Cassidy Klock
Q: How did your passion for journalism begin?
A: I wrote a lot when I was a child. I was always writing fairy tales or things of that nature. So, I’ve always had a natural passion for writing. However, in high school, there wasn’t necessarily a class that would be good for what I wanted to write. Journalism was my best option at the time, and I’ve grown to love it.
Q: Is there something valuable you’ve learned from journalism that you might not have learned anywhere else?
A: I have learned a lot about leadership skills here. Obviously, with being editor in chief, I have learned how to talk to people. I’ve also learned how to decipher between what is real news and what is fake news, which, especially in today’s media, is a really important skill.
Q: Where were you when you began journalism compared to where you are now? What has changed about you the most?
A: Going back to my old stories from Livewire is honestly embarrassing to look at. Ninth grade me had no idea what people wanted to read, so I would write about anything. My first story was about the seventh graders being on a block schedule, and no one wanted to read that. Now, I’m writing about twins who are going to ivy league schools and former student’s who are changing the world. So, I became a better reporter in the sense of knowing what people wanted to read.
Q: Were there moments where you felt like giving up your position because you felt like you couldn’t handle it?
A: Absolutely. In fact, the day before I got an email from Mrs. Vanish saying that she wanted me in an editor’s position, I wanted to quit. There’s been some rough times and a lot of having to deal with people’s ‘dirty work,’ because sometimes work doesn’t get done. However, being in an editor’s position is something that I’ve learned to do and continued to stick with for four years.
Q: What are the relationships like that you’ve formed throughout the years?
A: I’ve met my “bestest” friends in journalism, not even just newspaper but yearbook as well. I’ve met Addisen McDonald, who has been a person who’s been there for me a lot of the time. Rylie Keagy is the same way. My friend Makenzie Closson, who I’m excited about taking my position next year because she’s going to do great, has formed a great bond with me, and we are really similar. And then, my best friend in the entire world, Destiny Montgomery, was editor in chief last year and she was someone who has always been there for me through rough times in my life.
Q: What are your plans after high school?
A: I plan to go to Duquesne University as a nursing major. I plan to work in labor and delivery. I also plan to work in a women’s health clinic to help women with things like postpartum depression, rough pregnancies or unwanted pregnancies. I want to be able to give a woman an outlet to know she is safe wherever she is and that she will always have someone to hold their hand through things only she could experience.