Recently, I was invited to participate in the Washington Journalism and Media Conference, a widely recognized week-long event at George Mason University in Washington, DC, this summer. I have been excited for the opportunity to participate in this event and was honored to receive a partial scholarship. However, this did not fully meet my financial needs to be able to attend the event, and I would greatly appreciate any assistance that could be provided to help me to achieve something that I have been looking forward to for quite some time, in addition to helping me get closer to pursuing my long-term goals of being a journalist.

Since I was very young, I have loved writing and telling stories. The concept of sharing information and ideas in such a specific and nuanced way is fascinating and gives me a way to feel connected to the world around me. At the start of the pandemic in 2020, I was introduced to some forms of social media and the Internet, which provided me with information about the political climate and events of that time. I was immediately drawn to the debates and conversations surrounding it and was eager to learn more. I now consider myself significantly more politically aware than many of my peers and make a point to stay up-to-date on current events. Through my pursuit of knowledge, I have encountered multiple people who willingly spread misinformation for the purpose of obtaining money, followers, or other personal gains. This has always angered me, as I feel it is unethical towards those who genuinely seek the truth to be confronted with conflicting information that clouds their judgment. As a journalist, I hope to be a catalyst for change in a modern society where competitive political environments often lead to confusion and violence, and I’d like to combat this by sharing ideas and information with the world truthfully and logically without compromising the ethical and humane roots of such information. Beginning to prepare for my career early on in my educational journey will help me make a larger impact later in life when I enter the field of work and provide me with unique experiences that will help me throughout my career. I am grateful for the opportunity to participate in such an event and am looking forward to the experiences that await me in the future!

I sincerely thank you for considering a donation, no matter how small, to my educational and creative endeavors!