PHOENIX- Journalism as a science sets the idea that Adobe Creative Cloud is a lab in itself.
Encompassed by the idea of editing, the role of being a digital media scientist might also be seen as story-telling. Mixing audio, adding B-Roll and creating visual pieces found a flow state. Journalism and new media became the forefront of peace.
There was a broadcast television class in high school where the television studio brought communities together. Being in front of the camera and telling stories at my school mattered. Taunted by senior year, the idea of a first-generation college student was soon to come to life.
The Cronkite School from the tour was impressive all the way around. This was the time to be at the next steps of media while incorporating tradition. New media and multimedia journalism would allow Cronkite to challenge me as a student. Which, it ended up doing.
It was time to step away from the heart of Ohio and to the heart of the desert. Where the duality of sports and culture met in Arizona Valley.
Torn between the idea of focusing on sports journalism or staying general news, going to college allowed me to embrace both. There was a shot of opportunity everywhere on campus. By joining student government, attending journalism club meetings, becoming a member of the Asian American Journalists Association and crossing into a historically black sorority. The sense of representation for the next generation was being built starting in student-led spaces and shifting to the classroom.
Enrolling into the Spring 2026 semester, there was an opportunity to bridge identities and interests. The option to take “Sports Culture and Commentary” was one that would not be passed. Given there were sports and culture publications like Andscape out there, this was a time to try something different. A challenge was needed to set myself up for a new “experiment” which would be: columns and commentary.
Taught to write objectively put me in positions of enterprise and feature stories in most classes. Starting with leads allowed for a hint of personality. However, broadcast was the way for me but the writing was lacking. The idea of writing columns and commentary was fruitful in allowing me to focus on my writing voice.
It’s the community that comes from commentary that many journalists may not get to see. The people who have the right to share their voice could especially in the world of sports. It could be to writing about transfer portal debates to predictions. There was a uniqueness to writers in this space. This was their craft and their lab. Where they could create pieces that mattered to them and allow them to grow.
If people want to be seen and heard for their work, there are adjustments to be made with the movement of media. With commentary, there will always be a community. People will always have something to say about something, an event, a game or even drama between players and coaches. Commentary helps convey and enhance conversations.
Growth and opportunity, that’s what it will take to compliment the column and commentary field.
