Personal Statement
Gabrielle Shore
Carlmont High School
NSPA Writer of the Year Submission
The written word is my refuge and my weapon. Growing up, I learned more from the fictional worlds of books than from the reality in which I lived. My love for reading quickly developed into a passion for writing, and in kindergarten, I released my first literary masterpiece: “The Brd ad the Dog” (because “I”s were for seeing, and the “n” in “and” was optional).
A newfound conformation to grammar standards somewhere around the first grade certainly transformed my writing, but the true turning point came when I joined my school’s journalism program two years ago. Since then, I have learned to tell the stories that inform, inspire, and ignite change.
In the first semester, the article that filled every reporter’s notebook in my possession dealt with girls in the juvenile justice system whose unparalleled plight is rarely recognized. Reporting this story in all its complexity taught me that journalism is not just a profession but a mission—a responsibility to give voice to the voiceless and to bridge the gaps in society.
Through my coverage of girls in juvenile justice, I also learned that every story is tied to another, and we, as journalists, strive to follow the thread. In exploring child welfare, I came across another group of underrepresented voices to spotlight in my writing: youth aging out of foster care.
Whether it’s uplifting marginalized groups or highlighting a human interest story, I perceive my journalistic writing as a service to my community. Never was this perspective more important than when a mass shooting occurred in Half Moon Bay, just 20 minutes from my school. Anticipating extensive coverage from every local newspaper, I recognized my community’s need for a fresh angle, which I pursued in a feature article as a part of a multimedia package.
At its core, journalism is a channel for communication. Through opinions and editorials, I find myself engaged in a dialogue with my readers. In the first semester, I used my platform to argue for an updated English curriculum. In the next, I focused on teen vaping and the use of Artificial Intelligence in schools. But some topics lend themselves to a literary device that is often overlooked: satire. When San Francisco’s Board of Supervisors approved a plan to employ lethal robots, I responded with a satirical piece that garnered thousands of views. Regardless of the style, opinion writing empowers me to transcend passive observation of the world, to amplify my voice and actively contribute to the collective discourse.
In a world increasingly saturated with conflicting narratives and half-truths, journalism has never been more vital. Armed with words, I intend to embark on a lifelong journey of unearthing the truth, championing the values of empathy, accountability, and occasionally, humor. I’m thrilled to step into the role of Editor-in-Chief in the fall, where these will remain my guiding principles.
01.
Juvenile (in)justice: girls in the system
When I crossed paths with someone who had navigated the revolving doors of the juvenile justice system, the glaring flaws within it became strikingly clear. During my first year on the newspaper, I scratched the surface of this topic with a news article, but I delved deeper this year by exploring a specific population that is often overlooked: girls in juvenile justice.
The news-gathering process for this feature was remarkably smooth as my sources willingly engaged in extensive conversations and trusted me with further resources. However, a challenge presented itself when I had to transform hours of Otter.ai recordings and a short novel’s worth of notes into a concise and hard-hitting story. This task taught me to remain patient while constructing an article under the pressure of a rapidly approaching deadline. I also learned that a well-crafted story has the power to move hearts, challenge preconceptions, and inspire action.
02.
Independent but invisible: the reality of aging out of foster care
Oftentimes, one story will inspire another. In an interview for my juvenile justice feature, the source commented on the foster care system. While it didn’t directly relate to the article I was working on at the time, I recorded the timestamp for a future story. Months later, the Highlander announced its next issue’s theme: “adulting.” Assigned to features, I opted to highlight the experiences of youth aging out of foster care, tackling adulthood under unconventional circumstances. Soon, my simple note had blossomed into one of my most impactful articles.
The two former foster children I interviewed for this piece left an indelible mark on me; their bravery surpassed anything I had ever witnessed. Through our conversations, I gained a deep appreciation for the vulnerability that sources willingly embrace when they choose to open up during an interview. In return for their courage, it is my responsibility to tell their stories with empathy and integrity.
This view was particularly important when one of my sources, holding back tears, requested that his identity not be revealed in my writing. While I typically encourage including names to enhance an article’s impact, this individual recounted his story in such profound detail that it was only fair to tell it on his terms. Ultimately, writing this feature taught me that empathy is an indispensable quality for any storyteller.
03.
Numb to a murderous rhythm
The pervasiveness of gun violence in the United States is undeniable, but on Jan. 23, 2023, the bullets hit too close to home. The day after the mass shooting in Half Moon Bay, my journalism class discussed the incident, reflecting on the details, sharing our emotions, and contemplating our response. As the conversation unfolded, I hastily scribbled nearly indecipherable notes, hoping that they would lay the groundwork for a news feature.
For me, it wasn't the proximity of the incident that was the most startling, but rather the rapidity with which people moved on. So, I strived to provide readers with an objective look into America’s potential desensitization to gun violence and how the Half Moon Bay shooting fits into the bigger picture. Simultaneously, I sought to satiate my own curiosity regarding why there had been more mass shootings than days in 2023.
However, as I delved deeper into the writing process, I realized my personal interest in the topic was taking priority over the needs of my readers. To rectify this, I introduced an additional section that discussed student perspectives, hoping the article would better serve my readers if they could find themselves reflected in its content. While I can only hope to have accomplished this goal, this experience reminded me that journalists have a duty to tell the stories their readership needs to read, especially in the wake of a disquieting event.
04.
Editorial: We need to turn the page on assigned readings
My first editorial argued for the importance of student involvement in shaping our education, specifically when it comes to an activity with which I am utterly enamored: reading. It’s no secret that teenagers generally aren’t avid readers. However, research indicates that if students could have a say in what books were assigned to them in class, they would find more meaning and enjoyment in the activity. Moreover, I noted the irony of teachers encouraging students to explore new perspectives while clinging to outdated and irrelevant books.
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Because a personal interest inspired this editorial, I had to adapt my writing to reflect the views of the entire editorial staff. After engaging in a back-and-forth, I decided to incorporate multiple counterpoints in the editorial, yielding a final product we could all take pride in. I believe the synthesis of my peers' perspectives with my own helped me produce a quality editorial that I could not accomplish alone.
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05.
Satire: The day the robots take over
When San Francisco’s Board of Supervisors approved a plan to employ lethal robots, I jumped at the chance to express my appreciation for their sense and sensibility – Jane Austen could have written about this decision had it graced the world 200 years earlier.
In all seriousness, developing this piece showed me that a hard-hitting article doesn't have to be conventional – a realization that evolved my relationship with journalistic writing. According to my older brother, it was not long after I learned to speak that I began to speak sarcastically. My passion for journalism intensified when I realized I could merge my love for writing with my inclination toward sardonic comments and mild passive aggression.
Writing this satire also gave me a new goal as a student journalist: to seek new and innovative ways of connecting with the student body. After publishing the article, I received heartening messages from my classmates and was even approached in person a couple of times. Perhaps killer robots aren't the most productive topic, but this experience opened my eyes to the importance of writing pieces that not only inform but also entertain and inspire. Next year, I intend to emphasize this notion of connecting with our readers as Editor-in-Chief.
Awards and Recognition
Below, I have included some of the awards I received for the articles in this submission. Please refer to the "About" page of my journalism portfolio for a complete list of my recognition.
Juvenile (in)justice: girls in the system
- Best of SNO – SNO Distinguished Sites
- Featured in Best of "Best of SNO" – SNO Distinguished Sites
- 2nd Place in Diversity Reporting – JEA Northern California 2023
- 3rd Place in Features – California Press Women 2023
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Editorial: We need to turn the page on assigned readings
- Honorable Mention in Editorials – JEA Northern California 2023
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Satire: The day the robots take over
- 4th Place in Opinion – NSPA Clips and Clicks Fall 2022
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Excellent in Sports Writing – JEA National Student Media Contest Spring 2023*
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*The recognition for sports writing is an intentional outlier to demonstrate versatility in my writing. Throw a ball in my direction, and I will duck in terror, but hand me a pen, and I will write an article about it without hesitation!