Though I have made significant strides in video-based reporting, I am also the second-highest-ranking member of and a regular contributor on Neenah High School's student-produced written newspaper, the Satellite. Over the years, my contributions have earned me multiple awards at the NEWSPA state journalism conference.
Candidates Reflect on Results of Neenah 2022 Spring Elections (neenahsatellite.com)
This past April, the City of Neenah held a mayoral election to replace a retiring incumbent. The inclusion of a teacher from our school as a general election candidate highlighted the importance of the race. I wrote several pieces related to the effort, and though that teacher ultimately lost, writing these provided me an opportunity to step out and explore an issue relevant to our greater community.
Commitment to Diversity: Despite the circumstances binding one candidate to our school, neither I nor the publication as a whole endorsed either, instead allowing both to express their thoughts and opinions freely.
We had the fortune of having a really good school basketball team last year; and after 30 games, they advanced all the way to the state championship and won that prestigious award. Following this victory, I was able to get in contact with several players and they discussed the hardships they faced on their path to this achievement.
This story carries significance to me, as when I received my school yearbook the following August, I found that its editors had incorporated it into the page featuring the school basketball teams. I am now immortal, muahaha!
Review: Sister Act Performed on Pickard Stage or Livestreamed (neenahsatellite.com)
My decision to do my entire sophomore year online built a physical barrier between myself and sources of news, leading to me contributing less that year. Still, writing this story marked an important milestone in my recovery from Corona-phobia, as it was the first time in many months that I physically had to go somewhere to obtain the material I needed for an opinion piece. It also helped me gain experience in how to properly balance the elements of a review, skills I would need later on . . .