May 20th, 2026
The past four years were some of the best and worst times of my life.
I say that knowing that I am about to embark on a new chapter of my life, which is terrifying. College is going to be something completely new and unknown. I’ll have to put myself out there and do my best to make friends, which has admittedly always been hard for me.
Putting my fears about the future aside, I am incredibly lucky to have gotten such a phenomenal education at Midtown High School. Sure, I suck at math. I’m a communications major for a reason. But Midtown showed me that I want to be a communications major. It introduced me to my love for journalism.
My final career may not end up being journalism, but my love for journalism is a part of who I am. I’ve loved watching the news since I was a little baby. Seriously. Ask anyone in my family, and they will tell you that I loved this one specific weathercaster on the local news. I watched President Obama’s first inauguration, even though I was barely a sentient being at that point.
If my final career isn’t in journalism, I’ll always have that. I’ll never lose my love for politics, Premiere Pro, or a good human interest story. There’s been so much back-and-forth about my future career, but I keep coming back to journalism. My first dream (when I was like 7) was to be the President. That’s not something I have any interest in doing today. Maybe a Senator or something. But I think if I end up in a career that isn’t related to journalism or politics, I’ll always have the “what if”s bouncing around in my head.
My initial push away from the journalism field was that it wouldn’t make me happy long-term. But when I made that decision, I was incredibly overworked and burnt out beyond belief. I didn’t fully understand what a significant role journalism plays in who I am. I honestly think that journalism might be the only thing that keeps me happy long-term.
Journalism has always been there for me. Even if the headlines make me want to barf sometimes. I am obviously scared for the future, as I think most people my age are. With the rise of AI, I don’t even know what careers in journalism will still exist once I graduate from college. I’m terrified, but I feel comfortable at the same time. It’s such a weird feeling.
Regardless, for the first time in my entire life, I’m able to say “it will work out” and actually mean it.
I am so excited. And scared. But I will be okay!
May 20th, 2026 : Atlanta, GA
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Stella St. Clair 