Sophomore Year

In-Depth

Sophomore Year

Published by

Stella S

on

May 25, 2024

August 1st, 2023 – May 24th, 2024:

Shot on Canon EOS Rebel T7, Panasonic DMC-ZS10, and Sony a7iv

1st & 2nd: shot on Canon EOS Rebel T7 by Stella St. Clair; 3rd is by Laila Phelan; shot on Panasonic DMC-ZS10

May 25, 2024

Sophomore year was a big year for me. I learned, yet again, that my biggest academic strengths lie within English classes. But, most importantly, I learned a lot about myself. I learned what real friends are and that I have the drive to accomplish my goals if I set my mind to it. I also learned what I want to do in college, or at least what I want to do as of right now. I’m almost sixteen, so things might change.

I learned why I’m so drawn to photography. I want to capture my high school years because I know that one day they’ll just be distant memories. I also know that one day I’ll be an adult, which is terrifying. I discovered that I love videography for all of the same reasons.

I also further discovered my love for broadcast journalism. This led me to discover that I’m able to pursue that passion outside of my school’s news show, Knight View.

(Photo by Julia Diener; shot on Panasonic DMC-ZS10)

So, I’m very eager to share that later this June, I’ll be joining PBS NewsHour Student Reporting Labs (SRL) in Washington D.C. for a journalism and storytelling training camp. I’m one of twenty-four students who were selected across the country to participate in this. I’m immensely grateful for the opportunity. I can’t wait to bring back my new knowledge, ideas, and skills to Knight View this fall!

Speaking of Knight View, I’m eager to share that I’ll be co-producing Knight View for the 2024-2025 school year! I wanted to have a leadership role like this since I first started working on Knight View back in 2022. The main reason I love broadcast journalism being able to share people’s stories. I’ve always believed that people have a story worth sharing and I think that broadcast journalism is a beautiful way to do that.

Additionally, it was my first year being on staff for my school’s newspaper, the Southerner. I had my first story published my freshman year, but I don’t count that as being on staff. That story was about my adoption story. Looking back on it now, I would’ve written it very differently. Regardless, it won third place in first-person experiences at CSPA’s (Columbia Scholastic Press Association) Golden Circle Awards.

I also wrote a story about my school’s general health curriculum. I pointed out that the menstrual cycle isn’t even discussed, which is a significant issue. I’m proud of this story, and other people seem to enjoy it. That story was selected as the best comment in all of Georgia (All-Georgia Commentary) at the GSPA’s (Georgia Scholastic Press Association) Spring Awards.

(Photo by Laila Phelan; shot on Panasonic DMC-ZS10)

But, it wasn’t a perfect year. There were definitely ups and downs. I struggled a little here and there, as I think everyone does. But the important thing is that I picked myself back up. I’m still proud of my accomplishments and the lessons I learned. I always had help from my friends and I’m forever grateful to have them in my life. They always make me laugh, even on my worst days.

I’d like to say one final time that I’m extremely grateful for all of the opportunities I’ve been given this year and I truly can’t express that enough. Thank you to everyone that has helped me along the way.