Losing My Shyness, Gaining Expertise

By Aja Purvis

This is my second year being a part of the Youth Media Project, and I am enjoying it even more than I did the year before. We have progressed a lot since last year, and I'm excited about becoming familiar with the new faces of YMP. The biggest thing I've learned so far, within the approximate two weeks of 2016 that I have been attending YMP, is that having an open mind can be very beneficial. For example, even though I am more comfortable with writing, I have still attempted to broaden my horizons. Because of that, I was able to get a feel of what it is like to be a photographer. I got the opportunity to take pictures with and of Jackson Free Press photographer Imani Khayyam, as well as a few YMP student journalists. I actually enjoyed it, and I'm thinking about looking into photography. Now, I may develop a new expertise. 
 
Besides the positive and new experiences that I have had while expanding my horizons at YMP, I have been working with the YMP student journalists as a whole and within my house in a way that ensures that our ideas will all be brought about to the public. I am most grateful for having the opportunity to express myself through YMP. Because I can be a very introverted person at times, the Youth Media Project will be helping me a great deal, as far as making sure that my voice is heard. 
 
Within my house, “Writers' Warehouse,” student journalists, including myself, are researching and gathering information for our story idea. The title and topic of our story is "Valuing Athletes Over Education." I am very comfortable with the people in my house, and I feel like my opinions are heard and taken into consideration. Moreover, we have been working really hard as a group, and I can't wait for the article to be published. Because we have to interview people for accurate information to include in our story, the small amount of shyness that I have is diminishing a bit. I'm ecstatic about that, of course. 

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