Jolie Lorraine Photography

SOAKING IT ALL IN. Senior Jazzy Walker reflects on her love for Journalism.

When I came into high school as a little freshman, it was very bittersweet. I had waited all my life to call myself a “high schooler” or whatever the “cool” term was at the time. I was excited, but very nervous considering the next four years I would be trying to figure out the rest of my life. My nerves were shaken when I stepped into a class, “Intro to Journalistic Reporting.” I signed up for this class because I liked to write, and I thought journalism was fascinating. I had no idea my commencing with journalism would eventually take me to places I had no idea were even possible. 

My freshman year was a little different because we had hybrid learning due to being in the pandemic. Most of the classes I took were hard to take an interest in because of the limited time spent in person. Hybrid classes made it hard for me to retain the information I was learning for the next many years. Yet, Journalism was the only class where I felt normal despite the chaos around me. 

Most people my age were not even thinking about what was next after we received a diploma; however, I knew exactly what I wanted to do. This class secured my hopes of studying journalism. I wanted to go to a big school and work with the best of the best. I had no idea that the next few years would bring me so many connections, opportunities, and a very promising future when I go to further my education. 

Broadcasting is all about connecting with people. I found a passion for sports journalism and because of the opportunities I was given, I was able to work with my local news station and interview Skylar Thompson, a Professional Football Player who is an alumni of my district. I have also worked closely with local businesses in my area, and been able to experience real-world learning by getting to undergo what it is like to announce games and broadcast for people to watch. Over the last four years, I have won awards and received leadership positions, but the most important thing is I have gotten real experience in the journalism field that I can take with me to college and my future career. 

I reflect on my freshman year and think what if I hadn’t taken that class? I think of a world where I didn’t get involved in journalism, and what an awful world that would be for me. The teachers I have had in my past four years have made sure that all of their broadcasting students had access to some type of real experience in the field, which is so important in helping figure out if this is the field for someone.

One of the most important things about Journalism is I have to find my authentic self. I have learned to be creative with how I wrote my stories, and what I wanted to write about. I got to experience creativity on a whole new level and also daily. Journalism has helped me discover what I like: how to get creative with my writing, and how to explore my interests in the field.

I know my passions, and Journalism has empowered me to never settle, to never be content, and to maximize my potential. I have always been willing to take the extra step to put myself at the next level. I have always wanted to be the person who stood out because of their work ethic, and the one that is willing to capitalize on the work they were doing. My journalism classes have allowed me to because there are no restrictions on how much work you can put in. In journalism, you can do however many stories you want to do. I always want to be the person who strives to take the extra step to get to the next level. I always want to continue to develop myself as a student, daughter, sister, and most importantly, as a human being. 

It is so important to continue to develop all aspects of yourself because there is always room for growth. While growth happens, opportunities tend to appear. I always want to take the time to take a step back and ask myself what I can do to improve myself as an individual. I also think it is important to continue to develop because I am not the same person I was my freshman year when I walked into my first journalism class. I think it is so important to acknowledge self-growth and continue to water it. 

I am not the same person now that I will be a year from now, but I know I will always strive to take the steps to improve myself. Next year that might look like taking the time to talk to a professor about that day’s lesson, going on a walk to bring some peace to my life, or making sure I call my Mom and Dad to check in. There are many ways to develop, but I think one should find what they are good at or what they like, do it, and then do it some more.

Journalism has helped me excel in many ways. It has shown me what it is like to develop at something and strive to become a better version of myself. I am thankful that a class I took during my freshman year has influenced me, my career, and the rest of my life. Whether it be knowledge, connections, or responsibility, Journalism has impacted my life for the better.