Writing and Reporting

Reporting on recycling clothes and thrifting was an especially meaningful and exciting experience for me because thrifting is something I personally enjoy. Working on this package allowed me to combine one of my interests with journalism, which made the reporting process even more engaging. I was able to interview the manager of Goodwill along with several local thrifters, giving me the opportunity to hear different perspectives on sustainability, fashion, and the growing popularity of secondhand shopping.

Through this experience, I strengthened my interviewing and communication skills by learning how to ask thoughtful questions that encouraged detailed and personal responses. I also learned how to research and organize information in a way that would both inform and connect with viewers. Overall, this story helped me grow as a reporter while allowing me to explore a topic I genuinely care about.

Broadcast Journalism

InFocus has given me the opportunity to combine my passion for storytelling with my love of music and community engagement. One of my favorite projects was creating a feature on musicians at Paly, which allowed me to connect with student artists and continue exploring my own interest in songwriting. Through interviewing musicians and sharing their stories, I gained a greater appreciation for the creativity and talent within our school.

In addition, livestreaming sports has shown me the important role journalism plays in building school spirit. Broadcasting games helps create a stronger sense of community by allowing students, families, and friends to support our athletes, even when they cannot attend in person. It also reminds players that their hard work is recognized and appreciated by others. These experiences have taught me that journalism is about more than reporting information—it is about bringing people together and highlighting the voices and achievements that make our school unique.

Team Building

​One of the ways I contributed to team building in InFocus was by being supportive and dependable. I always tried to create a positive environment where my classmates felt comfortable asking questions, sharing ideas, and seeking feedback. Whether someone needed help brainstorming a story, reviewing a script, or assisting with filming, I was happy to help. Journalism is a collaborative process, and I believe my willingness to support others and contribute wherever needed helped strengthen our class community and made working together more enjoyable.

Web and Social Media

As the website manager for InFocus for one semester, I was responsible for making sure our content was organized, updated, and accessible to the school community. I enjoyed this role because I have always been interested in social media and digital communication. Platforms like our website and Instagram allow us to reach students, teachers, and families even if they miss the broadcast during class. By posting our packages online, we ensure that important stories, student achievements, and school events can still be seen by a wider audience.

This experience showed me how powerful digital media can be in connecting people and keeping communities informed. Whether someone wanted to catch up on a story they missed or watch a package again, our online platforms made that possible. Managing the website helped me develop strong organizational skills while also allowing me to contribute to a system that keeps the Paly community connected and engaged.

Editing

Editing plays a major role in shaping how a story is presented, especially when trying to connect multiple perspectives into one cohesive package. While editing my story on recycling clothes and thrifting, I focused on creating a smooth transition between a student discussing why thrifting is popular among teens and a Goodwill employee explaining the impact of secondhand shopping on sustainability. This process taught me how important pacing, audio, and visuals are in helping a story flow naturally and keeping viewers engaged.

The supportive classroom environment made learning the editing process much more approachable. Before submitting our packages, the class watches them together and provides constructive feedback, which has helped me recognize areas for improvement and strengthen my work. We use Adobe for editing, and although it felt overwhelming at first, I have become more comfortable using its tools to improve transitions, organize clips, and enhance the overall quality of my videos. Through this experience, I have gained more confidence in my editing abilities and developed a stronger understanding of how editing can elevate storytelling.

Important Links

Website: infocusnews.tv

Instagram: @infocusnews