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Opinions writing
Opinion writing has always been a passion for me. When I was the Viewpoints Editor, opinions were where I spent most of my time. But by no means does it come easy to me. While I do have more of an affinity for it than others, I have worked very hard to get better at the type of writing I love so much.
Fresh Voice: Peter Atchley
Left: Here is a link to my story, which is one of the first editorials I ever wrote. A Fresh Voice is an editorial given to freshmen who are in the Journalism I class. This editorial was about my experience growing up as Queer person and how anti-LBGTQ legislation would affect me. This story is so important to me because my identity as LGBTQ is a large part of who I am as a journalist. I strongly encourage you to read this story because this story really shows what type of journalist I am and that I am very dedicated to representing the Queer experience in my work.
Actually Atchley: Mentorship
Left: Here is a link to the second column I wrote as the Viewpoints Editor, cleverly named Actually Atchley. This column focused on the benefits of mentors in youth lives. This story made me reflect on the mentors who affected me. Prior I had not considered these people mentors, but through research and interviews, I learned all that a mentor can be. Most of these mentors are in ODYSSEY, like my freshman year facilitators and Mr. Ragsdale. This column is just a good reminder of all that has gotten me to where I am today.
Actually Atchley: Teenage representation
Left: Here is a button with a link to my story on how popular media generalizes teenage representation. This is my first column of the year, and it is a rough one. I was just starting, and I can admit this story, for most of its drafts, had issues, especially with sources and organization. But as I always do, I put a lot of work into revising and working towards a better draft. This story taught me a lot about organization, something I am still working on. I am still proud of this as a final draft, but reading back, there are things I would change. It just shows how much I have grown in my time with the ODYSSEY.
Halloween package: head to head
Left: Here is a link to the head-to-head editorial story I wrote about why high schoolers should trick or treat. My opposing author, then senior Mykolas Kumpis, wrote that high school students shouldn't, while I said that there is no age limit on fun. This shows my early drive to express my opinions with my writing and create something powerful with every piece. I wrote this in my freshman year, and while not my best experience, it is a really fond memory of working alongside some upperclassmen in the ODYSSEY.
Actually Atchley: Emergency Phones
Left: Here is a link to an editorial I wrote on why students should keep their phones on their person throughout the day. I showed some more successful stories, but this editorial was a failure for me. I started by trying to revive a previous editorial that was similar from early sophomore year, which was really bad. The original story was boring to read, and to be frank, it was very unconvincing as an argument. The remake was stronger in those areas, but it still had faults in the evidence department. I had a strong opinion present, but I didn't report the story fairly. I also think the story is trying too hard to get a point across that which becomes repetitive towards the end, which I hate looking back. I think one way I could fix it (besides a total rewrite) would be to reimagine how I am using evidence to support my claims so the story is more balanced.
Boiling Point: Georgia phone bans
Left: Here is a photo and a button that is linked to a column I wrote this year on recent Georgia legislative phone bans in K-8 schools. I wanted to put this piece here to represent the success I had with this same topic that I failed with in the past. Even after I failed at this editorial the first two times, I still kept with it and felt passionate to complete it, which I did with this piece. Another thing that makes this column stand out is the sourcing. I was able to get interviews with multiple state legislators as well as my school administration. Overall, this is one of my favorite editorials I have ever written, and I think it represents my dedication to powerful journalism.
Boiling Point: Community activism
Left: Here is a button that links to the column I wrote for the second issue. At the beginning, I had my eye set on one angle for this story, but as my research and interviews progressed, it shifted. I followed that shift and got more interviews so that my story could flow better and be more holistic in its opinion. I think this column really came to life through the interviews I gathered. I was able to weave my opinions throughout while also highlighting these community activists. I am extremely proud of how this story came out because it represents how passionate I am to tell this story and inspire stronger community activism.
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