elizabeth franklin

For me, stepping into journalism was akin to Alice stepping into the magical world of Wonderland; my journalism class had been completely different than any other class I’d ever known. Independence was a necessity to survive the class, and creativity flooded the room each and every day. Even today, four years later and a complete cycle of writers and editors, the class remains an anomaly within the monotony of my other classes; yet, it is a perfect anomaly that I can’t imagine living without. 

I’d always loved writing, but it wasn’t until I joined Parkway West’s newspaper, the Pathfinder, that my skills were put under a spotlight and challenged. Therefore, my portfolio is not only a showcase of my work but an exhibition of my growth throughout my high school journalism career. Beyond high school, I aim to take the skills I’ve learned through journalism to continue my work with dismantling systems stemming from bigotry and prejudice and facilitating conversations around equity. 

With this portfolio — that denotes some of my favorite stories that I’ve written, leadership skills I’ve developed, and the community that I’m proud to call a second home — I have the raw hope that my passion and dedication to journalism is apparent.