Features: A Message from Claes Nobel Advisory Board Highlight - Tyra Banks High School Highlight Partner News College-Bound Advice A Senior's Words of Wisdom for the College Application Process Internships from a Student's Perspective Learn to Earn ABCs on the SAT Spotlight on Service Tsunami Relief: How You Can Help Red Cross: Give the Gift of Life--Every Drop Counts Students Follow Their Passion -- Taking Advantage of Special Opportunities People to People: An Adventure of a Lifetime The Joy of Journalism Adventure in the Alps: Summer in Switzerland Overcoming Challenges Coping with Change: Coming to America Struggling with Scoliosis: Obstacles into Opportunities Overcoming Personal Affliction The Joy of Journalism by Liuan Chen Vidor High School, Class of 2005 Vidor, Texas The smell of rubber cement invading my nostrils, the clickety-clack of students pecking frantically at the keys, the pressure of impending deadlines; are invariable characteristics of the newspaper production room that assure me the minute I walk in that I am home. This room has been my niche in Vidor High School for four years, where I have learned, developed, and grown to love my chosen craft. I have been mesmerized by the written word ever since I could remember. I read books like I ate chocolate, secretly smuggling them under my blankets with a flashlight. I wrote avidly as well, winning elementary school composition contests and conjuring up adventure stories for my pen pal. In ninth grade, I took my writing skills to a different plane, honing and condensing my words to fit headline space, news stories, and features. I carried my verbal offspring to maturity through all steps of the newspaper production process--interviewing, writing, laying out pages, and proofing them. In deadline crunches I pored over layout problems into the evening with a slice of pizza in one hand and a pica pole in the other. I was fascinated. From experiencing the challenges and rewards of high school journalism, I have decided to pursue a career in the field. My journalistic accomplishments have encouraged me to strive higher. I have pitted my pen against fellow journalists at UIL competitions and found my skills compatible, garnering medals in headline, news, and feature writing at both the district and regional level. In the 2004 Texas Edith Fox King High School Journalism contest, I placed in the feature photo, feature writing, and single page layout categories. Besides the personal satisfaction I get from writing, I also aspire to go into journalism for the change I can make in others' lives. I love to write about people. Since I have been on the newspaper staff, I have walked around school with a different viewpoint, wondering if the events I witness can be translated into an interesting and relevant story. Sometimes the possible stories turned into something very different from what I first envisioned when I actually interviewed the people. After interviewing, giving the mass of information a body and a soul was one of the most perplexing and rewarding parts of the process. When I am sitting in front of a blank screen and furrowing my brow, I think of the smiles, laughs, or thoughtful responses that my story will elicit from readers. I feel pressure because I realize that I am a link between the two parts of a complex relationship. I translate the emotions and experiences of the people I write about into meaningful information for my readers. With my words, I can challenge, inspire, and provoke. Knowing that I have such a power compels me to continue writing, taking my place as a bridge on the dynamic and infinitely intriguing map of humanity. <<Back to Journal Home page