Not to be dramatic, but The Echo changed my life.

I grew up working at my family’s business, The Original ScoopDog, a frozen custard and hot dog stand nestled in North Little Rock. Having an unconventional childhood with a decade of experience dealing with difficult customers and sharing the same job as my four older siblings shaped my career with The Echo in more ways than one.

Working for a college newspaper is weirdly similar to working for a family business; my editors and I even bicker at each other like siblings. 

Both environments taught me how to juggle chaos, collaborate under pressure and find solutions in unexpected places.

Just like in a family, the whole operation suffers if someone doesn’t do their part for the paper.

My love for writing began in the sixth grade when I buried my nose in BuzzFeed articles every day after school, convinced the peak of journalism was celebrity gossip columns and “What type of cookie are you?” quizzes. 

At ScoopDog, I regularly re-read a LIFE magazine article about Elvis Presley plastered on the walk-up window, mesmerized by how the writer described the king of rock’s decline in a way that was both compelling and honest. 

I promised myself to one day write like that — to inform and to captivate.

Inevitably, I joined my high school’s newspaper and made the corny personality tests of my dreams since there wasn’t much else to write about without the freedom of the press.

When I joined The Echo in the fall of 2022, I intended to stick to lighthearted food and movie reviews.

At first, I shied away from more challenging stories because I didn’t feel brave enough, but sometimes, being brave just means using what you already know.

Even though taking an order and preparing a hot dog or a sundae is wildly different from interviewing a source and writing an article, they share two common denominators: generosity and asking the right questions.

In the food service industry, showing hospitality to everyone is paramount, even when you can tell a customer wants nothing to do with you. 

Similarly, journalists must handle interviewees respectfully, even when they are uncooperative or skeptical of the press.

In both fields, attention to detail is critical. 

You ask small, precise questions to ensure a customer’s order is correct, regardless of the eye rolls or sighs. 

Conducting an interview isn’t much different — every follow-up question matters in creating a clear, complete story. 

Don’t get me started on the hyper-specific rules of writing in AP style, sort of like the random nuances of blending a frozen custard concrete.

Thanks to a staff that feels like family, no article has ever felt too scary. 

Thanks to my biological family for teaching me to treat everyone like family.

I progressed from feeling the most comfortable reviewing chicken sandwiches to pursuing stories about human trafficking, fake IDs, drugs and protests. 

I discovered the value of reporting on local news and connecting with members of the Conway community.

Maybe ice cream almost always makes someone happy, and an article doesn’t. However, both can leave a lasting impact. 

Whether through a scoop of custard or a well-reported piece, I’ve learned how to tap into my unrealized potential, one question at a time.