Journalism class and social anxiety are not two things that you would think that would combine. However, Journalism has created a place where I could see people and communicate with people but have the option to leave if need be.

I’ve dealt with a classroom full of kids saying their opinion at once and a class so silent you could hear a pin drop. I’ve interviewed difficult people and students who have gone through personal trials and would rather not talk about it.

Through Journalism I’ve met people with interesting and unique stories. It has made people less intimidating and more human. Through practicing the craft of journalism I’ve learned to be comfortable with people. Interviewing classmates for Humans of the Junior class made me realize many of my fellow classmates and I were going through similar experiences.

My experiences interviewing started first with family, then close friends, teammates, then people who I knew of but didn’t really know. Then it became strangers whom I’d interview, and I’d just be learning names as I interviewed them.

Halfway through my junior year I’ve finally became comfortable with my own skin and the people around me. I’m okay with going out of my own house; I’m not a nervous wreck talking to people.

I’ve often seen people with more powerful and louder voices being louder than the smaller, quieter voices. It’s frustrating at times because it makes you feel like your opinion is invalid. Journalism empowered me to be a tad louder. If I felt like something wrong was going on and I could look at the facts and inform other people of the dangers of it, or, as I’m attempting now, I can create a column.

One of the downsides of being quiet is that your voice can easily be drowned out by those who are louder than you. I’ll always be a quiet person but Journalism has given me my voice. Even though I am not an Emma González captivating millions with her moving post-Parkland speech, I can write a column and make an infographic. I can scream and complain and answer questions in my journalism writing. Through this series of columns I’ll write about news, drama, and events and my opinions on them. I hope you’ll enjoy staying tuned for my new column: “The Poitras Point.” I also hope you discover your voice as well.