2021 Michigan Journalist of the Year Portfolio
Law and Ethics
2020 Al Neuharth Free Spirit and Journalism Conference
After being selected to represent the state of Michigan at the 2020 Al Neuharth Free Spirit and Journalism Conference, hosted by USA Today's Freedom Forum, I knew I would be exposed to a face of journalism that I had never seen before. With the program designed to bring student journalists from across the nation to train to become not just some of the country's leading journalists, but defenders of the First Amendment, I had gained a responsibility that no longer just impacted the city of Grosse Pointe-- my role in ensuring the success of meaningful, truthful journalism and free press had national implications.
Over the course of four days, the virtual formatting of the conference allowed for me to not only hear from, but ask questions of and gain invaluable advice from the journalists responsible for shaping the field today. From The Washington Post's David Fahrenthold to Freedom Rider Dr. "Rip" Patton Jr., each inspiring speaker brought me ever closer to the realization that is now defining the future I see for myself: that I want to commit the rest of my life to journalism, wholeheartedly and wholly.
To reference speaker Aaron Morrison, if there is one thing I took away from my time as a Free Spirit Scholar, it would be that the adjective "student" in front of "journalist" is completely and utterly misleading, too oft used as a cushion or a meek introduction.
Anyone who has the capacity to ask questions and, in turn, question the answers they receive is a journalist. My time as a journalist now is no less meaningful than if I were in the professional setting, and the lives I have touched with my work are no less important than if my byline was attached alongside Fahrenthold's (although, to be completely honest, that would be super cool).
This fact is what drives me to continuously pursue and uncover the truth.
It is also the reason I asked a LOT of questions over the course of the conference.
However, after almost a full week of receiving one of the most intense introductions to the world of professional journalism and advocacy one could be honored to receive, I found myself overwhelmed by the implications of my responsibility.
I had never before anticipated a future in journalism-- where did I go from there?
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In the end, I figured it out. But I don't think I could put it any better than Raw Music International's Cyrus Moussavi:
Detroit Free Press and The Third Circuit Court
During my time as a summer apprentice at the Detroit Free Press, I was assigned to cover the legal-jargon-laden partnership between Wayne County and the Third Circuit Court, joining to implement the Youth Assessment Screening Instrument (YASI) to improve pre-adjudication risk and needs assessments for juvenile offenders.
In an albeit bright-eyed and bushy-tailed manner, I could see the story in my mind: I would follow the story of a child who had experienced first-hand the juvenile justice system, have an emotional sit-down with the family, score the kind of interview reserved for whistleblower films, and (maybe) join the Freep for good on the spot.
In all seriousness, though I did envision a 60 Minutes-style human-interest feature, the realm of professional reporting carried real-world consequences I had yet to learn in high school journalism classes. After pitching the idea to my editor, I found myself being tasked with important questions such as:
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What are the legal implications of interviewing a previously-incarcerated minor?
What legal steps would I have to take in order to obtain consent from the family to publish the interview, if it could be published sans anonymity at all?
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Moving forward with the article, the collaborative yet honest environment created by my editor prompted me to throw in the proverbial towel and shift the angle towards that of policy-making, and why the changes to the juvenile justice system were being made in the summer of 2020 specifically.
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Though the story was not the Pulitzer I had hoped for, the experience in self reflection and self-awareness, as well as an exploration of the legal realm of journalism, was crucial in shaping the way I currently brainstorm angles and story ideas.
Upcoming First Amendment Projects
The work of a Free Spirit Scholar isn't over by the end of a four day conference-- it's a duty that I carry with me each and every day.
Call To Action Project
Following the Free Spirit conference, Free Spirit Scholars are tasked with creating a Call To Action Project designed to further increase the accessibility and knowledge surrounding the First Amendment. Taking advantage of the program's extensive alumni network, I will be hosting a sit-down webinar on February 21st with The New York Times' Catie Edmondson, reporter in the Washington bureau, and The Washington Post's features reporter and 2020 James Beard Award Winner Maura Judkis. This webinar will revolve around the intersection between the journeys of women in journalism and the use of the First Amendment as a tool for self-advocacy. Moreover, the majority of the webinar's audience will be first-generation, low-income young women seeking inspiration from female role models.
The following slides are the promotional materials I created to advertise the webinar on my social media platforms.
Student Press Freedom Day
In collaboration with the Student Press Law Center, I am working with Tracy Schmaler, former senior advisor to Attorney General Holder at the U.S. Department of Justice and
recipient of the U.S. Department of Justice's highest award, the Edmund J. Randolph Award. Under her guidance and mentorship, I am crafting an op-ed in celebration of Student Press Freedom Day on February 26th, which will later be pursuing publication in some of the nation's most widely-read newspapers.
02/22/21 Update: Call To Action Project
Thus, through this webinar, I achieved one of my primary goals in life as a whole: creating accessible educational content for those most in need. By targeting first-generation, low-income young women specifically, my role as a journalist extends beyond "myself;" my work is responsible for the encouraging and uplifting of tomorrow's brightest women in journalism, who may have previously never considered or seen themselves in the field. This webinar was also was my first experience with a traditional broadcast format, as much of my experience focuses on audio broadcast.
At the same time, the experience was not just beneficial to the attendees, but to me and my own identity as a young woman pursuing a future in journalism. Over the course of the session, I learned how femininity as a concept applies very neatly to the compassion and empathy needed to be a considerate interviewer and reporter alike. And, as journalism evolves into a creation beyond the "old boy's club" of yesterday, the words of Edmondson and Judkis revealed to me that my struggles with identity in the newsroom are not a sign of weakness, but a sign of the times.
To view the recorded webinar, please visit the following link and skip to 7:45 https://drive.google.com/file/d/1P13Sfiave0XB-xx_JofMhP2LBXXk-QvJ/view?usp=sharing .
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For JEA evaluation/assessment purposes, please listen to the segment from 28:25 to 34:13, for a commentary on the use of the First Amendment and storytelling to create tangible change for communities in need.
On February 21st, I hosted my Call To Action webinar, providing young women from underprivileged backgrounds from across the nation with the opportunity to be inspired by and learn from the success stories of two of journalism's leading female reporters. After planning this webinar for over six months, I couldn't be more proud of and grateful for the success of the session; not only were the panelists conversational and incredibly personable, with responses both witty and enlightening, but the attendees actively engaged in the Q&A session.