Being part of InFocus has helped me grow tremendously both as a student journalist and as a person. Throughout this semester, I have become a stronger reporter, better communicator, and more confident collaborator. Before joining InFocus, I never realized how much effort goes into creating meaningful journalism. Over time, I learned that reporting is not simply writing stories — it is about digging deeper, asking thoughtful questions, and finding stories that truly matter to a community.

One of the biggest ways InFocus has shaped me is by teaching me how to search for stories beneath the surface. I have learned how important it is to interview multiple perspectives, research carefully, and remain persistent when information is difficult to find. There were moments where I struggled to develop a story or felt unsure about what angle to pursue, but those experiences ultimately made me a better reporter. Journalism pushed me outside of my comfort zone and taught me how to communicate with a variety of people, including students, staff members, and community members I would not have otherwise interacted with.

Along the way, I also faced challenges balancing InFocus with my other academic and personal responsibilities. Managing deadlines while keeping up with schoolwork was sometimes difficult, especially during stressful periods of the semester. In addition, I occasionally experienced technical obstacles while working on equipment. For example, there were times when camera lenses would unexpectedly switch or equipment would not cooperate during livestreams or recordings. These situations taught me how important adaptability and problem-solving are in journalism. Instead of panicking, I learned how to stay calm under pressure and quickly adjust.

High school journalism has had a major impact on my life because it has helped me become more involved in my school community. Through reporting and media coverage, I have attended events and spoken to people I may never have connected with otherwise. Journalism helped me understand how important storytelling is in bringing people together and informing others. I also believe the skills I have developed in InFocus will help me in future careers and opportunities, even outside of journalism itself.

This class has strengthened both my hard journalism skills and soft workplace skills. I improved technical abilities such as interviewing, filming, editing, and livestreaming events. At the same time, I developed stronger communication, teamwork, time management, and leadership skills. These skills have transferred into other areas of my life, including school projects, presentations, and social interactions. I have become more confident speaking to others, asking questions, and taking initiative.

In addition to my bylined work, I contributed to InFocus in many other ways this semester. I helped livestream several school events, including plays, concerts, lacrosse games, and cultural assemblies. These livestreams required preparation, technical setup, and teamwork to ensure events ran smoothly for viewers. Even though these contributions may not always have my name attached to them, they were an important part of supporting the overall success of InFocus and helping document events within the school community.

Overall, InFocus has taught me much more than how to produce journalism. It has taught me responsibility, persistence, adaptability, and the importance of community storytelling. The experiences I gained this semester have shaped me both academically and personally, and I know the lessons and skills I developed through journalism will continue to benefit me in the future.