Testimonial

The clack of keyboards fills the production room. Editors are huddled around a cluttered computer, with printed drafts scattered across the room, marking our progress during deadline week. This is my community—the school newspaper, where we shape how our readers see the world. 

 

I joined the paper as a freshman, partly because my friend was in the class. Little did I know that choice would open up new opportunities and experiences. Over time, I began to see the paper as more than the final product of a month’s work. It became a powerful way to drive change and express myself creatively. However, stepping into the role of a reporter wasn’t easy. I was shy, hesitant to approach sources, but I knew that if I wanted to write meaningful stories, I had to overcome my own insecurities.

 

I made it my mission to amplify voices that often go unheard, especially those connected to Detroit. One of the most impactful stories I wrote tackled the stigma surrounding the city. With much of our readership residing in the metropolitan area, I saw how media outlets often skewed the narrative—focusing on crime and hardship while ignoring the city’s liveliness and resilience. Through reporting on Detroit’s dropping crime rates, thriving art scene and successful sports teams, I worked to shift the narrative. Journalism gave me the power to tell a fuller, more accurate story that challenges misconceptions.

 

Now, as Editor-in-Chief, I balance being both a mentor and a learner. I teach our staff how to ask thoughtful questions, write compelling stories and design outside-of-the-box stories. Yet, I also learn from them—new angles, fresh perspectives and bold ideas that help shape my own growth as a journalist.

 

Next year, I will attend Barnard College of Columbia University in New York City, where I hope to immerse myself in its journalistic opportunities. I hope to contribute to campus publications like the Barnard Zine Collective, Hoot Magazine, or the Columbia Daily Spectator. But more than anything, I want to continue using my writing and design to challenge perspectives and tell stories that matter.

 

Journalism has shown me that storytelling is a form of activism and can give a voice to stories that inspire change. In shaping these narratives, I have found my purpose, my passion and a community that believes in the power of words.