The week leading up to my first day of high school, my freshman self was filled with a mix of nerves and excitement. What classes would I be in? Would I meet new friends? Would I get lost trying to find my classes? Then, I saw it — the white envelope from Bishop Miege. It was my freshman schedule. 

 

Trying to only tear the envelope and not the paper inside, I quickly opened the sealed envelope. I saw the list of my eight classes, one of them being journalism. 

 

I always enjoyed writing growing up. I was the little girl in grade school who was excited when I received a creative writing assignment. You could also find me typing, with one finger, a make-believe story on my parents’ computer. 

 

But, what really was journalism? Would I be able to write about all my fantasies, like I did in grade school? 

 

I walked into Room 144 on the first day of school and was introduced into the journalism world. I slowly began to learn and understand the lingo — leads, bylines and cutlines, to name a few. 

 

Even though my freshman self couldn’t overcome the nerve to go to an interview by myself, I learned the importance of open-ended and follow-up questions to write a quality story.

 

At the end of my first semester of highschool, my teacher approached a few other students and myself about completing an application for the newspaper staff our sophomore year. Immediately, I was in. 

 

Walking into my sophomore year on The Miegian staff, I spent most of my time at my desktop computer, quietly asking for help from the staff member sitting next to me. 

 

I was nowhere near my idea of a leader, nor did I ever imagine I would be one, but I grew in confidence and progressed in professionalism. 

 

Throughout my three and half years, interviewing numerous people has taught me to trust myself when approaching people. 

 

During my junior year, a non-journalism friend, who knows my love for newspaper and the staff, once saw my long to-do list for the class, turned to me and asked “Why do you stay on the newspaper staff?” 

 

In response, I shrugged my shoulders, but it made me think. Why do I do this? What is compelling me to stay? 

 

However, now I know that it all goes back to my love for storytelling. Each person at our school has a story that deserves to be told. 

 

Yes, being the Web Editor-in-Chief of The Miegian takes a lot of time, work and patience, but it has taught me skills that will carry through my life. 

 

The numerous work nights, hours on the weekend and time spent outside of class taught me time management. I learned to prioritize what needed to be completed first. 

 

Setting deadlines, scheduling interviews and arranging pictures showed me the importance of clear communication.  

 

Editing stories while also juggling my own stories and spreads by deadline prepared me for keen organizational skills. 

 

Journalism is something that I am forever grateful to be part of and the long, windowless room of 144 has become a home. 

 

Room 144 has fueled me with an endless amount of snacks and contains the cream couch with the fluffy blanket that I go to when I need to focus. Most importantly, it is the room that changed me from a reserved freshman to an assured senior.