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About 15 years ago, Audrey Fletcher, ‘15 was an entertainment editor for her high school newspaper. Today, she is the media outreach coordinator for , where she helps musicians share their music and the stories behind their art.

At GlenOak High School’s , Fletcher gained valuable experience that helped her grow as a writer and student. 

“I had just transferred from a small school to a large high school where I knew few people,” Fletcher said.

“Participating in news staff helped me form a tight-knit group with my peers, as well as being able to enjoy writing and learning about the subjects I interviewed.” 

Fletcher took journalistic writing during her first semester and joined the news staff shortly after. She recalls putting in hard work for each issue and enjoying herself in the process. 

“Each month all of the editors would have a ‘Late Night’ where we would stay after school to design the newspaper, order food and get to work,” Fletcher said. “We also were able to go to Kent State for the Ohio Scholastic Media Association Conference and meet professionals and kids from other schools.” 

Fletcher credits her high school journalism teacher Angela Spano with persuading her to pursue journalism in college and beyond.

“From that first day of journalistic writing, Mrs. Spano always encouraged me and believed I could work in journalism — and I did,” Fletcher said. “I wouldn't have gone to Kent, studied journalism or moved beyond it without the foundation she gave me.”

During her time at Kent State, Fletcher interned at magazine and served as an editor for several of Kent’s student publications. After receiving her bachelor’s degree in journalism, she completed a Dow Jones News Fund Internship at the Beaumont Enterprise in Texas. 

“When my internship ended, I stayed there as a copy editor and page designer before becoming The Enterprise's entertainment magazine editor,” Fletcher said. “I wrote stories, managed freelancers, scheduled social media and web posts and continued to design the newspaper.”

As she approaches her sixth year with Crossroads Label Group, Fletcher still incorporates knowledge from her high school journalism class in her current role. 

“The communication skills I developed at the beginning of high school are crucial for my current role,” Fletcher said. “I still use what I learned about grammar and writing concisely, as well as interviewing and research skills I developed.”

Fletcher encourages current high school journalism students to home in on career-transferable communication and information-sharing skills.

“I wouldn't be who I am today without the many steps of journalism throughout my life,” Fletcher said. “I'm forever grateful I decided to sign up for journalistic writing as an unsure freshman, so take the shot!”