As the end of my senior year rapidly approaches, I’ve been doing a lot of reflecting and reminiscing (between the studying and stressing, of course). I’ve been thinking back to my freshman year and how much I’ve grown; it’s almost like all of the atoms that constitute my personality, beliefs and values have completely rearranged into an entirely new person. A vitally important facet in this cosmic shift was this journalism class.

If you asked me to describe my personality freshman year, you would probably hear something along the lines of “shy” or “introverted” exclusively. Hey, I was right. Once I found my friends, I just latched onto them and refused to branch out. I could barely talk to my other peers during class or even my teachers when I was in need of assistance. So naturally, I decided to sign up for a journalism class, where you have to interview people and need strong communication skills.

That first year was cumbersome; I do not remember the precise quality of my writing, but as I read first-year journalism students’ articles currently, it doesn’t bode well for the comprehensibility of my own work. The worst part was the interviews. I had to reach out to a lot of people in order to have a complete and thorough article, and remember, I don’t like to reach out to people. Even emailed interviews were difficult because I felt like an annoying burden to my interviewees. However, I was forced to do it. So I did it.

Like everything, developing good communication skills took practice. Eventually, it got easier. I was no longer frightened to ask my peers and teachers for an interview. As I grew older, those abilities began to seep into my everyday life. When there were no friends in my class, I didn’t feel stranded on my own lonely island. I actually talked to people and formed new friendships. When struggling in a class, I was able to reach out to my teachers and create strong academic relationships.

I’m still introverted, preferring my friends and small intimate settings to large gatherings, but I have grown immensely more confident and secure. As I move onto college, I will enter this new stage of my life with a strong foundation, and I have to give my thanks to journalism and Mr. Duncan.

Thank you for everything,

Kalea Reeves