Success used to be the expectation and failure to even the smallest degree used to be the end of the world in my eyes. There was never a moment to feel truly proud of myself for anything because of the standard I held myself to. It wasn’t anyone else, it was an internal battle that I had been battling for years. I still to this very day struggle to accept failure and fight to find a way to be pleased with myself or anything I do. But, the feeling I get when I sit back and watch a package I just created is the exception. I love the feeling of contentment after all of the work I did to make a piece that tells a story: a new story every time. So much goes into it: shooting b-roll, capturing quality interviews, gaining information, writing, tracking audio, editing, everything! I feel a genuine love for what I get to do, and the feeling of satisfaction I have for myself has sparked growth in all areas of my life. There is like a lift of anxiety when it comes to the pressure on myself and a rise in high spirits when I look at myself in the mirror. It’s still a daily struggle, but journalism has made the biggest impact for me in a way that it is permissible to feel proud of myself.
           For the past two years, I have been a member of my school’s broadcast journalism team: THSTV. In the newsroom, I usually take on the role of a director, anchor or reporter, while always writing stories and pitching innovative ideas for our shows that air every Tuesday and Friday. Outside of the newsroom, I live stream different sporting events around the school. Last year, I directed entire football games: I chose camera shots, communicated with an entire room of workers, operated our tri-caster and many monitors all to provide a great quality of entertainment for both viewers watching from home and audience members that would glance at the jumbotron. In the Spring of 2021, I emceed and co-produced our high school pageant. This entailed making scripts, dress fittings, rehearsals, writing, working with sponsors and being professionally entertaining and well understood on stage. I always jump at the opportunity to shoot and report on exciting events in our community. Whether it’s a new business opening or the 100th year celebration ceremony of Thompson High School, I always try to make an appearance with my camera and mic! I’ve worked very closely with the Alabaster Mayor, Scott Brakefield, to expand our horizons on the information we provide. I have been an advocate for not just writing about what happened at last week's basketball game, but what is directly affecting us in our community! Being apart of this program means more than just me doing my assignments, but building a program and starting my career.