English Class Essay: September 2002
Who Am I

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When I look back at my first three years of high school, I am amazed by my transformation. I entered ninth grade as an introverted, shy student. Now, as I enter grade twelve, I am an outgoing, extroverted young adult. I attribute this change to my experiences at DHS. As unwilling as I was to admit it, I looked forward to starting school last week. By senior year, Damascus High School is a family. Familiar faces, friendly smiles, "how are you?" from staff members -- I hope that every student feels as welcome as I do at DHS, though I am not naive enough to actually believe that to be the case.

I enjoy high school -- not all of the classes as much as what takes place in the eight minutes between and the many minutes after the bells. I am a firm believer in the idea that many of the most important lessons taught during high school are learned not through instruction, but through tangents and side conversations and afterschool meetings. Activities such as Student Government, Newspaper, helping with "tech stuff," the TV show, etc., all contribute to my "ownership" of the school. It's a great feeling. It has all culminated this year, with my positions as Editor in Chief of the Observer student newspaper, Vice President of the SGA, and Secretary for the county SGA. Busy? Yes. But I thrive off of it.

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When I was five years old, I would wait outside for the trash man. It was so cool. I wanted to be a garbage collector. Ever since then, I have wanted to be a journalist. (Ironic, eh? No one ever understands that joke. One day, I will say it in front of 1000 journalists at some convention, and people will laugh hysterically...) At first, I wanted to focus on becoming a weatherman. I'd go outside, measure the snow, stand in the rain, pretend to be on TV. It then morphed into broadcast journalism -- a TV anchor. I can not imagine anything more thrilling and terrifying as hearing the music, getting the cue, and announcing a news bulletin. I am an avid watcher, and critic, of television news. For the really big stories -- the Year 2000, the election debacle, September 11th -- I stayed up all night, watching the broadcasters, switching between states of wake and sleep.

I always assumed I would want to be on television, in front of the camera, reading the teleprompter and smiling to the viewer at home. Recently, though, I have dabbled in print journalism, as well. Writing for the Observer and reading the Washington Post more frequently (a result of 9/11), I've realized the strengths of print journalism, as well. More depth, more content, more actual news vs. the fluff of television.

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Post-college, I hope to continue my pursuit of a career in journalism. My vision statement of life is to "significantly impact the world." Change the world is a cliche -- and besides, what exactly is change? But significantly impact -- that's more clear. I want to impact the lives of many people. It doesn't have to be a specific, life-altering impact -- but I want to make a difference. A big difference. With journalism and politics, it is all about connections. I already have several close ties with journalists and politicians. I hope that these connections will pay off as I strive to work my way up in the field.

I could go on and on, but your attention span would lessen and lessen. I hope that I have accuately articulated my immediate, short-term, and long-term aspirations and goals. I see myself having been presented with many forks in the road over the course of the past three years. I see several more important choices that still lie ahead -- indeed, some of the most important choices of all are yet to come. I feel that I am prepared.