2014 Archive - page 4

by Micah Roberts Destiny Washington is inspired by her uncle’s success as an award-winning television executive producer and director. Rayce Denton won an Emmy producing BET TV reality shows, including College Hill and DMX: Soul of a Man. Washington wants to be as successful as Denton, but as a journalist. The 17-year-old senior at Classen School of Advanced Studies in Oklahoma City wants toattend the University of Southern California. “I want to do some kind of media broadcasting because knowing things interests me,” Washington said. As a high school junior, she participated in The Oklahoman’s Newsroom 101 for student journalists.…

by Chase Bryer Growing up, Lauren Szmutko had a passion for fashion like the main character in her favorite book, “The Devil Wears Prada.” But as Szmutko grew older, she realized she had a passion for journalism. The 15-year-old sophomore at Bartlesville High School is active with the school newspaper, student council, National Honor Society, band, Spanish club and high school leadership club. Her favorite subject is English because it goes hand-in-hand with the art of journalism. Szmutko thinks her age sets her apart at OIDJ. “Coming into OIDJ [as the youngest], I was a little bit nervous at first,”…

 by Maria Chaves Being only 16 years old, Destiny Danay Smith conveys a sincere pop culture ideology and philosophy that can only be summed up in one phrase: “Don’t worry, be happy.” Always one to flash a smile, the warmth that Smith radiates to others is not something taught in a classroom but is learned from years of self-reliance. Born and raised in Oklahoma City, Smith has lived in four houses and has been able to call them all her home. “We usually got sick of the places that we lived in, but moving was always comfortable since I was…

by Richelle Hallows  At the end of the eighth grade, Ronnie Rhodes had to choose between re-joining the high school yearbook staff, where he would lose his title as editor-in-chief, or to leave yearbook behind. “I was pretty timid and shy in middle school, and I just wondered if I could handle going out and interviewing people, but my teacher, my mentor, really inspired me to continue doing yearbook,” he said. Rhodes was born in Lawton, Okla., where he lives with his mom, dad and older sister. He attended Tomlinson Middle School and will be a junior at Lawton High…

by Ashley Cooks When Caitlyn Minton was younger, she wanted to become a mermaid. After discussing that with her parents, she realized that she should turn to her second love — photography. Minton wants to shoot for National Geographic magazine. “I grew up with taking pictures, so becoming a photographer came naturally,” Minton said. Minton, 18, graduated from Kingfisher High School in May. She said she received many scholarships for her interest in agriculture because she was a member of the Future Farmers of America club in school. Minton plans to attend Oklahoma State University this fall and major in…

by Jordan Evans When Dyneisha Kornegay enrolled for her freshman year, she checked the box for yearbook, never imagining herself as a writer. Now entering her senior year, Kornegay describes writing as the crutch that gets her through high school. When the Lawton High School journalism adviser instead enrolled Kornegay in newspaper, Kornegay said she was unsure about the decision. Once the first paper was printed, she realized she genuinely enjoyed writing. Kornegay has been editor of the LHS newspaper, Tatler Vibes, since her sophomore year.  One of the biggest obstacles she admits to facing as editor is acting more…

by Ronnie Rhodes Torn between a passion of photography and science, Richelle Hallows, 17, finds herself at a crossroad as she braces for her senior year at Norman High School. Photography came naturally to Hallows after an artist came to her elementary school to teach students the basics of art. This led to her involvement in additional art classes in middle school. “My art teacher really liked me, so she took me under her wing and let me use all of the special supplies and water color paint,” Hallows said. An interest in art and a drive to capture moments…

by Camila Gonzalez Sometimes teens have trouble becoming adults, but not Teagan Halbrooks. She used to watch the High School Musical movies and played with Bratz dolls. Now a senior at Lawton (Okla.) High School, Halbrooks is raising her 12-year-old sister because their mother is battling a disease. While the 17-year-old drives her sister home from school, the two of them play a game yelling out the names of whatever they see on the road. She does this to remind her sister that they can still have fun even though their mother, Randi Halbrooks, has reflexive sympathetic dystrophy syndrome (RSD).…

by Teagan Halbrooks While in elementary school, Camila Gonzalez faced bullying by a group of boys. Though that experience was hard for Gonzalez, she thinks it shaped her into being strong and sympathetic. Being bullied also helped Gonzalez realize bullying is a problem that needs to be noticed. “They have their own problems. They’re just taking it out on me,” Gonzalez said. After that experience, she became a firm believer in feminism. She believes a girl can do anything a guy can do and sometimes do it better. After watching the movie “Whip It,” her mom realized Camila was interested…