Lilly Barr is part of her school’s newsroom, where she works in many roles. She writes, edits, takes photos, and helps with design. She said she chose journalism to “let the world know about our little town.” Over time, it has become a place where she can practice her skills and try different parts of reporting.

One assignment she remembers was about a trip she took. “It helped me push myself creatively,” Barr said. She has also worked on improving her writing. “I can make my articles longer with stronger vocabulary,” she said. Friends describe her as “insane, standoffish, and calculated,” which shows in the way she focuses on her work and handles tasks.

Outside of school, Barr likes listening to music, which she says “helps calm me down.” A personal experience that has shaped her perspective is the death of her father. She said this has affected the way she sees the world and the stories she chooses to tell.

Barr said the hardest part of her work is taking good photos, but she stays motivated by deadlines and finishing her projects. She believes a good journalist needs to be aware, know a lot about the topic, and be able to talk to people.

Looking ahead, Barr wants to use her journalism skills in the future, especially in college. Her advice for students new to journalism is simple: “Take good quotes.”

Through her work in the newsroom, Barr has learned to do many things at once and handle different tasks. She has improved her writing and her overall skills, while also using what she has learned from her experiences outside of school. Her work shows that she can stay focused, meet deadlines, and keep learning.