When I walked into Room 14 as a freshman, I took in the lime green wall, the cameras and lights centered on a desk-like table, and the glass control room filled with glowing buttons and flickering screens. Then, it was just another class—one I had to pass to fulfill a graduation requirement. I still remember our very first assignment: writing a newspaper article about a stranger we randomly drew from the 'Cup of Destiny.' Little did I know, that simple assignment would be the start of something so much more. I picked a man named Edward R. Murrow, who I soon discovered was a famous radio and television broadcaster. From the information we researched, we had to write a paper on that person. That assignment sparked my love of research and writing.

During the same year, our teacher, Mr. Leizear—whom we all call Mr. L—introduced us to a project called 'Mud House.' It was our first serious attempt at video editing—watching raw footage, cutting clips, and piecing them together to create a news package. Along the way, we learned the fundamentals of visual storytelling: the rule of thirds, bird's-eye and worm's-eye views, wide and tight shots, and using natural sound pops. What I considered to be another project back then turned out to be the moment when I fell in love with media production. At the end of my freshman year, Mr. L suggested that I try out for our school's live broadcast show, Padua Academy Television (PATV).

Sophomore year, I signed up for PATV with enthusiasm. The first few weeks were daunting. I was surrounded by aggressive upperclassmen and six experienced leaders, and I felt like I did not belong. As the only underclassman in the class, I was intimidated by the talent that was around me. But instead of letting the fear take control, I pushed myself to learn, develop, and step out of my comfort zone.

By the end of the year, I did not merely wish to be a part of PATV—I needed to be in control. I ran for a leadership position, and to my astonishment, I became the first junior to ever be elected as a PATV leader. The position was overwhelming at first. Leading others and heading a live broadcast for the entire school every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday was not a simple endeavor. But I accepted the challenge, learning how to lead the crew, produce quality broadcasts, and enable my fellow students to grow in their roles. Living a second year as a leader, I have been able to further develop my skills—guiding a new group of students while continuing to challenge myself creatively. What started out as a simple elective has turned into an indispensable part of my identity, shaping my high school career and aspirations. As my senior year comes to an end, I am genuinely grateful for the lessons I've learned, the people I've encountered, and the experiences I've had. I am excited to take my passion to a university where I will learn, lead, and find ongoing success.