It all started with a connection with a friend, who made me want to join journalism. She had told me, it’ll be a fun and easy class, something she knew I would be interested in and wanted to do. I originally joined the class back in my sophomore year because of her. Having a friend in the class made me enjoy not only getting to spend time with her, but also learn something new. That was writing my first article.
My very first article was published October 21, 2022. This was an article about the team I had recently joined and how I was learning more about the sport of rugby. Rugby has been an important sport to me because of the sense of community and camaraderie between players. So in that article, I had decided to choose the headline of “Rugby is more than just a sport.” Talking about how the team works together off the field with team bonding, volunteering, and after game socials. This helped me understand that rugby is special and unique. In the sports I had done before, we never had a social moment after the game where we got to talk with players, and meet them. I was proud of this first article because it was what led me into my other articles I wanted to write about.
That is what is significant in this class, you are writing but also learning about what topic or issue you can discuss. If I had to give advice, it would have to be to not give up on the task at hand. Keep pushing and working hard, because in the end it’ll be worth it.
Taking up the role as editor-in-chief has been an honor and also a lesson in itself. I hadn’t been given this type of leadership role before, so it was new to me. When I started this first semester I had planned my goal of at least getting an editor because I had thought “how bad could it be?” It ended up being the best choice I made in journalism. I was able to meet my groups and work with them each semester. Having someone look up to you or even just know you are there for a helping hand is a total experience. Because being a leader to me, you are there for your peers, looking out for them, and not being overbearing or controlling.
I didn’t think that it would lead me to where I am today. Writing for me felt like the hardest task, when I was younger. But over the four years of high school, I have been able to perfect my writing and hone in and gain confidence in what I write about. Journalism is an outlet for the student’s voice, and I am glad I was able to share my thoughts with whomever read my articles.
