Angel Delich’s path from SRL to Local 4 News: A journey in journalism

by Yeonseo Seok

Angel Delich’s interest in journalism sparked during her high school years at L’Anse Creuse High School and the Frederick V. Pankow Center, where she first encountered Student Reporting Labs (SRL). Reflecting on those formative experiences, Delich says she initially found joy in the creative process of crafting news packages and telling stories.

As she started working more with SRL, Delich says she began covering more significant social issues, like the COVID-19 pandemic and the Black Lives Matter protests, and opening her eyes to a possible career in journalism.

“I just felt like it was something that I had somewhat of a talent for,” she says. “I enjoyed telling stories, whether it was ones that were going to change the world or ones that were going to change one person’s life and just feel like they were being heard.” 

After graduating from Arizona State University’s Walter Cronkite School of Journalism and Mass Communication in 2023, Delich started her career at Local 4 News in downtown Detroit as an associate producer. She is now a producer on the team and helps with the 4 p.m. newscast, contributing to story selection, scriptwriting, and ensuring a seamless broadcast. Delich says her favorite part of her job is being a part of a station that has been a community staple for decades.

“There’s so many people in Detroit who are like, ‘I’ve watched this [station] for 50 years!’ And, I am putting it on the TV,” Delich says. “Seeing it come to life is really cool.”

Delich recently celebrated her first anniversary at Local 4 News, an achievement that she recalls as being bittersweet.

“When I was in college, dealing with the pandemic, everything was very uncertain, and I was like, ’Am I going to get a job after college?’” Delich says. “ I wish I could have told myself back then that it was all gonna work out okay.”

Delich credits SRL for equipping her with foundational skills that continue to shape her career, such as basic filming and editing skills, and asking the right interview questions. Some of her fondest memories include attending the 2019 SRL Academy in Washington, DC, where she found a community of like-minded peers passionate about journalism.

“You don’t always get to meet people when you’re in high school that are on the same wavelength,” Delich recalls. “Being around people who felt the same way and were passionate about some of the same things was really amazing.”

Looking ahead, Delich encourages aspiring journalists to seize opportunities and remain resilient. 

“Even if you feel like it’s too big or it’s out of reach, just go for it because you never know what might happen,” she advises. “And don’t be too upset if something doesn’t work out, because something better may come along.”