Three years ago, as a sophomore, I was introduced to my first journalism class. To be honest, I didn’t have many expectations for it. I simply wanted to try a class that seemed easy and interesting. Looking back, it turned out to be exactly what I expected and more.
I vividly recall my second semester of sophomore year when I enrolled in my first sports journalism class. Eager to get started, I made my way straight to the top row of the old sports journalism room. My first assignment was a mock press conference, designed to enhance our reporting and journalism skills. In the mock press conference, Mr. Puffett, who portrayed a police spokesperson, described a crime scene. My task was to provide a detailed report, as if I were working for the news and reporting on the situation after it had occurred. I managed to earn an A on the assignment, which motivated me to invest more time and effort into the class. At that point in my high school career, it was the only class that genuinely excited me.
We didn’t just conduct mock press conferences; we also engaged in Checkology sessions. The highlight of the class was writing and, hopefully, publishing stories on the stag line. Unfortunately, none of my stories from my sophomore year were published. This was probably due to the sheer number of stories that were published every week, which limited the available spots. Throughout my life, I had considered myself a decent writer, but I wasn’t quite ready for one of my stories to be published. However, I didn’t want to leave the class or give up, so I decided to return to sports journalism for my junior year and refine my skills. During my junior year, I met Will Walker, who was one grade ahead of me and the editor-in-chief. When I started my junior year, he provided valuable assistance in writing the stories.
My first published story was “Soccer Stag Season Review,” which I wrote in November of my junior year. At the time, it was a significant milestone for me because it marked the first time I had ever published a story. My second published story was “OBJ’s Resurgence,” which detailed Odell Beckham Jr.’s career and was published on January 24th, the day before my birthday. After that, I continued to publish nine more stories, most of which focused on DeMatha or the Ravens. For my senior year, I was appointed Editor-in-Chief, a responsibility that I was initially surprised to receive but knew I was capable of handling. I took on the role with pride, knowing that it was a testament to my long tenure as the longest-serving member and best writer in the class.
Reflecting on my time in sports journalism, I’ve been filled with great moments that I’ve worked hard to achieve. I want to express my deepest gratitude to Mr. Puffett and Mr. Gill for their invaluable support over the years. Their guidance and mentorship have been instrumental in my growth as an editor, and I would be far less capable without their assistance.
This fall, I’m excited to embark on a new chapter at Monroe University in New York, where I’ll be studying either business management or sports management. I’m incredibly grateful for the opportunity to pursue my passion for sports journalism and I hope that the legacy of the DeMatha Stag line will continue to inspire future generations of students.
