A rising star: McQueen High School's journalist, Larisa Ellis
by Zhizhong Li, Outpost staff
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Larisa is happy about the first title of features she won in the Nevada High School Journalism Competion 2000. Photo by Erica Grimaldo |
At the award ceremony of the Nevada High School Journalism Contest 2000, sponsored by the University of Nevada journalism school, many people noticed a quiet girl who won first place in features.
She is Larisa Ellis.
As a 15-year-old first-year student at McQueen High School, she does not look different from her classmates. With her freshman status, it is difficult to believe she could work as a section editor of the school's newspaper and win the award. Her classmates and teachers said her success in the competition is rare for a high school freshman.
"First we were be able to worry about having a freshman being a section editor, but we really didn't have other choices cause we were short of staff," said Abigail Terrobias, the editor-in-chief of the McQueen High School newspaper. "It's really glad we did cause obviously it's paid off."
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Larisa spent much of her time in the news room. Photo by Erica Grimaldo |
"She really wants to do a good job," Larisa's journalism advisor, Candy Carter, said. "She is very motivated to do the best she can.
"And one of the ways you can tell that is she was made an section editor with another student early on in the year, which is especially unusual for a freshman."
Candy said freshmen do not usually have that kind of leadership, but Larisa could be telling the seniors what to do.
In the journalism class, Larisa works as the editor of the section called "View Points." She thinks her achievements in class are the result of her dedication to her job.
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Larisa was taking notes in the freshman honors English class. Photo by Erica Grimaldo |
"Basically if you are in this class, especially as an section editor, you have to be motivated to get things done," she said. "We have the layouts that we do on the computers. It takes like three hours sometimes."
Unlike most high school freshmen, Larisa always wants to learn more. She takes several classes about science and mathematics. At the same time, she also takes the freshman honors English class.
Larisa said the honors English class was important for her future career. In the class, she takes notes frequently, and she always volunteers to answer questions.
"As a career, I want to be a reporter," she said.
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Larisa was locking her locker before she ran to her freshman honors English class. Photo by Erica Grimaldo |
"My wife and I both work in education area," Larisa's father, Larry Ellis, said. "We've been expecting this for a long time, and she starts shining.
"We hope she can work well in broadcasting area."
Larisa does not think the apathy from the society to journalists is a barrier for her to work in journalism field.
"It is their job to do that," she said. "Whether people like it or not, you know, it is their job."
After school, Larisa spends her free time with an organization called the "International Order of the Rainbow for Girls," which is a youth group for girls between 11 and 20. The girls in this organization learn about charity through the local or national service projects.
"We go to meetings twice a month, and we go to hospitals," she said.
"I like it a lot. It is a good thing because I can have friends from other schools."
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On the Web International Order of the Rainbow for Girls
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Posted March 29, 2000
Copyright 2000 Nevada Outpost
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