My high school journey started with the bustling freshman day activity fair. As I clutched my hands and held my head down I carefully navigated through the crowded gym as booths adorned the space, showcasing students from all walks of life. The daunting task lay before me – choosing who I would become over the next four years. 

​

My dad, eager to help, nudged me over to the football and basketball booth – an immediate no. The drama club was the next stop, followed by a rejection and the biking club was dismissed without a second thought. After exploring what seemed to be nearly every club and activity Millard West High School had to offer, there remained one more – Journalism.

​

Filled with dynamic newspaper issues, vibrant yearbook covers, captivating photos and glistening trophies, the Journalism booth seemed to perfectly capture my passion. It resonated with what I loved most: expressing creativity through graphic design, writing and storytelling. At that moment, I knew I had found my niche.

​

As I started my journey in high school as a wide eyed freshman, I spent every day waiting for my Intro to Journalism class last block. Within the walls of room 312, I engaged in broadcasting, reporting and writing, in addition to design and Photoshop. Through my experiences, I honed my skills, laying down the groundwork for my future endeavors in journalism. 

​

I then made the deliberate choice to include Advanced Journalism in my academic roster for sophomore year. With the challenge of an advanced class, I encountered more rigorous coursework and tighter deadlines. However, I found comfort in my peers, who like me, were driven by a shared passion for journalism. Through my own grit and their guidance, I refined my skills and established a firm foothold in the dynamic field of journalism. 

​

My achievements led me to become the Editor-in-Chief of the Catalyst my junior year. I spent hours in front of my desktop utilizing Adobe InDesign as a medium to channel my creative ideas. Through the culmination of images, text and design, I slowly developed a passion for the art of storytelling through impactful visuals. Through my hard work and dedication, the Catalyst newspaper earned an NHSPA Cornhusker award(the highest award given to publications in the state of Nebraska). 

​

However as Editor-in-Chief of the Catalyst newspaper, I have had to face several obstacles along the way. At the start of my junior year our staff consisted of over 30 members; however, at the end of the year the Catalyst newspaper staff had dwindled down to just seven students. The idea of building a newspaper with such a small team seemed daunting, if not impossible. Yet, through our collective dedication and perseverance, my peers and I managed to overcome the odds and make it work.

​

Toward the end of my junior year, myself and the remaining six Catalyst staff reporters immersed ourselves in the dynamic field of radio broadcasting. Nebraska Broadcasters Association President, Jim Timm, and Radio DJ Kurt Owens delivered a briefcase to Millard West High School, unveiling the Nebraska High School Radio Project. In just three days, we accomplished the extraordinary feat of piloting "The Uproar," the very first production of the High School Radio Project in the nation. To be the pioneers of the High School Radio Project was nothing short of monumental. During our time with the Nebraska High School Radio Project we crafted segments, curated playlists and voice tracked, delivering an experience that captivated listeners nationwide. 

​

As a vital member of the Advanced Broadcasting class, I anchored for the MWHS Wildcat News and created broadcast packages for our online newsite. I spent my time outside of class, meticulously filming B-roll and conducting interviews. Within class, I spent hours editing clips on iMovie and recording voice overs. Through the lens of broadcasting, I've brought to light important stories that resonated with our viewers. My dedication to the craft did not go unnoticed, as I received a Gold Pinnacle Award from the Nebraska Broadcasters Association for Best News Broadcast-Audio.

 

As I continued my journey throughout the Journalism program at Millard West, I had one more class to add to my roster: Yearbook. Standing on the sidelines of countless sporting events, I discovered a new way to share stories through photography. In addition, as the Senior Tribute editor for the Prowler Yearbook, I continued to pursue my appreciation for design, arranging photos, text and graphics to create lasting memories for hundreds of families, capturing their essence on paper for generations to cherish. 

​

As I look ahead to college, my experiences as a high school journalist have laid the foundation for a future in journalism. I hope to carry forward the experiences and lessons I learned in high school and contribute to a broader dialogue that transcends boundaries, fostering an understanding in a world hungry for authentic stories.

​​