"I have always had a great curiosity for 'whats behind the curtain'."
Hometown: Miami, Florida
PBS Mentor Station: South Florida PBS
Six-word Memoir: Never satisfied, always looking for more.
Why did you choose to get involved in storytelling?
I have always had a great curiosity for ‘whats behind the curtain’. When I see an interesting subject, I’m always drawn to ask what the motivation behind it is. Storytelling allows me to see more than meets the eye and to tell others new and interesting stories that they wouldn’t have experienced if someone hadn’t revealed it to them.
What story are you most proud of?
I’m most proud of the short documentary I made about the granddaughter of a holocaust survivor. The story covered one woman’s relationship with her grandfather, and how his internment affected him for the rest of his life. Upon his passing, she got a tattoo matching his identification number; this was her way of keeping her grandfather alive. This was the first story that I had complete control over, and I am proud of the message and memory carried on through the documentary. I believe that I was able to highlight her special relationship with her grandfather, and bring light to the need for acceptance and remembrance.
How can youth media change the world?
I believe that the youth media is a unique outlet for raising awareness during the corona virus pandemic. Seeing as most individuals are at home, there has been a significant spike in media viewing and social media usage. I believe youth media can attract a different demographic than the traditional news source would. Although I watch the news, countless teens are not as interested. I believe that youth media can be integrated into social media and inform individuals who may not have heard the information before. It will also provide a perspective of how the virus has affected youth.
Who is your role model?
I really feel as if I would like to tread my own path, but I admire my 72 year god mother. She has acted as the grandmother figure in my life, and taught me so much. She has shown me what independence is, and taught me to strong even in the face of adversity. She has seen me grow firsthand into a young journalist, and encourages me to tell stories with integrity and my whole heart. I have learned so much from her, and one day hope to impact someone the way she has impacted my life. I can truly say that I would not be the young woman I am today without her guidance, and words of encouragement.
