I never really felt like I fit into a group in my early school years. In elementary school, I sorted classmates into groups — athletes, artists, readers — but where did I fit in? I went back and forth between runners and artists, but I lacked direction. Once I got to middle school, the topic, “What do you wanna be when you grow up?” left my mind blank. I had no idea what the future held for me until I was introduced to journalism.  

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I thought of the news as just people reading headlines on my TV. But what really caught my attention was when I walked into the broadcasting room in sixth grade. I saw sticky notes and stories under a bold red “DEADLINE” sign.

My broadcast teacher, Mrs. Johnson, showed me what journalism meant: informing the public and capturing important stories. At first, I simply observed. I couldn’t wait to go in there each day to learn. I felt like I belonged.

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Before middle school ended, Mrs. Johnson encouraged me to join the high school paper. I was skeptical; the transition from middle school to high school was already nerve-racking enough. Joining a new publication with people I didn’t know made me anxious. But I realized that I found something I was good at and something that made me excited. I didn’t want to lose that feeling. I decided to submit my application to the McIntosh Trail.

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At orientation, I connected instantly with the paper’s adviser, and I knew I’d found my place. Throughout freshman year, I wrote constantly, even outside of class. I never missed deadlines, volunteered for stories, and observed the editorial board closely. I didn't want to edit yet — I just loved contributing. Learning the pitch cycle and handling feedback improved my writing.

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Before journalism, I was very introverted, but once I practiced interviewing, I was able to walk up to anyone I didn’t know and start a conversation. My biggest fear became my greatest skill. I had been quiet, but journalism gave me confidence.

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In the second semester of my freshman year, I worked on my first big story about golf cart accidents in my area. In my town, golf carts are the main form of transportation. This story ended up taking five months to write because of the amount of research and interviews I went through. I once witnessed a crash firsthand and I captured the photo that became my featured image. That week, the story won a national award — a first for the Trail.

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I feel a sense of responsibility as a writer — fact-checking, gathering perspectives and keeping readers engaged. I had a purpose: I was a storyteller. 

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I found my forte in reporting on topics in my community. One story covered our local Walmart fire. I valued the Trail, and I eventually became Editor-in-Chief in my junior year.

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Now, as a senior and returning Editor-in-Chief, I’m excited for what’s ahead. I want to leave the Trail making an impact and creating new goals and routines that can be passed on to the new staff. The Trail gave me new friends, experiences, and knowledge, but most importantly, it helped me realize my true potential.

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Journalism gave me new dreams for life after high school. It gave my creativity a path and now I find new ways to strengthen our publication. I’m proud of how journalism drives me to learn more and sharpen my writing — a passion I’ll carry in the future.  

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Journalism taught me that everyone is a story, including me. It gave me my purpose, my voice, and the confidence to talk to that person and ask that follow-up question. Wherever I go in my lifetime, I will continue to find the story in every person, and I’ll keep telling them, because everyone has a story — you just have to be willing to find it.