A chance to expand her voice
By Anthony Council
Blaire Taylor is a passionate young poet and aspiring writer whose creative soul is shaped by nature, deep emotion, and a love for language. Blaire is a senior at Ursuline Academy of Dallas, known for her vibrant spirit and a mind full of stories. She discovered her passion for poetry during a classroom unit in her freshman year and hasn’t stopped writing since. “I wrote one poem, and I was like,I love this.’” she says. From that moment, writing became more than a hobby it became a part of who she is.
Her work often begins with the simplicity of the natural world but unfolds into reflections on memory, longing, and identity. She’s unafraid to write with raw honesty, often using the elegance of the French language to express her most intense emotions. “It’s ironic to hear something painful hidden in something so beautiful,” she says, describing her use of French to express rage and vulnerability.
Blending her love for reading, theater, and leadership, Blaire is driven not just by personal expression but by a desire to create meaningful connections. The youngest of three siblings, she embraces her identity as the family’s artist, writing because she feels compelled to do so. Her words are not just a craft; they are a calling. As Blaire puts it, “I kind of like to call it a spirit that’s within me. I’m just the holder of the poetry. It’s the one that’s doing the work.”
She loves to read, go outside, and is a big fan of the Percy Jackson series. At one point, she wanted to be a gardener or a baker, but writing is the one thing that stuck. For her, there’s no greater joy than the pen and the freedom to express what lives within her heart. With every poem and story, she continues to discover new parts of herself and the world around her, one word at a time.
Now contributing to Texas Metro News as an intern, Blaire sees journalism as a chance to expand her voice and explore new perspectives. She is currently exploring colleges such as the University of the South, Pepperdine, and the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.
Whether she’s helping freshmen feel seen or directing plays on campus, Blaire continues to grow as a creative leader, one with the heart of a storyteller and the courage to share it.
Anthony Council is a journalist and recent graduate of the University of North Texas.
Journalism leads to success
By Sulwa Siraj
Sometimes, trusting your gut can change everything.
This sentiment rings true for Anika Shah, rising senior at The Hockaday School in Dallas and summer intern working for Texas Metro News. The moment came the summer before her freshman year, when Shah chose to enroll in her school’s intro to journalism class instead of joining debate at her mother’s request, a choice she now calls “the best decision of my life.”
That decision has led her to becoming the Multimedia Editor-in-Chief of The Fourcast, Hockaday’s student newspaper, and the writer of her own alumni feature column.
Shah’s passion for journalism lies in telling stories that dig deeper than the surface.
“Getting to know people on a deeper level and going into who they are as a person rather than just covering news…has really stood out to me and made me love writing features” Shah said.
Even in her position as News Editor last year, she found herself drawn to writing stories that explored student well-being and experiences that are often underrepresented. Reflecting on her work, Shah said “interviewing others like me and finding that sense of community and shared experiences really resonated with me.”
Her curiosity also extends globally. As a second-generation Indian immigrant, Anika’s heritage has sparked an interest in global politics and led her to “challenge the idea that America is the only lens through which to see the world.”
She plans on continuing this journey by double majoring in international relations and journalism in college, while also continuing to play golf. Balancing athletics with student journalism isn’t always easy but for Shah they complement each other well.
“One challenges me physically, and the other lets me express myself,” she said.
For Shah, journalism is more than just a skill to hone but a means for connection and advocacy.
“It’s something I really love, especially getting to tell stories that matter.”
Sulwa Siraj is an intern working for Texas Metro News through the Scripps Howard Fund Emerging Journalist Program at UNT. She is a rising senior at North Garland High School. She enjoys reading, listening to music, and studying psychology.
Designing A Path of her Own
By Seven Jamison
Sulwa Siraj didn’t set out to be a journalist. By design, verse and narrative, she’s carved out a path of her own; one of empathy, expression, and of purpose.
A senior at North Garland High School and in the top 10 percent of her class, Siraj is the Marauder Yearbook’s design editor. She’s leading the charge on an edgy redesign inspired by high-end publications.
“I don’t want to touch too deeply on the theme for this upcoming yearbook just yet but it will be heavily magazine inspired, think Vogue or Time,” said Siraj. “For me and the editing team, that looks like a lot of sleek, sort of minimal spreads that emphasize interesting typography and good quality photos.”
She joined the yearbook staff because of her older sister’s former yearbook editors at North Garland High School. With her understanding from her sister’s past even Siraj found purpose in the process.
“It felt like I was joining a legacy in a way, ” she said. “I found the process of producing and creating a yearbook as well as the teamwork involved so rewarding.”
This summer Siraj is working at Texas Metro News where she’s learning industry skills in reporting, photojournalism and podcasting from other student reporters, but she’s undecided about her career path.:
“I’m still unsure of whether I want to pursue journalism professionally as I’m leaning toward a career in the mental health and counseling field. But it would be interesting to see if I could merge the two,” said Siraj.
A published poet, Siraj started writing during the pandemic as a way to deal with isolation.
“It was at first a very private, vulnerable thing for me that I didn’t share with anyone,” said Siraj. “Poetry gives me the freedom to express myself in a way that isn’t tied down to any kind of expectation. The only requirement is being completely authentic.”
In design as in poetry Siraj is not just telling stories—she’s making space for others to be seen.
Seven Jamison is an intern at Texas Metro News through UNT’s Emerging Journalists Program. He enjoys writing about politics and culture.
In fast-paced newsroom
By Anika Shah
At Texas Metro News, deadlines come fast and stories move faster. Rising Coppell High School senior Destiny Kombe-Kajue is spending her summer in this demanding environment as an intern, honing her journalism skills through the Scripps Howard Emerging Journalists Program at the University of North Texas, which connects students with professional newsrooms.
Kombe-Kajue said the experience is helping her grow in unexpected ways. She hopes to improve her investigative reporting and build connections that will benefit her no matter what path she takes.
“I’m hoping to get better at investigative journalism, and I’m also hoping to get connections through this internship that will help me through my career no matter what I do,” Kombe-Kajue said.
Working in a fast-paced newsroom, Kombe-Kajue quickly learned how to adapt to tight deadlines and develop a sharper focus.
“With how fast and how quick your deadline usually comes up, people work very quickly and very fast on the topics they’re working on to ensure that it’s out before it’s old,” she said.
One standout moment to Kombe-Kajue was interviewing newly elected Council Member Lorie Blair.
“It was exciting because I got to interview her, and that was probably the highest-up I had interviewed at that point,” she said.
Beyond journalism skills, Kombe-Kajue said the internship is helping her build confidence and improve her communication. She has become more comfortable introducing herself professionally and networking.
“I’ve gotten better at saying all of my information when talking to a person instead of just saying, ‘Hi, my name is Destiny,’” Kombe-Kajue said.
She plans to study musical theater and biology in college and hopes to end up on Broadway. While she does not want to pursue journalism, Kombe-Kajue believes journalism is helping her in unexpected ways.
“Interviewing people helps me get out of my shell,” she said, adding that interviewing helps her through auditions or performing on stage.”
Anika Shah is a rising senior at The Hockaday School and is excited to intern at Texas Metro News through the UNT Scripps Howard Program this summer. She loves playing golf, drinking iced lattes, and spending time with her friends. When not writing for Texas Metro News, you can find her curating her Spotify, reading, or on the golf course.
Builds Confidence, Creativity
By Anika Shah
Ursuline Academy rising senior Ella Allen is spending her summer as an intern at Texas Metro News, where she is sharpening her writing skills and exploring journalism.
“I am hoping to gain valuable journalism experience and get to know the field better, all while figuring out if journalism is something that I want to pursue,” Allen said.
Since starting the internship, Allen has embraced the challenge of working under quick deadlines and is learning to write with more clarity and confidence.
“I want to become a better writer and become more adaptable and comfortable with fast-paced deadlines,” she explained.
One of Allen’s favorite stories so far focused on political messages in music.
“It was the first thing I wrote here, and it was great because I could intertwine two of my passions, and I wasn’t being confined creatively,” she said.
Allen said she has enjoyed the culture of the newsroom and the opportunity to connect with fellow interns.
“The amount of freedom I’ve had has pleasantly surprised me,” she said. “I also didn’t know there were other interns, and I’ve enjoyed that because we can bounce ideas off each other and collaborate.”
The experience has helped her grow both personally and professionally.
“So far, this experience has made me more passionate about journalism,” she said. “I’m a creative and outgoing person who enjoys conversation and resonating with an audience, and I think I am cut out well for a job in the field.”
Outside of the internship, Allen is involved in Mock Trial, Model UN, and track. She works as a hostess, writes for her school newspaper, plays guitar, sews and sells clothes, and enjoys discovering new music and thrift shopping.
Anika Shah is a rising senior at The Hockaday School and is excited to intern at Texas Metro News through the UNT Scripps Howard Program this summer. She loves playing golf, drinking iced lattes, and spending time with her friends. When not writing for Texas Metro News, you can find her curating her Spotify, reading, or on the golf course.
Stories That Matter
By Destiny Kombe-Kajue
As COVID-19 hit, distractions caught most students off guard, but Seven Jamison found purpose.
“I had nothing better to do than just to read and learn about the world through the news,” he says. “I was addicted to politics and I am to this day. It’s a circus, but I want to be part of it. I want to be the one telling the story, teaching people, and making it happen.”
That same energy has taken Jamison from middle school debate team and GeoPlunge competitions to internships and non-profit involvement (you may find a better word based on your conversation). Now he’s a student reporter, political communicator, and civic education non-profit founder.
With Texas Metro News, an African American-owned newspaper, Jamison reports on political and economic matters that impact the community.
“I report on city council meetings, income inequality, and shining a spotlight on individuals whose stories aren’t told enough,” said Jamison.
His passion for informing others also led to the creation of AU FIAT, a nonprofit dedicated to political education and civic engagement for Gen Z.
“A lot of people see politics online but don’t understand it,” Jamison said. “We’re registering people to vote and helping them see why politics matter.”
Jamison also wrote a climate narrative with PBS NewsHour’s Student Reporting Labs; learning how to make room for local skepticism around climate change while still being fact-based. The assignment helped them develop reporting, writing, and video editing skills.
“It taught me how to compromise and yet tell the truth. That’s what journalism is about.”
Seven’s journey began in yearbook where he developed a keen eye on attention to detail, a skill that was able to seamlessly transition into his role of photography and social media management for Amir Omar’s mayoral campaign.
“He (Omar) was very deliberate about his image, and I learned to work harder and think more strategically.”
For every project, Jamison’s purpose is always evident: transparency, storytelling, and facilitating others to get the big picture.
“We don’t always get the full truth. So why not be the one who helps report it?”
Destiny Kombe-Kajue is an intern working for Texas Metro News through the Scripps Howard Foundation Emerging Journalist Program at the University of North Texas. In her free time she enjoys going to the movies and studying biology.
