In March of 2022, my father offered me an opportunity to switch schools. At the time, I was enrolled in the E-Communication Academy at my local high school, fully engaged in my goal of becoming a sports broadcaster. However, I found myself struggling in other areas of my life, leading to a challenging decision. Ultimately, I chose to follow my siblings and spend my final two years at a private school, leaving behind a robust journalism program for a school that offered little in terms of media training.

 

Upon my arrival, I was determined to change that, realizing major improvements wouldn't come without challenges. Over the last year and a half, I encountered issues such as lack of equipment, technical malfunctions, and, most significantly, the hesitance of my classmates to participate in a new media program. Many didn’t see the appeal of staying late after school or missing out on social gatherings to work on broadcasts that did not align with their passions. Despite these obstacles, I persevered, and the results have been remarkable. I initiated the first sports broadcasts for four different sports during the fall and winter seasons and hosted the school's inaugural pregame show, setting a new direction for our media program. I could not have done it without the incredible support from the administration. Upon reflection, I may not have achieved all of my goals, but most importantly, I pursued all of them. 

 

In my first year, I broadcast just under forty of the Men’s and Women’s Basketball games, fully committing to making my play-by-play dream a reality. I made those two teams my media playground, doing everything I could, even outside of play-by-play, to hone my skills as a sports journalist. From pregame interviews with coaches to postgame interviews with star players, I worked endlessly to take advantage of my rare opportunity. People asked me why I was doing this. I simply answered: to get better. 

 

In February 2024, IONYOU Media, a Kansas City photo company, offered me the lead sports writer position to compliment their photos. I accepted and immediately began covering games in person. I prepared, created, and distributed articles that were highlighted by the company’s photos that were taken. I was credentialed at over fifty sporting events with some of the biggest sports names in the Kansas City area, including Sporting Kansas City, The Kansas City Current, University of Kansas Football and Men’s Basketball, The Kansas City Monarchs, as well as many other conference and league events. I worked media days, press conferences, and of course - game days. Every time I walked out onto the pitch or field and looked around me, I had to take it all in. Fans screaming around me, the players warming up, and I realized that I was doing something that seventeen-year-olds do not normally get to do.

 

When school resumed I applied to become a broadcaster for 810 Varsity, the high school sports broadcaster of 810 WHB, a local radio station. I showcased my level of hard work and drive to be the best I possibly can which catapulted me into a weekly play-by-play role broadcasting high school football. I am still working for 810 Varsity, excited to continue broadcasting basketball this winter. 

 

The list of experiences goes on and on, from getting contracted by the Kansas City Chiefs to helping with live video production events for my local government agencies, but one thing remains. Whether I am broadcasting an incredible touchdown run from a senior the night before homecoming, writing down an answer from a distraught striker after a tough Sporting loss, or filming testimonials of kids in Ethiopia, my job is to tell their stories. 

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One of my favorite scenes in life is the picture of friends and families sitting around a crackling fire telling stories. The idea of a flame intermingling with an interactive narrative to create an auditory masterpiece fascinates me. That fascination manifested itself into directly impacting my choices and my future. Throughout middle and high school, people would ask me the same question: What do you want to be when you grow up? For years I have had an answer ready, but over time I also realized that a ‘want’ is much different than a pursuit. Reflecting over the past decade, one thing became clear to me. I am a storyteller.