Reporting & Writing
As high school journalists, we stand at the intersection of information and inspiration, forging a connection that empowers our community to make informed decisions and shape a brighter future. We bear witness to the stories that define our high school experience, preserving them for generations to come. In this role, we become storytellers, cultivating skills that will serve us well beyond the school walls and into the world at large. Please read below insights from some of my journalistic portfolio.
"Alum Ivan Allen Jr. leaves lasting impact as Atlanta mayor"
On the 70th anniversary of the Civil Rights Act, I wrote this story to honor an alum of my school and former Atlanta mayor Ivan Allen. Shocked by the lack of knowledge in the student body about his courageous leadership, I thought this story could commemorate and bring awareness to his contributions to out city. It was a privilege to interview the mayor, relatives, and city leaders of the Ivan Allen Jr. Prize for Social Courage. This profile was transformative in my ability to conduct in-depth reporting at a higher level.
"Vibrant Atlanta LGBTQ+ community confronts modern struggles"
During Atlanta PRIDE celebration, the LGBTQ community in Atlanta confronted unique challenges with increasing legislative and political pressures. This story was set out to elevate the voices of Atlanta's youth queer community in these testing times. I had the privilege of interviewing leaders from across the city and state, including officials from the mayor's office and Georgia Equality Coalition. This story taught me important reporting skills for challenging and raw topics.
"Interim Superintendent Battle takes the helm, pledges visionary leadership"
This story was part of a series that I have done covering the superintendent transition in the past 2022-23 summer. Most of the current coverage had broadly stated the interim superintendent's qualifications and plans but had not dug deeper to get community testimonials or a more personal perspective. Through attending school visits and engaging with teachers, administrators, and students, the story culminated into a more comprehensive view of what was in store for the next year in the district.
"Fulton County takes national stage with historic Trump indictment"
Writing a story about the Georgia Trump indictments was a profoundly important and impactful experience as a journalist. This case was not just a news event but a significant moment in our nation's history. Reporting on these indictments meant being a guardian of truth, a purveyor of transparency, and a catalyst for open discourse in a time of heightened political polarization. With this story, the clear missing component in national coverage was the impact on the local Atlanta, and specifically youth, community. By interviewing sources from experts in the field to passionate students to protesters on-site at Fulton County Jail as Trump was committed, I was able to elevate the voices of the local community at this imperative time. In this context, writing about the Georgia Trump indictments was not just a journalistic duty, but a contribution to the preservation of our democratic values and the pursuit of justice.
"Former Principal Murray leaves 23 year legacy of tireless dedication"
After the unfortunate passing of the longest serving principal in Midtown High School's history, I took on the role of crafting a piece that truly paid tribute to Principal Murray's character and impact on the community. By attending his service and preceding events to honor him, I was able to gain that intimate perspective on how he touched all around him and the legacy that he will forever have within our school walls, by deeply valuing the quality of education and success of students.
"Warnock, Walker U.S Senate race heads to December runoff"
As the close Georgia senate race had all eyes pointed at Georgia, and especially at Fulton County, which played a major role in the Democratic votes across the state, it was imperative to deliver high quality, bipartisan reporting. By attending Hershel Walker and Rafael Warnock watch parties on the night of the election, the news team was able to gather quotes of support for both sides, and write breaking news that properly informed the school community.
"Notable Alumni Reflect on Years at Grady"
To commemorate the 150th anniversary of Midtown (formerly Grady) High School, I developed a series of profiles on notable alumni that had made a large impact in their careers. This story was a labor of love, as it took in-depth reporting to contact alumni and track historical records for details of notable moments in Grady history. In the end, it served as a testament of the possibilities of the student population and the unique preparation that Midtown offers for students in the urban center of Atlanta.
