Personal Narrative
Growing up, I always considered myself to be a “words girl”. I was at my best when writing a story or reading a novel. This fascination for storytelling grew with me, a devotion to using my voice taking clear form. My love for journalism drives me to turn blank pages into stories, and words into vivid expressions of life.
Moving to a new school before freshman year, it is safe to say I was terrified. The idea of a large campus filled with new faces and people was overwhelming, but suddenly, an opportunity arose: the chance to uncover new stories. Sitting in journalism class, a freshly arrived cog to a well-oiled machine, I found myself intrigued rather than scared.
As I learned about and mastered the seemingly mundane “5ws and H” of journalism, each technicality became a new clause. Rather than taking an issue at face value, I delve deeper into the who, what, and most importantly, the why. Reporting became a way for me to understand the complexity of the world around me– a way to move beyond the boundaries and uncover something far more meaningful.
With time and experience, my passion grew. From supply chain crises to sexual extortion, my stories become increasingly more layered to match the complexity of the issues I report on. The questions I craft before each interview are impactful and intricate, pushing limits and dissecting a topic at its core.
However, the road is not always smooth; reporting on such complex issues often leads me to dead ends, challenging my ability and daring me to drop the story. This obstacle first revealed itself to me in my second year of journalism, when I decided to report on the racism and ignorance many students felt on campus.
The topic was sensitive, but I was fired up and prepared to attack it head on. Ready, I generated hard-hitting questions and reached out to potential sources for an interview. Then, little by little, I received the same response: “No”. Shocked, I took stock of the situation. I had no sources, no quotes, and therefore no story. I thought I would have no choice but to abandon it.
Refusing to quit, I reframed the angle. Instead of an article exposing the flaws of our campus, it would be a call to change. Employing the “H” of the familiar journalistic acronym, I asked how we as a community can be better. Suddenly, the conversation was reopened. Students, teachers, and even our vice-principal and principal were willing to discuss the steps necessary for improving.
Understanding the importance of the questions we ask and the stories we report on was a lesson that proved to be imperative to my growth as a journalist. Now in my fourth year, instead of perceiving obstacles as the end of a road, I look at them as opportunities to improve my angle and pave a new path. My persistence and dedication to having the conversations that make a difference on campus has impacted those around me and opened the doors for change.
Journalism connects us to others and has the capability to unite communities and inspire change. Though on the very cusp of my career, I aim to continue using my voice to represent those who often go unheard. Each story goes beyond a simple headline or subject, instead carrying an immense weight that I intend to honor and uphold. My passion for journalism has formed who I am today, and pushes me to be better tomorrow.