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By Steven Keehner Note: This was written in 2016. This was originally my college essay, but it was also written for The Nassau Reading Council's Best Young Writer Competition, which I won. “Either write something worth reading or do something worth writing” is what I scribble on my Senior Quotes and Activities sheet. As I sketch the words into my paper, I flashback eight years, to when I was standing with my Mom in our kitchen. By this time, I had become obsessed with SportsCenter. I was glued to watching these journalists tell stories throughout the sporting world, it seemed like the perfect job to me. “Is that their actual job Mom?” “Of course Steven, why wouldn’t it be?” My eyes flashed open with excitement! With one seemingly pointless question, my life would be changed forever; I knew from that moment what I wanted to do. I wanted to be a journalist. I’ve always had an interest in writing, I believe that everyone has a writer within, but I also believe it happens in different ways. I’ve never been able to put together a thrilling short story, nor have I been able to lace words to create an awe-inspiring poem. Hence, I had my doubts about finding my niche as a writer, but as I found out in 10th grade, life can work in odd ways.
In sophomore year, I knew at some point I would take Journalism, so I made an appointment to see my guidance counselor to review my electives. When I finally went to her, she told me that the only class available was Journalism; “You can take it, if you’re interested.” My eyes, much like eight years prior, flashed with excitement! I had the chance to take journalism! I was set on immediately becoming an integral part of my school newspaper, and this quickly became my focus and passion. I would become Oyster Bay High School’s Sports Editor! I also discovered my calling; I could write articles! I realized that I was good at this when I would bring my work to my teacher,and he would be impressed to see a novice write multiple pages about a variety of topics, whether it was soccer’s growth in the US, presidential previews, John Lennon’s legacy, or an album review. While I still couldn’t create a fictional masterpiece, I was able to find the narrative within a news story, and while I wasn’t able to develop a poem, I could lace together facts and my personality to create something unique. I confirmed much about myself; I had a passion for presenting news and facts to people while also keeping my own personal touch as a writer. My discovery of editing and designing was also born; I took pride in making sure that the paper was the best it could possibly be. In my junior year, I took this passion even further; I initiated a website for the school paper, and one year later, I was named not only the Editor-in-Chief of The Harbour Voice, but I was also named the Head Editor of the Online Website; which I designed by myself! Recently, I was given an opportunity to showcase my writing with not only Oyster Bay High School, but with Oyster Bay entirely, as I was given the chance to write for the town paper, The Oyster Bay Enterprise-Pilot. I was incredibly honored to be given this opportunity, and when I saw my name in an actual newspaper, it only fueled the fire inside of me even more to keep working harder. “Either write something worth reading or do something worth writing.” I look at the quote again, it’s definitely the right choice for me, it’s how I want to be remembered. I want to change the world with my words; I want people to read my work and feel something, whether that’s happiness, sadness, or anger, that’s not for me to decide. I’m not sure if I believe in fate, but I do know one thing: I want to be a journalist.
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