A senior's advice to aspiring journalists

By Anthony Ciano, Managing Editor

May 23, 2024

ROCKLAND- My time as a high school journalist has changed my life forever.

Throughout my entire life I knew that I wanted to go into journalism.

I would sit in front of my iPad as a kid with the camera open, recording myself pretending to be a news reporter.

It was when I got to high school that I realized this dream could be a reality and was more attainable than I thought it would be.

Taking Journalism as a class is the perfect way to be set up for a future in Journalism.

Although I had tried taking the class since freshman year, I only finally got to take it as a senior.

I truly wish that I could have started as a freshman and I believe that if you are interested in the field and have the opportunity to take the class or write for the paper in your free time you totally should.

Writing for the paper as someone who wants to pursue Journalism or Communications, can be vital in the college admissions process.

Colleges look to see that their applicants have done activities related to their major and if so, it can better your odds of getting into your dream school.

For me personally, I know that having The Veritas on my resume significantly helped me with getting into my dream school and program, Journalism at Emerson College.

The Veritas is the perfect opportunity to be introduced into Journalism and all the parts of it, as it allows for the teaching of basic skills in communication and writing while allowing for you to manage your other school work, sports, and high school responsibilities.

My biggest advice for anyone who wants to report for The Veritas in the future, is to be brave.

Have the courage to talk to that student, faculty member, or person that you are unfamiliar with. Branching out to interview not just your friends is an amazing practice to develop social skills in your life and for your professional future.

Also writing articles that interest you is key to writing amazing and well-detailed stories.

You truly don’t understand the difference that Journalism makes on the world every day, and that could be you through your story in the school newspaper.

Writing stories about inclusivity and diversity have genuinely been the most eye-opening and helpful stories that I have had the privilege to write during my time with The Veritas. Not only were they extremely educational to report and write about, but also were some of the stories that I had the most fun writing. 

I truly believe that the school newspaper, The Veritas, has changed my outlook on Journalism forever.

While I go on to pursue a professional career in Journalism, I will always remember where I started and the impact that The Veritas school newspaper has had on my life. I can’t thank The Veritas, its staff, and advisor Ms. Walsh, enough for the opportunities they have provided me and for introducing me into the field of Journalism.

Although I am now an Emerson College lion, “Once a Bulldog Always a Bulldog”,

Thank you so much for everything, Veritas!