Weeks before I packed up my life in Hanceville, I ran across a large collection of papers, full of the short stories, journals and poems that I wrote as a child. Tears fell as I began to reflect on how my journey to The Selma Times-Journal.

I have always known that I wanted to be a writer, but it took me years to determine that journalism was the profession for me.

I considered being a book author until I hit junior high. While I enjoyed creative writing, I didn’t think it could make the kind of positive impact I had always planned to make with my career.

After doing some heavy research, I determined that journalism was the perfect fit. As a staff writer, I could share essential information, initiate discussions that would help society progress and learn people’s personal stories.

I attended the University of Alabama as a journalism major excited to learn more about what journalism had to offer. During my college years, I got the opportunity to explore almost every aspect of journalism and work with The Crimson White and Dateline Alabama, student-run news organization on campus.

Deadlines for both my school assignments and articles kept me stressed, but knowing my work would pay off kept me motivated. I graduated from Alabama in August, knowing I was on the right path to my dream.

After only a few months of job searching, I earned a staff writer position at The Selma Times-Journal that shattered any doubts I once had. I knew then that I my dream was just around the corner.

My journey has given me a better idea of my vision and reasons behind it.

This career goes beyond a paycheck. It allows me to speak to the whole world when I was once to shy to speak in front of class. It’s a chance to have conversations with new people that shape my perspective on the world. It’s a way to give a voice to people that are never heard. It’s a way to give to communities that have raised me to be the successful person I am today.

I pray that God continues to bless me to bring positivity to the world, one byline at a time.