Personal Narrative
As I quietly sat listening to announcements in Echo sophomore year, the editor-in-chief asked the same question she did every day. “Is there anything that we aren’t covering that we should be covering?” I had a story about a local business opening that I really wanted to cover. Paralyzed in my seat, I sat overthinking how to speak up. In the end, I was too shy to talk in front of the class so I asked the news editor later that day.
One year later, although I knew I had every qualification for chief, I hesitated to apply. As chief, I would be expected to stand up in front of the class every single day. At this point, I had worked in two editorial positions, but both only required working with small groups. While my confidence had grown significantly, there was still so much room for improvement.
But that year, during a class activity where we had to write something nice about each other on a piece of paper taped to their back, I received a lot of encouragement to apply for chief. I look back now and it wasn’t due to my natural writing ability or alpha personality, as I didn’t have either of these qualities, rather it was likely a combination of my work ethic and collaborative temperament.
I was never too shy to walk up to a random student in the cafeteria and ask for an interview, but I was too shy to talk in front of the class or sometimes even ask a simple question to an editor. When I am out being a journalist my worries fly away and suddenly I can do things I’ve been too afraid to do. With practice, the confidence I have when working on a story transferred to the rest of my life.
I had initially joined Echo to improve my writing. I look back at many of my first drafts and the final copies of my stories and I am in awe of how much they improved. I would not have gotten where I am now if it wasn’t for the editors who worked with me through thick and thin. Because of that, I always go out of my way to work with other staffers. This can mean anything from answering questions to co-writing or interviewing with a less experienced staffer to pass on what I have learned. I suspect I have an unusual amount of patience given my own personal journey.
From the moment I saw my name on my first byline, I was hooked. Journalism took over my life in the best way possible. Suddenly I wasn't just focused on getting through school, I had a passion I could explore in all parts of my life.
I wrote my International Baccalaureate extended essay on the ways former President Donald Trump used propaganda to manipulate the media, I completed a summer program with The School of the New York Times and I became a New Voices student leader. It is safe to say that I did not see any of that coming.
I could have chosen to breeze through Echo, taking only the stories and contributions required of me, but instead, I always make a point to challenge myself and get out of my comfort zone. From covering protests to presidential rallies, taking on bigger editing roles, switching to a newsmagazine in the middle of a pandemic or being part of Echo's first animation, my time on Echo has been full of pushing myself to be a better writer, editor and leader, and trying to make the paper as best as it can be.
A few weeks ago in math class, our attendance question was to say something nice about me (we rotated through everyone). A majority of my classmates said something about my passion for journalism. I was initially frustrated that they thought journalism defined me — I had, after all, played varsity soccer among other things. But I came to realize that was the biggest compliment they could have given me. At 17, I not only have purpose and joy from being a journalist, but others see me leading in this arena.
Since joining Echo, my understanding of the world has come through the lens of a journalist. It is not only how I make sense of my world; it is how I contribute to my school and community, and it’s how I intend to make a meaningful difference in this unpredictable world.
One year later, although I knew I had every qualification for chief, I hesitated to apply. As chief, I would be expected to stand up in front of the class every single day. At this point, I had worked in two editorial positions, but both only required working with small groups. While my confidence had grown significantly, there was still so much room for improvement.
But that year, during a class activity where we had to write something nice about each other on a piece of paper taped to their back, I received a lot of encouragement to apply for chief. I look back now and it wasn’t due to my natural writing ability or alpha personality, as I didn’t have either of these qualities, rather it was likely a combination of my work ethic and collaborative temperament.
I was never too shy to walk up to a random student in the cafeteria and ask for an interview, but I was too shy to talk in front of the class or sometimes even ask a simple question to an editor. When I am out being a journalist my worries fly away and suddenly I can do things I’ve been too afraid to do. With practice, the confidence I have when working on a story transferred to the rest of my life.
I had initially joined Echo to improve my writing. I look back at many of my first drafts and the final copies of my stories and I am in awe of how much they improved. I would not have gotten where I am now if it wasn’t for the editors who worked with me through thick and thin. Because of that, I always go out of my way to work with other staffers. This can mean anything from answering questions to co-writing or interviewing with a less experienced staffer to pass on what I have learned. I suspect I have an unusual amount of patience given my own personal journey.
From the moment I saw my name on my first byline, I was hooked. Journalism took over my life in the best way possible. Suddenly I wasn't just focused on getting through school, I had a passion I could explore in all parts of my life.
I wrote my International Baccalaureate extended essay on the ways former President Donald Trump used propaganda to manipulate the media, I completed a summer program with The School of the New York Times and I became a New Voices student leader. It is safe to say that I did not see any of that coming.
I could have chosen to breeze through Echo, taking only the stories and contributions required of me, but instead, I always make a point to challenge myself and get out of my comfort zone. From covering protests to presidential rallies, taking on bigger editing roles, switching to a newsmagazine in the middle of a pandemic or being part of Echo's first animation, my time on Echo has been full of pushing myself to be a better writer, editor and leader, and trying to make the paper as best as it can be.
A few weeks ago in math class, our attendance question was to say something nice about me (we rotated through everyone). A majority of my classmates said something about my passion for journalism. I was initially frustrated that they thought journalism defined me — I had, after all, played varsity soccer among other things. But I came to realize that was the biggest compliment they could have given me. At 17, I not only have purpose and joy from being a journalist, but others see me leading in this arena.
Since joining Echo, my understanding of the world has come through the lens of a journalist. It is not only how I make sense of my world; it is how I contribute to my school and community, and it’s how I intend to make a meaningful difference in this unpredictable world.