Cody Stedman Multimedia - Closing Remarks

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I'll be honest. I was only aiming for winning the Broadcast category for my state's student journalism recognition scholarship. I wasn't planning for winning the entire thing. Even by using Google Sites, I never thought that this would bring me to competing with over 40 students across the nation for the title of Journalist of the Year.

With my senior year drawing to an end, I am more than proud of others who have helped me along the way. I don't want to be proud of myself. Rather, I don't want to be self absorbed or selfish.

I always wanted to be recognized for my hard work and to be able to create things that others haven't. Keeping a level of dynamism, while keeping the rules of journalism intact. I wanted to break barriers, sustain a legacy not for myself, but for my programs and peers.

I want all schools in the country to teach some level of journalism and have others like me, eager to report and tell the stories that don't always get covered. Though I am proud to have multiple different skills than journalistic reporting, I find it odd that I would possibly need those skills just in case something happens that prevents me from an occupation of my choice. I have to be ready for anything, and everything in a world constantly changing and evolving day by day, minute by minute.

In reality...

"You need to find the stories that matter to others. Sustaining the 'know' with the public helps them to make sure that they can trust those reporting the stories they hear."

That's what it means to capture one pixel at a time. Make sure that the public knows what is happening from across the street of their own neighborhood, to the opposite coast of the country. That aspect may be small, but it is needed for journalism to be the voice of the people.

I'm glad I live in a country where I can express myself through expression as a constitutional amendment.

I'm more than grateful for everyone who has helped me or have been an example for me all throughout my high school career. From upper classmen such as Sarah Burgess (Class of 2022) signing off on her last show for SHS Today, to underclassmen like Ella Lorenz (Class of 2027) ready to apply to be an editor for the 2026 yearbook. These examples keep me thinking that as I leave a place I have so much connection to, I know that the programs I am a part of are in good hands.

Signing off from Saline, Michigan, I'm Cody Stedman. Michigan Journalist of the Year.

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