.   Religion I consider myself rather non-religious. I tried church once, but was told I asked too many questions. (A sign that I may make a good journalist one day, I suppose.) But, if there is a heaven, I hope there's plenty of coffee.   Contact Samantha at samantha.turner@patch.com or 401.862.9881.