Opinion 
Being Involved Pays Off
By Rebeka Silva
 Rebeka Silva |
At Coral Springs High School in Broward County, I was an average student. My grades were decent, but I never really excelled at anything.
I always had a passion for writing and informing my peers but never made the right choices that enabled me to follow that path.
I was part of the Coral Springs high school yearbook staff, serving as the student life editor but I never did anything that went above or beyond my responsibilities.
My attitude changed during my first semester at Miami Dade College’s North Campus.
Why?
Because I realized I was not satisfied with being an average student. I had never excelled at anything because I had not wanted to not because I was not capable.
Why get a B if I can get an A? Why not join a student organization if it will better the skills I need polished. It was this push that made my efforts worth while.
Before I knew it, I was writing for The Falcon Times, the award-winning student newspaper at MDC’s North Campus.
My first story was a small piece on the raising of the flag, an event that happens every morning at MDC; I will never forget it.
Not only was it small, but when I gave it to my editor, Laura C. Morel, it got critiqued big time.
All of Laura’s advice was constructive and it happened so often that I would joke with her about how she only spoke to me to bash my stories.
In high school, I had always loved the fact that I was the editor for the student life section. It allowed me an outlet to express moments that had an impact on the student body. I was once again given a chance to do that with The Falcon Times.
Shortly after joining, I became the advertising manager. It wasn’t a glamorous position but it allowed an opportunity to grow within the newspaper.
Soon, I began writing bigger stories and my writing skills improved. Three of my stories landed on the front page.
Then I was chosen to join a group of staffers, consisting mostly of section editors, at a national journalism convention this past March in New York City. My experience at the convention inspired me to run for Falcon Times editor- in- chief for the 2009-10 school year.
This past May a five-person committee, comprised mostly of past or current working journalists, selected me among three candidates as Falcon Times editor-in-chief.
It’s a task of great responsibility that I will handle with equal responsibility. I have a chance to inform students at the North Campus about the issues that affect them.
I have learned a lot this past year; I look forward to continuing to grow as a writer, leader and as a person. I have found my calling.
I wish you the best and urge you to get involved as you blaze a path toward your future.