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Hi, I'm Gracie!

 

I was seven years old when I won my first award for writing.

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Granted, it was an award from my teacher, Mrs. Rubio, who called it the “Ruberry Award,” and it was for a 24-page story inspired by Where the Wild Things Are; but it’s the concept that counts. 

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I was never an athlete— much to my family's dismay. I tried volleyball and soccer and horseback-riding and everything in between, but nothing seemed to click. That is, until my freshman year of high school, when I took my very first steps into the Fenton InPrint classroom.

 

For the first time in my life, I had my volleyball team. My Editors-In-Chief were my passers; my writers my setters; the ball my work; 5-109 my court and the opposing team my audience. I learned that this was a game that I could play professionally. 

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This first taste was not enough; I needed more. And so I interned at our local paper. And attended a summer journalism camp. And another. I went to a single-day seminar. And a few more. I traveled to New York City for the Columbia Scholastic Press Association— twice. I started a journalism club for middle schoolers so that I could share its beauty with the rising generation. I was accepted to Emerson College in Boston as a journalism major. I applied, and was hired, at professional papers. I had an obsession with journalism that everyone laughed at, but I didn’t care. I found my niche in a newsroom instead of on a field, and no one had to validate it. 

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In my short four years in the journalistic field, I’ve come a long way, but I know that I have so much further to go. I can’t imagine a period of time long enough to spend writing, but I’ll start with a lifetime and see where it goes.

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Gracie Warda

Digital Media Journalist

 

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Extended Resume

Work Experience

Fenton InPrint

Writer, 2016-2017

Online Editor, 2017-2018

Assistant Online Editor in Chief, 2018-2019

Online Editor in Chief, 2019-Present

Michigan Times

Writer, 2020-Present

Tri-County Times

Intern, 2017-2019

Leo's Coney Island

Server, 2018-Present

Education

Fenton High School (3.91 Cumulative GPA)

Freshman, 3.60 GPA

Sophomore, 3.82 GPA

Junior, 4.19 GPA

Senior, 4.25 GPA (first semester) 

University of Michigan-Flint (Dual Enrolled)

Freshman Standing, 4.0 GPA

Participation Awards

MIPA Summer Journalism Workshop (2017) 

MIPA Summer Journalism Workshop (2018) 

MIPA Summer Journalism Workshop (2019) 

Fenton InPrint Staff Member (2016-2017) 

Fenton InPrint Staff Member (2017-2018)

Fenton InPrint Staff Member (2018-2019)

AP Government (2018-2019)

IB Literature (2018-2019) 

National Honor Society (2018-2019) 

Personal Awards

Merit Awards

Journalism Honor Roll (2019, national recognition) 

MIPA Honorable Mention - News Analysis (2018, state recognition) 

MIPA Honorable Mention - Sports News (2018, state recognition) 

MIPA Summer Workshop Sparty (2018, state recognition) 

MIPA Summer Workshop Sparty (2017, state recognition) 

MIPA Summer Workshop Excellence Award (2019, state recognition) 

Academic Letter (2019, school recognition) 

Academic Letter (2018, school recognition) 

National Honor Society Induction (2018, school recognition)

Activities

Michigan Interscholastic Press Association 

Spring Conference Attendee, 2017, 2018, 2019

Fall Conference Attendee, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019

Summer Workshop Attendee, 2017, 2018, 2019

Junior Journalism

Student Adviser, 2017-2018

National Honor Society

Member, 2018-2019

Treasurer, 2019-Present

Columbia Scholastic Press Association

Spring Conference Attendee, 2017, 2019

The Warda Foundation

Secretary, 2016-Present

University of Michigan - Flint Debate Team

Member, 2019-Present

Skills

Proficiency in Google Apps Productivity Suite, Microsoft Office, Adobe Creative Suite, App Inventor, Visual Basic and iMovie. 

Leadership and taking initiative

Organization and Planning

Public speaking

InPrint Staff Awards

Spartan Award for Fenton InPrint Online from MIPA (2016-2017, state recognition) 

Spartan Award for Fenton InPrint Print from MIPA (2016-2017, state recognition) 

Spartan Award for Fenton InPrint Online from MIPA (2018-2019, state recognition)

​Silver Crown Award for Fenton InPrint Hybrid from CSPA (2016-2017, national recognition)  

Silver Crown Award for Fenton InPrint Hybrid from CSPA (2017-2018, national recognition)  

Gold Crown Award for Fenton InPrint Hybrid from CSPA (2018-2019, national recognition)  

Pacemaker Nomination for Fenton InPrint Hybrid from NSPA (2018-2019, national recognition)   

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Action Photo

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PHOTO: MYRANDA STARK

Online Editor in Chief Gracie Warda (right) prepares for an interview with her writer, Chloe Couch (left). Warda and Couch attended the Michigan Interscholastic Press Association (MIPA) Summer Workshop to sharpen their reporting skills, and in the process, interviewed tattoo artist Cam Pohl. 

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