Scholar. Musician. Daughter
Hi, I’m Ana and I currently live in Decatur, Georgia. I’ve lived in Decatur since I was in first grade. I live with my mom named Andrea, dad named Paul, older sister named Alex, and my dog named Teddy. I really enjoy Decatur and living near the Atlanta area. The community is really beautiful and it is very walkable.
I am 15 years old and going into my sophmore year of high school at Decatur High School For me, getting adjusted to the high school environment wasn’t too difficult. But I am nervous for sophmore year because everyone says it’s the worst year of high school. On the topic of school, my favorite subjects are math (when I’m understanding what we’re learning) and english.
I really enjoy writing stories and letting my creative juices flow. I also really enjoy the research aspect of writing as well. The research is what really interested me in journalism and seeing the reporting being done on tv. On CNN, I really enjoy watching Erin Burnett and look up to her. I’m not exactly sure why I look up to her specifically, but watching her and other reporters on tv makes me want to do the same. They all look like they enjoy their job and I enjoy doing what they do (especially being in front of a camera). Unlike many aspiring journalists my age, I’m not on my school’s newspaper or yearbook team, but I am trying to get into a class which learns about film and eventually gets to contribute to writing our school’s Carpe Diem. This is only because that is really the only “newspaper” we have. Right now, I am exploring my options on what specific type of journalism interests me through this camp. I also did a few mentoring sessions with my aunt Kathy who is a journalist for the Cincinnati Herald. During these sessions, we talked about what I was interested in and introduced me to some material to help me look at what journalists do. For example, she told me what skills are vital for journalists to develop. These sessions have helped me realize that sharing interests with someone who you’re close to, especially when they’re an expert, is a privilege.
Other than writing and research, I really enjoy music. I play piano and have been since fourth grade. During covid, I was still having piano lessons off and on through facetime before switching to doing lessons on face time full time since my teacher moved. I am also involved in my school’s chorus and this year I auditioned for one of the top chorus classes, and I got into the one I auditioned for. I really enjoy singing and feel like during my freshman year I got out of my shell more and taking more risks during chorus. My quirky chorus director, Dr. ES is who to thank. I auditioned for All-State chorus, which was my first ever audition for anything, but I didn’t end up making it. Although I didn’t make it, it was still a great experience for me and I know what I need to work on to hopefully make it next year! I also do mixed martial arts and have been for almost two years. To name a few, during trainings we do kickboxing, sparring, and self defense. I am currently a brown belt and working towards my black belt. I’ve learned and grown a lot since I was a white belt. I’ve developed confidence, strength, and self defense skills.
Through all of my life experiences, I have learned what I think is the most important thing, I have learned to take as many opportunities as you can because there are people wishing they had what you have right now.
Joe Dennis 