The Series That Shaped Our Year

A note from Managing Editor Hannah Truby:

Earlier this year, I wrote a series on solitary confinement — maybe you remember it.

The Boxes We Build is a three-part series on the uniquely American crisis of solitary confinement, and asks: What does it say about us — as a society, as a justice system — that we continue to lock people in concrete boxes and call it rehabilitation?

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When I first met Frank De Palma, I knew his story illuminated something larger, something that needed to be shared. What I didn’t know was just how much time and energy reporting on a subject as complex and far-reaching as solitary confinement would require.

When I first pitched the idea to the Ally team, I was met not only with approval and a chorus of “yeah, go for it’s,” but with sustained encouragement throughout the entire process—along with all the editing and fact-checking support the series needed (thank you, Noah).

It turned out to be the most daunting assignment I’d taken on thus far. I say that without bitterness—in fact, with real fondness—because reporting it was the great honor of my year as a journalist. But it took a lot. Trying to encapsulate Frank’s story while also providing meaningful background, expert insight, and a human-rights-driven philosophical analysis simply couldn’t be done in one article. If I had tried, even our most devoted readers might not have made it to the end. A series was the only way to do it justice.

Frank’s experience taught me many things—perhaps most of all about our innate, enduring desire for connection, and about what remains in a person when everything else—time, human touch, even identity—is taken away.

What he had to share is nothing short of a testament to the human spirit.

And I thought: if nothing else, if there’s meaning to be found in suffering, perhaps it lies in the telling of it.

I worried, at first, that a multi-part series might lose readers—after all, attention is currency in today’s digital age. Instead, it became one of our most-engaged-with projects of the year. I knew Frank’s story held something special, but seeing how deeply it resonated with Ally readers meant a great deal to me, both professionally and personally.

Thank you—truly—for being here, for reading, and for caring about stories like Frank’s. Your support makes this work possible. As we look back on the year, here are some of the series you helped bring to life.

The Boxes We Build, by Hannah Truby

Frank’s story and subsequent series wasn’t the only multi-part projects we published this year. Our outdoors writer Matt Johanson chronicled his journey across the Pacific Crest Trail, an adventure that simple words and photos can’t fully encapsulate. Yet, through six pieces, Matt took us all on a personal trek through one of America’s cherished outdoor challenges and encouraged us all to take on our own adventure.

A Pacific Crest Trail Journey, by Matt Johanson

We also published a series highlighting the diverse and unique experiences within a community that is often celebrated, but not regularly heard from: military veterans. Contributor Mike Escobar, a veteran himself, talked to multiple local veterans to get their perspectives on the important news topics of the day and how policy is affecting their lives today.

Vet Voices, by Mike Escobar

At the Ally, we give space to important cultural and community series. Your support makes it possible.

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