Jake Chau JOY 2024-25

ABOUT ME

PERSONAL NARRATIVE

I will live and die by Google Sheets. My soul stands inexplicably affixed to a white A1 cell, 21 pixels by 100, size 10 Arial font. Often, I’ll edit the sheet to whichever font is my go-to for the month before cycling to a new font the next month. A single enter is used to type in that cell, and a double is used to move to the next. My fingers travel a well-worn path across the keyboard. In 225 days from now, I will have to leave behind a part of myself. Not because I will no longer see the faces that flash the halls I have voyaged the past four years, but because the last ember of my Library of Alexandria, stocked full of Google Sheets, will burn out.

It’s hard to imagine what my life would be without broadcast journalism. It’s the wind in my sails. That wind is in my hair as I ride in a golf cart, gathering footage at Boys Golf State instead of being in my AP Psychology class. Water soaking my legs, dripping into my socks on the pool deck as my horse in the race closes in on a state record. I document it all in my Google Sheets. But it’s not observations - those come through a complex set of mirrors and light fixtures that make up my camera. Instead, they exist as data. They track assignments, plans, and equipment. Everything that I know calls an A1 by Z1000 sheet home. These sheets have become a part of myself - an organized self.

Being organized is one of the most important traits to me. Even though Google Sheets is the vehicle that drives the spirit behind my organization, it’s what keeps me afloat. I often can't think straight during our class time, and even in the broadcast booth when I’m calling and directing a live broadcast. The constant noise, questions, and help that I’m providing cloud my vision and clog my head. Google Sheets is there to pull me out of it and give me a guiding light on which to base my feedback and instruction. It helps me set deadlines and lead the class. Ensuring I follow up on not just all of my deadlines, but with everyone else's, ensuring they’re on track as well.

This goes for my life outside of broadcast journalism as well. When I’m planning out my week ahead, I keep organized with a Google Calendar with multiple different sections for all the areas of my life, making sure there’s time for homework, class, and of course broadcast.

I’ve had a unique experience being the head of a program for three years. The things I learned, the opportunities I had, the experiences I gained, and the awards and recognitions I’ve received are invaluable and mean so much to me. Whether that's being on the court calling basketball games the the Denver Coliseum, or in the press box at Coors Field, or just sharing my love for journalism with my staff. The most important thing I learned was to let go. Throughout high school, I’ve done all I can and all I will do, and I’ve come to realize that I can’t hold onto everything in my life - including my Google Sheets. It’s taken a lot of time for this lesson to stick with me, but it’s one of the most important lessons broadcast journalism taught me. For as far as I plan and move pieces every which way trying to fit them into a puzzle, I still can’t cover it all, and that’s okay. I’ve learned to balance the other important things in my life with my fascination for telling the stories that matter, and for getting out and having the wind revive me.

I will lose access to all my Google Sheets by graduation. I will look back over them with admiration and acceptance, knowing that they’ve taken me places few others have been. But I’ll also look forward, knowing that our program, GrandviewTV, will be guided by a path often traveled by my Google Sheets.

AWARDS

PERSONAL AWARDS

Colorado High School Journalist of the Year - Dorthy Greer Scholarship (Issued by the Colorado Student Media Association, Journalist Education Association, and the National Scholastic Press Association)
1st Place - Human Interest Feature / Dream Big: Dream Finn (Issued by the Colorado Student Media Association, 2024)
1st Place - Play-by-Play Sports Broadcast (with other schools) / Boys Basketball CHSAA State Quarterfinals (Issued by the Colorado Student Media Association, 2024)
1st Place - Play-by-Play Sports Broadcast (with other schools) / Boys Basketball CHSAA State Quarterfinals (Issued by the Colorado Student Media Association, 2025)

1st Place - Human Interest Feature / Remembering Ms. Richards (Issued by the Colorado Student Media Association, 2023)
1st Place - Alternative Coverage Treatment / Wolves Go Digital: Grandview's New App (Issued by the Colorado Student Media Association, 2023)
2nd Place - Sports Feature / Boys Soccer 2022 Season Recap (Issued by the Colorado Student Media Association, 2023)
2nd Place - Sports Feature / Grandview Wrestling Makes School History with Seven State Placers (Issued by the Colorado Student Media Association, 2025)
3rd Place - Program Editing/Direction - News Segment / March 12, 2025 | Wednesday Announcements (Issued by the Colorado Student Media Association, 2025)
3rd Place - Human Interest Feature / Matthew’s Dream | Grandview Dream Week 2025 (Issued by the Colorado Student Media Association, 2025)
3rd Place - Broadcast Personality / Jake Chau and Valay Kelkar (Issued by the Colorado Student Media Association, 2025)
3rd Place - Sports Photo / "Game Set" (Issued by Career and Technical Education, 2025)
Honorable Mention - Equity and Inclusion Reporting / Ramadan Feature (Issued by the Colorado Student Media Association, 2024)
Honorable Mention - Play-by-Play Sports Broadcast / Boys Basketball CHSAA State Quarterfinals (Issued by the Colorado Student Media Association, 2024)
Honorable Mention - In-Depth Special Report / Grandview Homecoming Series (Issued by the Colorado Student Media Association, 2022)
Story of the Week - Grandview High School Story of the Week / Simply, Stick, Puck, Ice, and Net (Issued by the Grandview Chronicle and Grandview High School, 2025)
Story of the Week - Grandview High School Story of the Week / Boys Volleyball Punches Ticket to State for Second Year in a Row (Issued by the Grandview Chronicle and Grandview High School, 2025)

PROGRAM AWARDS

All-Colorado (issued by the Colorado Media Association, 2023-24)
1st Place - Social Media Reporting (issued by the Colorado Media Association, 2024-25)

Broadcast Commendation (issued by the Colorado Student Media Association, 2022-23)
2nd Place - Best of Show / Football Livestream vs. Overland (Issued by the Colorado Student Media Association, 2023)
Broadcast Merit (issued by the Colorado Student Media Association, 2021-22)