Murdock scholarship winner Alyssa Johnson furthers her talent through journalism
Alyssa Johnson won the 2012 Murdock scholarship for an incoming freshman studying journalism. She may look like any other college student, but she says life threw her a few twists
and turns that helped shape who she is today.
For example, her older sister’s developmental problems have matured Alyssa beyond her years. Now, Johnson is a journalism major in the ESC, just starting to get a feel for the college routine.
Alyssa started taking pictures with her parents’ equipment and ended up working on her high school yearbook staff. “I blinked and was in love with journalism,” Alyssa explained.
She began freelancing for the Lyons Daily News in high school. After graduation, she interned over the summer for Vype Magazine and now she’s on the staff of the Sunflower.
So far, Johnson said she feels great about her college choice. “The teaching staff is wonderful,” Johnson said. “They truly care about each student in their classes.”
For students trying to pick an emphasis area, Alyssa has this advice: Everything links
together.
She has a dream of being a sports photographer, but she’s a print major. “I know
the better-rounded I make myself, the better off in the real world I will be.”
Thankful for the Murdock scholarship, Johnson recognizes what a benefit it’s given her. She was able to work with ESC faculty early on and they helped her get a feel for classes and build her schedule. “So many things in my life have made me the free spirit I am today,” Johnson said. “I discover new talents, like photography, and push to turn them into something tangible.”
She looks for leadership opportunities, constantly questions the status quo and craves creativity. Johnson joined the Sunflower staff and said she looks forward to helping that publication grow.