Commitment to Diversity

I believe that my commitment to diversity informs how I define a complete story. I do not treat inclusion as a final checklist item, but as an essential part of accuracy. When reporting, I deliberately seek voices that reflect a range of backgrounds, experiences and relationships to the topic. This often requires more time — additional outreach, follow-up interviews and reconsideration of my framing — but it consistently results in stronger journalism. I have learned that whose perspective is centered can fundamentally change not only the tone of a piece, but its truthfulness.

Reframing

While working on a feature for a city project commemorating the 1919 race riots, I initially structured the article around what seemed like a straightforward, news-y angle. However, after speaking with the story's main source about the project's motivations, I realized that my framing risked oversimplifying the story. Rather than trying to fit their perspective into my existing angle, I reworked the piece to reflect the added complexity. That process reinforced an important lesson: diversity strengthens journalism when it is allowed to reshape the story, not just employed to decorate it.

Sourcing Awareness

I have become increasingly intentional about my sourcing patterns. Early in my reporting, I noticed that many of my sources came from familiar circles or easily accessible groups. I started making a conscious effort to broaden my outreach — contacting students across grades, activities and perspectives. These adjustments often reveal viewpoints I had not anticipated, and prevent my stories from reflecting a narrow slice of the community. The habit of questioning “who's missing?” now guides my reporting process.

Editorial Leadership

As an editor, I encourage conversations about representation within our newsroom. I challenge both myself and staff writers to think critically about sourcing diversity, story framing and whose voices are prioritized. In editorial meetings, I often ask whether a piece reflects multiple perspectives or if certain viewpoints have been unintentionally excluded. These discussions have contributed to more balanced coverage and fostered a newsroom culture where inclusion is treated as a journalistic standard rather than an optional enhancement.

Coverage/Curation Choices

My story selection is shaped by a desire to highlight experiences that might otherwise receive limited attention. I am drawn to stories that explore underrepresented interests, overlooked student groups or perspectives that complicate dominant narratives. By pursuing these angles, I aim to contribute to coverage that better reflects the full range of voices within my school community.

Below are a few examples of stories within the A&E section that I curated (and some that I also wrote). I believe this collection exemplifies my commitment to representing a diverse range of voices and media within the Midway. 

In a Nutshell

Diverse reporting depends on trust, which is built through careful listening. I approach interviews with openness, allowing sources to define their own experiences rather than steering them toward preconceived conclusions. I have learned that when individuals feel heard rather than mined for quotes, conversations deepen and stories gain authenticity.