The last four years of my life have been dedicated to academics and all the studying that comes with it. It sounds horrible, I know, but my life changed for the better when I decided to attend Collegiate High School.
As a middle schooler, I really didn’t know what Collegiate was or of the nature of the school. However, I applied because I heard it was small and offered a lot of opportunities and at that time in my life I was being bullied by a group of kids and wanted to get away from that atmosphere. It scared me horribly to walk into a large cafeteria and face the brutality of some students.
Collegiate isn’t like that. The staff, teachers and students shaped it into a welcoming community. Students are motivated and dedicated to the passion of their career. It’s one big family, and if there’s one thing I’ve learned while attending (there are many), it’s strive for what you want to be.
Since age 14 I’ve known I wanted to spend the rest of my life and career dedicated to the art of journalism, and after spending a lot of my time in the library in middle school, reading books, I knew I wanted to be a writer.
Knowing the world needs someone to aid and shine a light on the many secrets hiding from the people’s eyes, it is in my interest to share the madness and wonders of the world. I plan to spend the rest of my future and career shining a light on local, national and world events important to the public ear.
I really learned my junior year of high school how essential journalism is to the democracy we have in the United States and I began taking college classes focused on journalism, even writing for the college newspaper, the Foghorn News. While writing for the Foghorn, I was able to experience and learn more about journalism ethics and coverage. I’ve had the pleasure to work with fellow reporters and advisers who have taught me to be a stronger writer.
While writing for the college newspaper, I covered Muslim discrimination, Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA), sex education in Texas, sexual harassment, domestic violence, and I even started a history column, along with many more stories I felt needed a brighter light shined on them.
So as my time here comes to an end, I want to give a huge shout out all my friends, teachers and fellow student journalists who have helped me along the way. Thank you to all the readers and people who took the time to email me about the stories I write of others. It really means a lot to me.
I’ve got to say some of the best moments I’ve had at Collegiate were spent in the journalism lab at Del Mar, and I’m very proud of the achievements I’ve accomplished within my time here. So if you have an interest, stop by and talk to the students and advisers!
Furthermore, soon I’ll be walking the stage, graduating with my associate degree and high school diploma. All the knowledge I’ve attained will be worked toward my responsibility to use my opportunities with the world, as I hope to travel around the globe, covering people’s stories of culture and politics.
I will be attending the University of North Texas, receiving a bachelor’s degree in journalism with a minor in international studies. Then, hopefully I’ll be earning my master’s degree in Boston or New York.
People’s stories matter and I only wish to spend the rest of my life sharing them and conquering the challenges of our world as a news writer.
