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Ever since I was a kid in elementary school, my teachers have always said I was the most talkative in the classroom. Little did I know that my ability to socialize in new environments would prepare me for the world of journalism. From a new high school to the city of Evanston to the 2024 Democratic National Convention, I have developed confidence and learned put myself out there in order to find the right sources and uncover the real story. I have come to appreciate the challenging assignments because I know down the road, when asked which stories pushed me to grow the most as a journalist, they will be the ones I reflect on and talk about.
PREPARING FOR A STORY
PREPARING FOR A STORY
While journalism is spontaneous, preparation is the key to success. From doing my homework on a subject and source to knowing exactly what to ask, I have come to understand the importance of knowing what I am talking about, even if I am not the one answering the questions. One example of this is through my reporting on a community Instagram page in which students posted inappropriate "confessions" about other classmates for all to see. Many viewers said they believed the claims to be made up, although it was not possible to be certain. The only way to find sources was simple to wander the hallways in search of those who would be willing to comment on the record about the page, yet I knew how to get the conversations started and where I wanted to lead them. Oftentimes, I had to go off script when I found a new piece of information: one source I was speaking to explained they had actually posted on the "confessions" page themselves. Below are the questions I brought with me to each interview:
IN THE FIELD
IN THE FIELD
Another instance in which I demonstrated strong reporting skills was in my coverage of a walkout from the Black Students' Association (BSA) during their own Martin Luther King Jr. assembly in 2023. BSA introduced a different theme—“Black is…,” a message addressing discrimination within the U-High community. In a surprising turn of events, BSA leaders expressed frustration with persistent racism, especially against Black students, at our school. With just 20 minutes gone, the stage was empty and students were dismissed. Once the walkout happened, reporting the story became urgent. Members of the community would be relying on this piece as a trustworthy source of what happened and what students felt about it. I spent the next hour scurrying up and down the hallways, scavenging for sources. “Hi, would you be willing to comment on the walkout for the Midway?” I asked everyone. This experience taught me the importance of "over-reporting," or gathering more sources, quotes, and information than a journalist actually plans to use: so they can select the most relevant, compelling, or accurate ones to tell the story with. Below are the full list of quotes I gathered following the assembly, including which ones were used the final draft:
I always loved to put words on a page, but journalism has given me a way to ensure those words carry meaning. From the small things, like improving my grammar and other technical skills, to the big things, like conveying intricate topics and making bold and brave statements, what I have learned as a journalist will stick with me as I continue studying journalism in college and beyond.
WRITING News & IN-DEPTH
WRITING News & IN-DEPTH
Since landing at U-High, I have reported on the everyday news ongoings at my school, from when this school dance will happen to what happened in the student elections. I have also covered what brings the people around me joy, like seeing a presidential candidate who represents them or teaching English books which challenge social norms. However, my most impactful work in news is dedicated to uncovering the issues which pull at the heart of the community. From covering how members of the Black Students' Association walked out of their own assembly in protest of discrimination at school to why an inappropriate "confessions" page thrived for weeks among the student body, I have grown my ability to report on situations of tension, unease, and reckoning.
My contribution in the "Freedom Flare Up" package is the major story, "Lab classroom, library practice freedom of expression." It is the first story.
WRITING PROFiles
WRITING PROFiles
Writing features stories has taught me how to see the value and depth in every story. Whether it be hearing about how basketball coach Xavier Smith feels responsible for the success of the kids on his team to how theater member Emma Cielsa fell in love with drama through performances in her childhood, finding the best way to synthesize the journeys of those I profile is rewarding to me. I love the feeling of walking away from an interview knowing I have the raw materials needed to mold a piece of art.
WRITING COLUMNS
WRITING COLUMNS
I believe that joining the Midway and pursuing journalism gave me a voice. A young Indian Muslim American kid who used to seek for this chance to speak up, I have been able to use words to create impact in my columns. Highlighting issues of social justice and emphasizing mental health and wellbeing, my work in the opinion section have given me an outlet to express myself and resonated with others like and unlike myself.
WRITING REVIEWS
WRITING REVIEWS
My favorite work in writing reviews has given me the opportunity to showcase pieces of entertainment which I find to push the boundaries of social norms. For example, reviewing “The Penelopiad,” I encouraged my peers to reevaluate how they perceived historical narratives as I detailed the groundbreaking social arguments of a play they had read in middle school. In this section, I have brought attention to media which I feel is essential for my community to know about.
Medill-Northwestern Journalism Institute teacher Karen Springen gives feedback to Taariq Ahmed on story about how a gym community made of new friends supported his participation in the program. Photo by Carter Nishi.
U-High Photojournalism Editor-in-Chief Eli Raikhel and U-High Midway News Editor Taariq Ahmed take a selfie while covering the 2024 Democratic National Convention in Chicago. Photo by Eli Raikhel.
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