Spiritual prompt: Quote by Joseph Smith: “When persons manifest the least kindness and love to me, O what pow’r it has over my mind. . . . The nearer we get to our heavenly Father, the more are we dispos’d to look with compassion on perishing souls—[we feel that we want] to take them upon our shoulders and cast their sins behind our back . . . if you would have God have mercy on you, have mercy on one another.”

How do you think the quote above relates to news writing?

12/01/2025

I believe this quote suggests that we should take to heart the perspectives and messages others are trying to share. While I am very wary of deceptive or overly persuasive writing and marketing, it is still good to recognize the good intentions behind every piece, even if I disagree with it. I should open my heart and try to find the human emotional connection in what I’m given. But with that openness still comes discernment. I can sympathize and empathize with many viewpoints, while still forming my own opinion and acting according to my conscience. To sum up: take what others say with an open mind, look for the underlying meaning or message, and be respectful of what people put out there for others to read and review.

Professional prompt: In your opinion, what makes something newsworthy versus only sensational?

12/02/2025

Something is newsworthy if it affects a large group of people. Sensational content tends to be more pop-culture-based and enjoyable to discuss, although it can occasionally overlap with newsworthiness. When I think of something newsworthy, I think of events that change people’s lives. News about school shootings, for example, affects entire communities and contributes to conversations about safety and violence in the United States. That is newsworthy.

AI is both newsworthy and sensational. People are excited about its capabilities, making it feel shiny and new, but it also changes productivity, job security, and how people interact with and evaluate information. A purely sensational topic would be something like the Superman movie released this summer. It created hype and sparked shifts in pop culture, especially within the DC fandom, but it hasn’t had a significant impact on people or policies on a larger scale. So while it is entertaining, I view it as sensational only.

Professional prompt: What impact has interviewing had on you?

12/03/2025

Interviewing has helped me realize that people see things very differently than I do, and something I think should be a “bigger deal” may not matter as much to someone else, and that’s okay. When I interviewed my friend who uses a GLP-1 drug, I expected her to be upset about the casual cosmetic use of it in Hollywood. Instead, she had a much more relaxed concern than I anticipated. I had to retrain myself not to sway my interviewee toward the answers I wanted or share my expectations. I needed to step back and let my friends answer freely without my influence. My pieces came out differently than I initially expected, and honestly, they ended up more positive and better overall.

Student’s choice: Should we always strive to live up to the expectations of others?

12/04/2025

I feel like this is a loaded question that doesn’t have one clear answer. There are certain expectations we should strive to meet, such as the expectations of work or school that enable us to earn a living or graduate. Those are societal expectations I find reasonable and even good. But the pressure to do more than what is required becomes a gray area. Of course, we should strive to be the best we can be, but burnout and unmet expectations can happen in that same space.

I had a friend growing up whose parents made her do short sprints every week so she could become an elite athlete. I watched her cry during her runs, push herself to the point of almost puking, and all the while her parents yelled at her to run faster, finish strong, and do her best. I find that unbelievably toxic. I’m grateful my parents didn’t pressure me that intensely, though I do think I would have benefited from a little more encouragement to push myself when I was younger.

It’s all about balance. We should meet expectations that are reasonable and accepted as healthy societal norms, but extreme pressure that pushes us past our limits is where the danger lies. That’s why I get nervous answering the base question; it really depends on the type of expectations and the impact they have on a person.

Student’s choice: Is it appropriate to ever ridicule others for their differences from you?