I don’t like sports. Besides dabbling in swim for a few years in elementary school, athletics was never a passion I sought to pursue.
So, imagine my surprise when I saw my name printed right next to the title “Sports editor” on The Accolade staff list at the end of my sophomore year. Not only had I put “Feature editor” as my first choice when applying, but I didn’t even list Sports as an option.
Despite this shocking and — quite frankly — disappointing result, managing the Sports section was simultaneously the most memorable and challenging era in my high school career that shaped who I am today.
I remember the countless hours I spent looking up what a kill is in volleyball, the difference between league and CIF and how many yards are in a football field (120!).
Landing in arguably the hardest section fresh out of Journalism 1 forced me to hone my journalistic skills alongside my leadership quickly. I pushed through my disinterest in sports, reviving live game updates on X, pumping out one sports preview after another alongside my co-Sports editor and close friend Angelina Jeong.
Moreover, writing and editing for a difficult section I initially disliked so much nurtured my willpower and, subsequently, the perseverance to make it through other unexpected hurdles life throws.
Still, most importantly, my time as a co-Sports editor made me rediscover my love for journalism and my hope to spread my passion to others; this revelation evoked me to apply for managing editor in my junior year.
Because I was only on staff for a year by then, I had no high hopes in receiving this position; so, when I spotted my name once again on that bright yellow sheet taped in front of Room 138 — instead this time next to the position I actually hoped for — I was overwhelmed with feelings of excitement and determination to make the most out of being a top editor.
Fast forward a year, after helping take charge of The Accolade’s print issues, continuing to write stories I’m passionate about and helping staff with their own articles or layouts, I’ve realized that, although I have no plans of majoring in journalism, this part of my life isn’t something I’m willing to give up.
As my last year in high school comes to a close and I inevitably move across the country to study psychology at Harvard College, I hope to write for the Harvard Crimson, keeping my journalist half close to my heart.
You may be asking yourself if I possess a burning love of sports now. After all, that’s how this all started. The answer to that is no, but I do still hold a love for reporting — no matter what the field, just as long as it’s not a football one.
