While Maya Tewari has not been involved in KDGN or the Carroll yearbook staff for her entire high school career, her dedication and hunger to learn earned her a leadership position on both student-led teams. While she has aspirations to pursue mechanical engineering after graduation, Maya says she feels called to journalism because of its blank slate nature.
“I love that process of being able to start from nothing, and then I have to build it up and work on it,” Maya says.
It’s that ability to understand how to develop an angle, for print publication or broadcast, that got her noticed by her advisers.
“She has a great eye for what makes a good story,” digital media teacher and KDGN adviser Jennifer Randall says.
Yearbook adviser Natalie Brown also sees that determination, which is why she was awarded an editor position going into her senior year.
“It’s hard to think about Maya and not smile,” Natalie says. “Her commitment and drive is pretty rare out of somebody at that young age.”
While Maya has proven her own skills, Jennifer has also seen Maya teach her classmates, ensuring everyone is getting the most out of the educational experience.
“She spent time learning more about editing and her craft and then she would pass that immediately on,” Jennifer says. “She was never selfish with her time or her skills. She does such a great job at making people excited about journalism.”
While Maya is eager about the potential storytelling possibilities the future brings, whether it be bringing more world news coverage into KDGN or finding new ways to talk about COVID-19’s effects, she’s most looking forward to working alongside her friends again.
“I want to go back to being a part of that family,” Maya says.