I went nearly 16 years constantly changing what I wanted to do for a living. I went from toxicology, to directing, to welding. It wasn’t until halfway through my junior year I was sure. It was as if all the pieces fell into place one day. I want to be a journalist. 
 
     Since I was in elementary school, I’ve always craved the
facts. I would write notes and essays in my free time
about different animals. While my sisters were in the
fantasy section of the library, I raced to the non-fiction
section, searching for books on my newest fixation. My
parents bought me countless notebooks from all the
writing I was doing. That was until my older sister, Alyssa,
introduced me to Google Slides. I turned all of my
findings into factual slideshows. 
 
     Growing up, English classes have always put me
through mixed emotions. I’ve struggled with reading for my whole life, but I’ve always had a love for writing. Knowing this about myself, I made the choice to join the journalism track of the Communications Academy at Indian Trail High School & Academy. 
 
     At the time, I had no interest in writing journalism for the rest of my life, until I met my favorite teacher and the person I look up to most, Michelle Corbett. The confidence she had in me fueled my writing and motivated me to join yearbook, offering me the role of associate editor. 
 
     The beginning of my junior year began with numerous bizarre struggles coming into my life. I couldn’t catch a break, losing all of my motivation and struggling with my mental health. I started pursuing a future career in welding because I had no hope in myself or a career in media. It took a lot to build back up to who I was, and my yearbook friends helped me get there with non-stop support.
 
     I got my spark back after writing a couple stories and getting back into the groove of things. I’m confident in what I want to do for the rest of my life. I am determined to tell stories that need digging deep and curiosity. I want to focus on telling personal stories and finding the side of people that isn’t typically seen. 
 
     Moving forward, after debating even going to college for a while, I want nothing more than to study journalism and advertising at university. Looking back at my life, I’ve realized writing and doing deep dive research has always been a passion of mine. It’s something that calms me and makes me who I am as a person. 
 
     As Mark Twain said, “Find a job you enjoy doing, and you will never have to work a day in your life.” I know this will hold true to me for the rest of my life, and I have journalism to thank for that.