I used to find comfort in what I already knew.
When I started high school, I brought that same mindset with me. I knew in order to graduate, I needed a technology credit, which journalism offered. Since I had a mild interest in writing, I figured journalism would be a safe, familiar choice.
What I didn’t realize was that journalism required interviews. For my introverted self, the thought of talking to strangers felt like a nightmare. I still vividly remember standing outside the classroom before my very first interview, terrified to speak with a teacher I had never even met. But I did it. I survived. And to the surprise of my nervous fourteen-year-old self… I actually enjoyed it.
Pushing past my fear of introducing myself to strangers and having a conversation with them, sparked a love for journalism I never saw coming. I fell in love with getting interviews, hearing others stories, and learning from perspectives I would’ve otherwise missed. Journalism pushed me beyond what I thought I was capable of and helped me find my voice.
The freshman that first walked into C102 wouldn’t recognize the journalist writing this today.
After four years of writing stories, it’s hard to fathom that this will be the last story I write for Wingspan. Each article I’ve written over the years reminds me of a specific moment in Wingspan, from the excitement of my first published article, to the pride of winning my first award, to making it to State UIL. Wingspan became a tangible reflection of my growth and my eagerness to contribute to the greater community.
It was Wingspan that gave me the confidence to attend an out-of-state college where I didn’t know a single person. Wingspan made me eager to learn about others’ stories and to empower them through my writing which is how I realized I wanted a career in healthcare where I could do the same for my patients. Wingspan changed the way I saw my community and how I saw myself within it.
Words can’t capture how much this program has meant to me. I’m endlessly thankful to have been part of this staff.
Though this may be goodbye to Wingspan, it’s only the beginning of my growth beyond the newsroom.
