May 2024. After finishing my sophomore year where I was just dipping my toe into the water of the broad lake that is journalism, the unexpected hit me. I had a freak accident on a hike where I was forced to have brain surgery that next day. With so much unsure, I knew that if I got another shot at life I’d make the most of it, and when I was given that opportunity, journalism was the perfect escape and branch to show off my talents and abilities with the gift of a second chance I was given.

With a successful surgery and returning to class at the end of the school year with hugs from everyone and lots and lots of prayers, I knew that the journalism classroom was the place I wanted to be. I liked to tell myself that I should constantly remind my journalism teacher Mrs. Coyer, that she was getting my 100% each and every day I showed up to class, no matter if I was sick (Even if she told me to stay home), not feeling great overall or anything else.

With that commitment I made to the program, I jumped right back at it my junior year and started pumping out as much content as I could for our program, bringing out a new weather segment called “The Vikcast” that took the school by storm, with people I didn’t even know coming up to me and saying “Hey kid, that new weather segment is pretty alright.” Along with showing up to all my schools sporting events, boys or girls, and even taking pictures of the school sports that might not get as much recognition, I wanted to dedicate my efforts and treat the school the way the school treated me the day the first episode of “The Vikcast” aired.

My senior year with no regrets since that fateful day. I had found my passion in journalism and leadership within that group, while still working on my craft during the process. From changing our Broadcast Show from one episode a week to three, and writing and creating stories for our yearbook, newspaper, and website within my first year, I was dedicated to leaving our Student Media better than I found it.

With such a great environment surrounding me, those qualities still remain true today, as I find myself not having a day where I don’t want to be in that room, creating and providing news for the students of my school to see, read, or hear. From being a listener and keeping my head down and working my sophomore year, to leading the incoming sophomores and the rest of the classes my senior year, every part of the process has been beyond a blessing.