Journalism has taught me more than I could have ever imagined. 

I stepped into this class as a first-year senior with two years of experience in newspaper and little knowledge of how the yearbook worked. 

I had to improve my writing and design. 

Walking into this class, I realized I had to do a lot on my own. 

I didn’t realize how far I’ve grown until I was sitting at The COOP in Wichita after I took photos at the cross country meet in Newton in October. 

As I was adding songs from the barista’s playlist to mine, it all hit me at once. 

Sophomore year me would have never imagined sitting alone in a coffee shop, editing photos for our newspaper, The Panther’s Tale. 

Then, in the last few months of my senior year, I experienced something that I never thought I would. 

In March I shot photos for VYPE magazine at the Class 6A basketball tournament. A week later, I spent four days interviewing and writing about college basketball players and coaches during the first and second rounds of the NCAA Tournament at Intrust Bank Arena.

In April I flew to Seattle for a national competition and convention. 

I’ve traveled to three states and won three national awards in journalism.

And I wouldn’t trade it for anything. 

I learned so much about myself as a journalist and photographer. 

Journalism adviser Joanna Chadwick has pushed me since Day 1, and I couldn’t be more grateful for her support.

If I could give anyone a sliver of advice, it would be to stay curious and try things that scare you. It may be uncomfortable at first, but the rewards and lessons are priceless.