Attending the USC Annenberg Youth Academy has been an enriching experience, one that has deeply impacted me. As the program nears its conclusion, I find myself increasingly reluctant to leave. This week, being the second to last, has been particularly challenging emotionally because it signifies the approaching end of our collective journey. Throughout the Academy, I’ve formed friendships that feel enduring, and I’ve absorbed lessons that will stay with me for life. The sense of gratitude I feel towards this experience is profound. This week, although slower-paced compared to previous ones, has been equally fulfilling. It has provided me with the opportunity to delve into various ideas for my numerous final projects, allowing my mind to explore and expand. Reflecting on these past weeks, I realize how much I’ve grown personally and intellectually. The USC Annenberg Youth Academy has not only broadened my knowledge but has also nurtured my creativity and critical thinking skills. As we approach the conclusion of this chapter, I am filled with gratitude for the memories made, the knowledge gained, and the friendships forged.
Working on a comic strip for our communication class has been a new and exciting endeavor for me. Collaborating with my group has been incredibly rewarding—they’re all supportive and creative individuals. I’ve developed a genuine appreciation for our communication class, especially for our discussions on civic engagement and the thought-provoking readings that often led to insightful conversations. Exploring these concepts has been intellectually stimulating, and I found myself eagerly participating in class discussions. As the course nears its end, I feel a sense of nostalgia already. While I’ll miss our class interactions, I’m looking forward to pouring my newfound knowledge and enthusiasm into our final project. Creating a comic strip offers a unique opportunity to blend storytelling with visual communication, and I’m excited to see how we can creatively convey our ideas. Although the structured part of the class will soon conclude, I’m grateful for the lasting impact it has had on me. I anticipate that the skills and perspectives I’ve gained will continue to resonate beyond the classroom. Here’s to finishing strong with our comic strip project and cherishing the memories and learning experiences from this class.
Taking journalism has reinforced my deep love for storytelling. I find myself completely engrossed in crafting narratives that captivate and inform. Beyond just storytelling, journalism has shown me the power of words to drive change. Despite the substantial effort it demands, writing feels effortless because I’m channeling my thoughts into meaningful pieces that can make a difference. I’m immensely grateful for the impact journalism has had on me, both inside and outside the classroom. Currently, I’m eagerly working on a piece addressing the issue of medication accessibility for teenagers from low-income backgrounds. This topic resonates deeply with me, and I’m passionate about exploring solutions that can make a tangible difference in people’s lives. This week, we had an exciting opportunity to produce a broadcast news episode. Being involved behind the scenes and in front of the camera was exhilarating. As the director, I had the privilege of overseeing operations in Studio A and contributing to the script, which was a lot of fun and incredibly fulfilling. The experience has solidified my admiration for broadcast journalism, highlighting the dynamic interplay between production elements and storytelling. It’s moments like these that reaffirm my dedication to journalism and my excitement for the future stories I’ll have the privilege to tell.
Communicating Change 