As a sophomore I would say that these past two years as a high schooler have helped me grow tremendously, but if I were to be more specific, sophomore year alone has been what’s really changed me and News Journalism is the biggest reason why.

I remember sitting in English class as a freshman when a boy I didn’t know walked into class and silently set a letter on my table. Confused, I opened it and I read that I had been recommended by one or more of my teachers to join News Journalism or Yearbook and while I was initially excited and proud to have been noticed, the anxiety set in almost immediately when I found out what the class actually consisted of.

Growing up, I loved nothing more than creating stories. I was always writing books and thinking of new characters. I had a passion for writing, but I never let anyone read what I wrote. I grew up with anxiety that affected my life in ways that had nothing to do with literacy, but the thought of taking a class where I consistently created and published stories for everyone to have access to was something that made me extremely uncomfortable.

I eventually asked my parents for their opinions, questioning whether or not I should take the step and join journalism. My parents, understanding my love for storytelling encouraged me to join so I sat with them on the couch as I filled out the application and not long after, I received another letter in my business class saying that I had been accepted and I was now a part of the News Journalism staff. I was ecstatic to hear this, and I intentionally tried really hard to not let this shift from an exciting opportunity to a scary one. But of course, as summer began to conclude and preparation for my sophomore year was in the works, remembering I was going to be in a dual-credit course with a bunch of people I had never met before scared me.

I came to class on the first day and although I was nervous, I felt like I was making the right decision. I was in a place with a bunch of other people who, although I’d never met most of them, shared a similar interest with me. Telling stories.

Almost immediately I felt like I had a place in room 402. This classroom became more than a place where we plan, write, and work. It became a place where positivity is shared and celebrated, a place where ideas are encouraged, creativity is nurtured, and relationships are built.

We start off class every day sharing our good news, and being able to sit in a room with people and celebrate small wins is something that not only makes that a valuable space, but it has truly caused a shift in me and allowed me to understand that there is good in every day, despite any negative factors. When we have story planning sessions, being able to hear other people’s opinions and ideas, while sharing my own allows for a space where everyone’s voice can be heard without judgement, and not only is that often times rare, but it’s powerful. It allows us as a news publication to find peoples stories, understand them, and then tell them. It allows us to shine light on under-recognized groups in our school and community and make sure that all voices are heard.

What I’ve done in this class truly goes beyond what’s published on the BlackandRedgister news site. What I’ve learned in this class has allowed me to go from a freshman who would’ve gotten sick at the idea of interrupting a class, interviewing someone, public speaking, or having any attention on me whatsoever to a sophomore who finds a sense of purpose in talking to new people, understanding their stories, and telling them to the best of my abilities.

While some things stay the same, I’m proud to say I’ve grown and changed in ways I would have never pictured. I am still the same girl with a passion for storytelling and a love for writing, but I am not the same girl who refused to have a voice beyond words in a notebook nobody was allowed to read. The truth is, sometimes stepping into something new no matter how small, big, scary, or simple it seems, the effect it could have on who you are could be so much bigger than you could ever anticipate. So take the step.