I demonstrated my commitment to diversity by examining Mariam and Hend Mansour’s experiences being Muslim in an area predominantly non-Muslim. I explored their struggles with cultural connection, religious expression and discrimination while highlighting the strength they found in their faith. By integrating their journeys with broader societal perceptions of Islam, I provided a holistic view of the challenges and experiences that come with being visibly Muslim in America.
I demonstrated my commitment to diversity by examining Ruri Kobayakawa’s experiences of being an Asian-American female in firefighting, a male-dominated field. Through exploring both her experiences and another female firefighter’s, I integrated both the high mental and physical demands of the fire service as well as the specific challenges women face in this field to cover the holistic experience of women in firefighting. This ensured the story went beyond Kobayakawa’s touching personal narrative to a broader perspective on the challenges and progress within the firefighting profession.
I demonstrated my commitment to diversity by focusing on the personal experiences of Anna Cortez, a night custodian at MVHS, and her journey as a mother balancing work and supporting her daughter’s education. Initially planned to cover all the night custodians, but I chose to narrow the focus to Cortez to create a more impactful and personal story. Through interviews with Cortez, her daughter, and MVHS’ college and career counselor, I explored the contrasts between Cortez’s education and that of her daughter, highlighting the importance of family support in navigating education. This allowed me to share diverse perspectives on education, family and work, while giving a voice to underrepresented figures in the school community.
