EJ JACOBS
Life & Arts Editor
Dyslexia, by definition, is depicted by the Mayo Clinic as “A learning disorder that involves difficulty reading due to problems identifying speech sounds and learning how they relate to letters and words (Decoding).”
In the journalism field, it is hard to admit to your peers that you have something that makes your job harder than it might be for someone else.
In 2012, when I was in fifth grade, my parents could tell that I just wasn’t keeping up with everyone else when it came to reading and writing. This was very apparent to me as well. I could see that students were reading books that I could only dream of. After various tests, we discovered that I am dyslexic.
It was a relief to find out that I was dyslexic. This was because I could finally get the help I needed. Fast forward, I got the proper school help I needed and was able to read and write like my peers by the time I was done with high school.
One of my fears when I was thinking about joining The Leader was that everyone would be smarter than me and I would not even be able to join.
I was scared that everyone would be able to tell that I couldn’t keep up. I was scared that I wouldn’t be able to succeed in my role. I was scared that I would not be as skilled as my counterparts in both writing and editing. After I wrote my first article, I was a ball of anxiety. I thought that the editors at the time would rip it apart. I thought every word I wrote was the wrong one.
A few hours later, I opened the document I had handed in, fearing what might be awaiting me. But to my surprise, all the comments were really constructive and nice, and most of the article stayed true to what I had originally written.
Then I was a writer for a while and eventually became a Staff Writer, then the assistant to the Life & Arts Editor and then this whole school year, I was the Life & Arts Editor.
While the Life & Arts Editor, I was also treasurer for FREDGrows, president of Hillel and 2024 Senior Class president.
When reflecting on my time at The Leader, I think about how I found a place on campus to call home base.
The Leader helped me grow my teamwork skills by having to put a paper together with a lot of moving parts. I was also able to improve my writing and editing skills.
During my time at The Leader, I have learned that everyone has their own set of skills. Even in areas you might not be great in, there are people who excel.
Thank you to everyone who has gotten me to this point and supported me the whole way. I would like to thank The Leader for completely changing the trajectory of my life.
Not only has this paper helped me grow as a writer, but it has also helped me grow in many other aspects of my life. The friends I made and the experiences I have had are ones I will never forget.
Stay Groovy!
-EJ