ABOUT ME

I am a senior at St. Joseph Catholic School in Madison, Mississippi, and a part of the Bruin News Now staff. I have been a part of the staff for four years now, and it is within the walls of the green screen room containing my editing desktop that I have flourished creatively each day. My work is not limited to one area in the class. I produce all the IMC videos for my school, put together packages for the newscast, and anchor the newscast.

My journalism journey started when I was just in seventh grade. Journalism is a class that St. Joe requires all seventh graders to take for one quarter. I was eager to take this class having watched BNN in the years before attending St. Joe. I am a hard worker and knew I wanted to get my hands dirty and contribute to the newscast our class was responsible for producing. In that quarter-long class, I was assigned my first news package. I was anxious to start my very first journalism piece. I learned from my advisor, Mr. Terry Cassreino, how to put a story together. The entire process I quickly fell in love with. I love the tedious editing and the creative aspect of piecing it all together and constructing a script that flows and works with the rest of the story. 

 

I have stuck with the program for my high school years, and my passion for it has only grown stronger. In my first year starting out my primary role was to produce packages for the newscast. Not to say this was my only role because I had my fair share of anchoring and sports reporting, but most of my time and effort went into news packages. This year much has changed. As my skills have grown so have my roles and positions in the class. I have become the lead sports editor along with producing all ICM videos for my school.  

Before joining the Broadcast class I had never been a part of something that I felt was so important to my school community. I had a long list of extracurricular activities, but journalism felt different than anything I was involved in. I for one felt like I had a responsibility that was different than the responsibilities I withheld for my other teams and clubs. It was more than defending the left half of the soccer field or winning my race in a track meet, which only the people on the team truly cared about, I was given a responsibility that extended into my whole school community. I was to put out the news in a reachable and engaging way. Being a natural-born leader, this responsibility quickly became something that I took seriously and I worked very hard to fulfill my role

 

 

Behind the scenes of BNN Season 6 Episode 34. 

 

Outside of journalism, I am deeply engaged in academic pursuits and extracurricular activities that reflect my commitment to excellence and service. As an honors student, I have earned membership in several prestigious Honor Societies, including Mu Alpha Theta Club, English Honor Society, National Honor Society, Rho Kappa Honor Social Studies Honor Society, Spanish National Honor Society, Science National Honor Society, and the Quill & Scroll International Honor Society for High School Journalists. Maintaining a stellar 4.25 GPA, I strive for academic excellence.  I also am on the retreat team, student council, and community service club. Additionally, I serve as the director of the "Bruinthon" committee, dedicated to raising funds for the children at Blair E. Batson Children's Hospital. In this role, I lead a team of dedicated individuals in organizing events and initiatives that make a tangible difference in the lives of others. On the athletic front, I am a proud member of the varsity soccer team and actively participate in track and cross-country events. 

This year, my school went to the Mississippi Youth Legislature Conference where I was elected Governor of the conference voted on by all the schools present. Additionally, I serve as the director of the "Bruinthon" committee, dedicated to raising funds for the children at Blair E. Batson Children's Hospital. In this role, I lead a team of dedicated individuals in organizing events and initiatives that make a tangible difference in the lives of others. On the athletic front, I am a proud member of the varsity soccer team and actively participate in track and cross-country events. 

LEAD MS, or Leadership Education and Development in Mississippi, has been a pivotal platform in my growth as a leader. As part of LEAD MS, I had the privilege of participating in mock government conferences where I immersed myself in the intricate workings of legislative processes. In these simulated environments, I assumed roles of significant responsibility, including President Pro Tempore and ultimately Governor. As President Pro Tempore, I oversaw the Senate proceedings, ensuring orderly debates and facilitating the legislative process. This role demanded keen attention to parliamentary procedures, effective communication skills, and the ability to navigate complex issues with diplomacy. Subsequently, as Governor, I assumed leadership of the entire conference, comprising 300 delegates, and was tasked with managing the legislative agenda, guiding debates, and overseeing the enactment of legislation. This experience provided me with invaluable insights into the nuances of governance, sharpened my decision-making abilities, and instilled in me a deep sense of civic duty. Through LEAD MS, I gained practical leadership experience and a profound understanding of the importance of civic engagement and public service in shaping our communities and society. 

 

Me during my election speech for governor at LEAD Mississippi Youth Leg conference.

Reflecting on my journey, I am profoundly grateful for the invaluable lessons and opportunities that journalism has afforded me. It transcends beyond a mere class; it's a passion that has shaped my character and contributed to my personal and academic growth in profound ways.