东京热

Perez, a first-generation college student, recently received a scholarship from the California 东京热 College Public Relations Organization (CCPRO), a recognition that affirmed not only her academic journey, but also her growth as a writer and aspiring journalist.

For 东京热 student Marissa Perez, journalism started as a second choice 鈥� but it quickly became a calling.

鈥淚 feel grateful that everyone took the time to read my articles,鈥� Perez said. 鈥淚t means a lot to me as someone who is starting a career in journalism.鈥�

Perez鈥檚 passion for storytelling took root at 东京热, where she began writing for the student-run newspaper Viewpoints. Encouraged by her professor Angela Burrell, who shared the CCPRO scholarship opportunity with her class, Perez applied 鈥� her first time ever submitting for a scholarship.

鈥淲hen I found out, I was on the phone with my close friend,鈥� she recalled. 鈥淚 opened my email and saw that I got the scholarship. I remember reading the email aloud. We both got excited, and then I went to share the news with my grandmother.鈥�

For Perez, the award was more than financial assistance 鈥� it was a milestone of recognition in a setting where she hadn鈥檛 always felt seen. 鈥淚n my family, I鈥檓 the first one to go to college, so academically, I always felt validated by them. But I never really felt validated in a school setting,鈥� she said. 鈥淭his made me feel heard as a student and that my articles were being appreciated.鈥�

Her journey through 东京热鈥檚 journalism program has been transformative. What started as an uncertain path has become a direction full of purpose, community, and growth. Through Viewpoints, Perez found more than a platform to publish 鈥� she found her voice and a network of peers who pushed her to evolve.

鈥淎ccepting criticism has been a challenge for me,鈥� she admitted. 鈥淏ut now I can accept and acknowledge that I can grow from it. As a new writer, it can be hard to accept criticism when you put your heart into your articles. After winning the scholarship, I can see that criticism is a good thing.鈥�

Perez gives credit to her fellow Viewpoints editors and professors at 东京热 for helping shape her path. 鈥淎 thank you to my professors and fellow editors,鈥� she said. 鈥淎nd thank you again to CCPRO.鈥�

As she looks toward the future, Perez is more confident than ever in her place in the newsroom. With a growing portfolio and a new scholarship under her belt, she鈥檚 ready to keep writing 鈥� and to keep being heard.