2003 Axthelm Scholarship Recipient
Faiza Yunus

Every person’s life is a story. Mine included. As the youngest of four children born to Pakistani immigrants, I think I can fairly say my life has been anything but typical, but then again, I think most people feel that way. Although I was born and raised in Milwaukee, I have always felt deeply connected to my Pakistani roots. Perhaps that is because, like most cultures, family is the center of life. Essentially, I feel that it is my family that has made me who I am. It is my family that has shaped me into hard-working, goal-oriented individual, and it is my family that helped me realize my true talent was in the field of journalism.

When my interest in journalism first arose as a sophomore in high school, it was because of my love of writing. The issues and interviews were all secondary to the writing aspect as far as I was concerned. However, when I was selected to be the co-editor of my high school newspaper in my senior year and I oversaw the journalistic process at the high school level, my view changed.

I realized that all aspects of reporting were equally important and the ultimate goal was to produce a piece that would educate others.I carried that viewpoint with me to college and really took it to heart after the tragedies of September 11 changed the world. At that point, I saw the power journalists had to educate the public, as well as the power they had to influence public opinion for better or for worse. This was something that I was particularly sensitive to because I saw the world begin to question my religious faith and I saw it look to journalists for answers.

Although my current position as the arts and entertainment reporter for The Marquette Tribune doesn’t tackle such issues, I still see myself as an educator and hope that whenever someone reads one of my stories he learns something new. I hope to take the skills that I have obtained as a journalist with me to law school so I can specialize in media law and continue to educate others through the media.