Not many 11-year-olds can be found writing a newspaper for their family. But I was. Editions of “Sprouse House News” were released on a monthly basis. Later, I made my publication into a video broadcast. What seemed to be a silly, creative hobby is now the realization of a passion for storytelling I’ve had from a young age. 

Years have gone by, but my passion for storytelling has never gone away. Today, my love for journalism has only deepened and is fueled by my college coursework, work experiences and motivation to share stories of my community for the public good.

I am currently a senior journalism student at Lee University. I have the honor to work as the Life Editor for the Lee Clarion, and from time to time, I go on-air as an anchor for Lee’s campus broadcast, Lee Update.

Since the fall of 2023, I have been a requisite part of the Lee Clarion, writing numerous articles for both online and print publication. Additionally, my work has been printed in Lee’s biannual magazine, Vindagua.

During my academic journey, I have learned an array of skills essential to being a journalist. From researching to interviewing to writing to editing, I have come to love the process of crafting stories that matter. I understand the use of technology to help expand on storytelling capacities through my experience with several software programs including Adobe Premiere Pro, Illustrator and Photoshop. With a certification in social media marketing, I grasp the evolving medium and its effects on sharing stories for journalistic purposes.

My passion at its core is the desire to share factual information to keep the community informed, and always reporting for the good of the public above all else. Journalism is an influential career path that has the power to inform on a local and global scale. It also enables the beautiful opportunity to give a voice to the voiceless and share stories that might inspire others.

As I continue to learn what it takes to be a journalist, I am excited to continue to embark on this adventure of learning to be an advocate of truth, a seeker of justice and a voice to the voiceless. It is a responsibility I do not take lightly, but it is one that ignites my motivation to never stop learning and to improve my skills to serve both my community and the world well.