PORTSMOUTH, Va. (WAVY) — Aug. 1 marked the last day of my WAVY summer internship. Geez. Where do I even begin?

Our internship advisor, Stephanie Cooke, told us on day one: “Time goes by fast, so take advantage of every moment.” Stephanie absolutely cooked with that one. It feels like I just walked through the doors yesterday—yet somehow, more than two months have flown by. Insane.

But maybe the better question isn’t where to begin—it’s when. Because this internship didn’t just teach me skills or fill my résumé. It marked the beginning of something deeper: the start of truly understanding my path in journalism. I’ve never been more confident in the calling God placed over my life. The puzzle pieces have finally started to fit.

I remember applying for the Virginia Association of Broadcasters summer internship program. It was on a whim because I don’t stay in Virginia. I go to school in Hampton, so I only live in the state during the school year. I used my uncle’s fiancée’s mother’s address to confirm I had residency in Virginia, even though I knew deep down I had nowhere to stay. But God had a plan I couldn’t see yet.

When I was accepted into VAB’s program to intern at WAVY for the summer, I couldn’t believe it. Me? A sophomore college student from Arizona is interning at WAVY 10? I wasn’t familiar with many news stations in the 757, but everyone knows how big WAVY is. I’m so grateful that Bob saw something in me and offered me a spot. Our two-hour interview was part conversation, part me bombarding him with long-winded questions. From that first call, I knew Bob was amazing — and that I’d learn so much here.

The biggest lesson WAVY taught me? My heart is in reporting. Before this internship, I wasn’t sure if I wanted to be behind the scenes as a producer or on camera as a reporter. But now I know I love being in the field. I love talking to people, listening to their stories and finding creative, ethical ways to tell them. I still have deep respect for the producers — what they do is no joke — but I know I’m meant to report.


Now, I can see myself becoming an MMJ reporter after graduation — and it was all thanks to WAVY and the amazing reporters I was able to shadow.

To everyone at WAVY: thank you. From the sales team to engineering, every department welcomed us with open arms and took the time to teach us about their roles. Your kindness and willingness to share your knowledge made this internship unforgettable. You helped me see just how many paths there are in this industry — and that I could thrive in so many of them.

I also discovered a love for crime/investigative reporting. Thank you to Andy and Brett for allowing me to shadow you in the courts. Thank you to Regina, Ethan and Keagan; you taught me how to ask questions with empathy and care as I shadowed you guys during stories that involved victims or families of victims. And thanks to Aesia for allowing me to shadow you during your investigative podcast — you opened my eyes to the importance of breaking down court cases to advocate for victims and educate communities on the unfortunate cases in their area. I even got the chance to visit an attorney’s office in the Hampton Roads area and break down a case myself — an experience that confirmed my passion even more.

So yes, today is bittersweet. But more than anything, I’m walking away excited — excited to grow, to learn and to keep becoming the journalist I’m meant to be.