As a journalist, I learned that everyone has a story to tell.
As a filmmaker, I learned how to tell these stories.
I started my journalism journey creating videos. In middle school, I took my first media production class and eventually became an anchor and editor-in-chief of my school's broadcast program. I never planned on becoming a journalist, but doing so has allowed me to mix both my love for filmmaking and telling stories. Over the course of my years as the video team leader, I have created many videos about people and events on campus while balancing my responsibilities as the Editor-in-Chief. From my mini-documentaries and student interviews on the pandemic to my weekly football recap videos, I work to create content that informs others.
In 2020, I worked to interview a variety of students who were eligible to vote on their thoughts about the 2020 presidential election. While making videos and conducting virtual interviews during the pandemic was challenging, I used this as an opportunity to improve my workflow in a remote environment. Both of these videos won Best of SNO awards.
On the last week of school, The Dispatch had the opportunity to host a performance for Austin-based singer Mckenna Michels. I helped coordinate the event and introduce Michels to the audience. I decided to turn this event into a video story by interviewing Michels about her journey of healing and beginning to make music. This video story details her inspiration for making music and provides advice to those who want to do the same.
The pandemic has had drastic and lasting effects on the entire population.
The first video was published exactly one year after our school was shut down because of COVID-19. I interviewed students on how COVID-19 had affected them and the differences between life then and now. I went to campus and filmed to showcase the empty campus and procedures set in place to ensure the safety of those attending in-person classes.
The second video is a sequel to the first. This video was made specifically after many changes were implemented on campus, including the lifting of our mask mandate. I included multiple student interviews with differing opinions on these changes. My "One Year Later" video won a national Best of SNO award.