Contributed Photo

you're writing a lot and being checked on grammar and how to arrange everything into a document.”

     Williams has been a huge aspect of journalism despite only joining Rampant Lines this past year. He was in broadcasting his first semester and helped partially with photos and graphics. Williams is the leader of photos and graphics this semester and really enjoys it. Even though he loves his job, his favorite objective to do in class is section edits. 

     “Section edits are fun to me because everybody sits around, and we get edits done, but we also talk to each other,” Williams said. “We just like to get on each other about it, and it's just fun to be around.”

     Senior Seth Bright also began journalism with Williams this year, and he has seen significant growth with him, primarily through helping other students. 

     “Ty was very raw with his writing abilities, but he then toned them over time by being active with editing everybody's paper and just making sure everyone was on top of things,” Bright said. 

     Journalism is more than primarily a writing class. The student-led environment often instills respect, responsibility and ownership in the students because they have to collaborate to get the paper out of each issue.

     “Do not take [journalism] if you are not serious about writing or wanting to turn your stuff in on time because you will learn very quickly that not having your assignment accomplished will affect the whole class because the whole class makes the paper; it is not just your paper or your article that matters,” Williams said. “It is learning how to take responsibility for yourself and actions that can affect other people.”

     Beyond stewardship, Williams has acknowledged the influence that this class has had on him academically.

     “If you want to know how to write or be a better writer, I think journalism would be a good class to take, especially for Advanced Placement (AP) classes,” Williams said. “If you plan to take [AP classes], you have to write a lot.”

     He greatly appreciates everything English teacher Ashley Hutchinson has done for him. She really tries to connect with her students and understand each one of them. 

     “Every teacher is supposed to be viewed as a mentor, but it is whether they do a good job at it or not, and I think she did a good job,’’ Williams said. “She was a good teacher and a good person to talk to, and I feel like once you talk to that person, you can really connect with that person on a better level.”

     One thing Williams and Hutchinson have in common is cooking. They often laugh and make jokes about how competitive they are when it comes to cooking. 

     “We talk about cooking a lot and having a little cook-off or something like that,” Williams said. “It is just this little competitive spirit because we both like to bake and cook, so we bond over that.”

     Williams's easygoing personality has built several friendships and long-lasting memories in this class; he is saddened to graduate but knows his next step will be just as fulfilling.  

     “I’ll miss the class and the people, but I feel like it's more about the people in the class; I just love to interact with everybody and make good friendships,” Williams said. “Going into a new place, nobody knows who you are, so you have to make that connection with everybody again, and I feel like it’s going to be fun.”