Natalie Bruzon Begins Duties As Orchard News Editor

Florida native Natalie Bruzon began her new role this week as editor of The Orchard News. 

Bruzon (pronounced bruise-on) originally hails from Orlando, Florida, and recently graduated from Union College. Bruzon has lived in various countries over the years and decided to officially call Nebraska home after spending the last four years in college at Lincoln.

With a bachelor of arts degree in communications and an emphasis in publication relations and emerging media, Bruzon dedicated her college career to helping the Union College student newspaper grow. While there, she helped implement a social media platform for the newspaper while growing its print-based readership. 

"I am excited to combine my passion for newspapers and community building as The Orchard News editor,” said Bruzon. “Although I worked for my college paper for four years, I didn’t really know I wanted to pursue a career in journalism until I met with Carrie (Pitzer) in Neligh. When I left I thought, ‘This is exactly where I want to be,’ so I’m beyond excited about this opportunity."

Pitzer Digital LLC - owned by Orchard High School graduate Carrie Pitzer and her husband, Wade - purchased The Orchard News in mid-February from John and Lucy Ferguson. The company immediately updated the newspaper's design and switched to a printer with a state-of-the-art color press. Pitzer said subscriptions have increased about 20 percent since the purchase. 

Pitzer said she was pleased with the interest in the Orchard editor position and received over a dozen applications from journalists in several states. She said Bruzon is a good fit for the position with not only her experience in rejuvenating a newspaper, but her passion for community development.

"Natalie and our staff made an instant connection," Pitzer said. "She spent time in Orchard before we offered her the position, and I think she's really going to have a positive impact in the Orchard and Clearwater communities."

Bruzon lived in several countries growing up, providing the 21-year-old an interesting perspective now on Antelope County. Of all the places she's lived, Bruzon said she really enjoyed Tanzania and the Middle East the most. 

"My parents were teachers, so teaching in other countries really appealed to their adventurous nature," Bruzon said. "I lived with them in South Korea and then moved to Utah for boarding school. While in school, I spent a semester teaching health in Tanzania and Zambia. I then went to the Middle East for my senior year, where my parents were teaching, and I finished high school online."

Despite having received a scholarship to attend Yale University, Bruzon chose Union College in Lincoln after falling in love with Nebraska during a visit to the state. She intended on being a pre-med major at Yale but eventually settled on communications while in Lincoln. 

Bruzon moved to Orchard earlier this week and will spend most of her time working out of the Orchard office. Pitzer said Bruzon will work closely with typesetter Vicki Willats and graphic designer Sam Cleveland, as well as Antelope County News reporters Logan Lawson, Jaimie Schmitz and Jenny Higgins. 

Bruzon will not only serve as editor in Orchard but will assist in reporting for Pitzer Digital's media division, including the Antelope County News, based upon her availability. 

"We're excited to have Natalie join our growing staff," Pitzer said. "Having just moved to Orchard, she's anxious to meet the residents and get to know everyone. I encourage people to introduce themselves and get to know Natalie."

Bruzon can be reached by calling 402-893-2535 or by email at [email protected] or [email protected].