By Evelyn Jeffords
Whitfield Academy

It’s one thing to help resolve a current issue by writing about it and bringing its attention to the public, but it’s another to take action and make a change by personally stepping in and getting involved. Joe Dennis’s career in journalism gives him the opportunity to experience real world events first hand. Joe believes strongly in the power of making connections and that as a result it will get you far in any part of life, especially in the journalism industry. 

In an interview Joe said, “One of the most important things that you can do is every time you contact someone just be very friendly with them and make sure you save their phone numbers in your phone and who they are and what they work for, because you never know when a source could come through for you.”

This attitude opened many doors for him and allowed him access to more viewpoints and situations. In one instance because of a relationship he’d previously built, he was called to report on a meth-lab drug bust to get the chance to spend 20 hours with a unit. He’s also 

had the opportunity to speak to many celebrities, including: John Mayer, Chris Jericho, and Isaiah Thomas. One of the most impactful people he’s reported on however, is a judge.

Joe spent several months checking in with and writing about a judge who was on the waitlist for an organ transplant. He got to know the family well and would bond over dinners together, updating his writing as to his status and current position on the waitlist. Tragically, the judge was not able to make it through to the top of the waitlist and passed away. 

Joe remarked on how this impacted him to take action, “…he died when he was number 12 on the waitlist. When he died that really was powerful to me and that day I became an organ donor. I went to the drivers license facility and became an organ donor just because I saw the impact that organ donation can really have on people, how few organ donors there are and how it would have just taken a few more people to keep him alive.”

Joe Dennis’s experiences as a journalist demonstrate that reporting is about more than telling stories, but about building meaningful connections, understanding people’s lives, and telling their stories through their lens. Through his dedication to developing personal relationships, he gained unique opportunities that shaped both his career and his perspective on life. His story shows how journalism doesn’t just inform the public but inspires personal action and meaningful change.

By Becket McDuffie
Palos Verdes High School

For years, Joe Dennis was always on call. The news didn’t care if he was spending time with family. And it certainly didn’t care that he was shopping for baby strollers with his wife. “We were shopping for baby strollers when I got a call from my contact at GBI, he said, ‘Hey Joe, I need you to come down to Logansville at 5 o’clock tonight,” Dennis said. Like countless times before, Dennis had a choice to make. He could continue the afternoon with his family, or he could chase the story. Joe explained the situation, saying, “I’m having some family time right now, but this is my job, and I need to do this.” For much of his career, journalism dictated Dennis’ schedule. But experiences like that eventually changed how he viewed the profession and led him toward a new role, teaching the next generation of journalists.

While Dennis eventually left the fast-paced world of daily news reporting, he never left journalism behind. Instead, he found a new way to pursue it through teaching. Today, Dennis helps students understand not only how to report stories, but also how to navigate an increasingly complicated media landscape. “I wanted to continue journalism for something that was on a more regular schedule,” Dennis said. “That’s what led me into teaching.”

While Dennis found a more predictable schedule in teaching, his experiences as a journalist continued to shape the lessons he shared with students. Years spent covering the news also changed the way he viewed information itself. “You are overwhelmed with information. I actually struggled with this,” Dennis said.

Having experienced the effects of information overload himself, Dennis believes quality journalism is more important than ever. In a world dominated by social media, he argues that journalism provides something many online platforms cannot: context.

While social media often delivers information through short clips and individual opinions, journalism requires reporters to gather information from many sources and present a fuller picture of events. “Journalism is rooted in principles that other forms of media aren’t,” said Dennis.

Dennis’ view of journalism has evolved in other ways as well. Early in his career, he believed journalists should strive to be completely unbiased. Over time, however, he came to realize that complete objectivity is impossible. Instead, he believes journalists must recognize their own biases and understand how those biases can influence their reporting.

Although Dennis remains passionate about journalism, the most rewarding part of his career isn’t seeing a story published; it’s seeing where his students end up. Former students have gone on to work for organizations ranging from the NBA to the Savannah Bananas. For Dennis, those successes serve as a reminder that his impact extends far beyond the classroom.”Seeing where some of my students go afterwards and how they make an impact is really cool,” Dennis said, “It’s rewarding to know that I helped them get to where they are today.”

By Anthony J.T. West
Natchez Early College

This is a man that wears many hats mainly Fedoras. Behind that hat is a very impactful man who has had an incredible journey in journalism. This a man who has encountered multiple politicians, major sports figures, and civil rights leaders. If you name them he has pretty much met someone that is major in whatever field you want to talk about. This is a man who has a long career that can be summed up into one word “opportunity”. No matter the circumstances or the obstacles he has to face he is a person that remains humble, dedicated, and passionate about his job in the field of journalism. I am talking about the one, the only Dr. Joe G. Dennis. “This is my job I need to do this” Joe said. “I really wanted to do something in the field of journalism”.

Joe Dennis went to a college named North Central College in Naperville, Illinois. It all started when he became fascinated by the uniqueness of people and wanting to know more about their stories. “Every person has a story, and I want to discover it” Joe says. When he discovered Journalism this became a passion that would have given him experiences with people he probably had no idea he would even meet. During the time he was at college his orientation lead was a sports editor of a college newspaper, and he needed a volleyball reporter. Little did they know that this would set him up for a woman (who played volleyball) he would be with for the rest of his life.

“The stories I heard, wrote and even lived through shaped who I am today and the hats I wear. I became an organ donor after profiling a man’s unsuccessful wait for a new liver. My respect for police officers grew immensely after spending 20 hours with a unit during a meth-lab drug bust. My compassion for the poor — especially children — was reinforced after visiting the blighted home of a slum-lord victim.” Joe said. This shows to me that not only does he do journalism to ask questions to people. He also does it because genuinely cares about people and their well being and I feel that is one of the most important things you need to have to be successful in this industry.

“My career has given me the opportunity to hang out with several “stars,” such as musician John Mayer, WWE superstar Chris Jericho and basketball legend Isiah Thomas. I’ve met several historical figures including civil rights leaders, war heroes and prominent politicians.” Joe says. Not only does he interview regular people on a day-to-day, but he also has talked to, interviewed, questioned, and met some of the most famous people in the world. How many people can say that they have met some of the most famous people in history while having a one on one with them asking questions? This man has lived a life that people can only dream of. It maybe even became a surprise to himself that he would have been able to get the opportunities that would have changed his life forever.

Joe G. Dennis has had an extraordinary career built on curiosity, hard work, and a passion for telling people’s stories. His journey shows us how journalism can open doors to incredible opportunities while also teaching valuable lessons about compassion, empathy, and understanding. Whether interviewing ordinary citizens or world-famous figures, Joe has always remained committed to learning about others and sharing their stories. His career is an amazing example of how dedication and a genuine interest in people can lead to a meaningful and impactful life. “Just being nice.” He says, “Communicating with everyone nicely. Just try to be a nice person and a good human being. By taking an active interest in other people and it will pay-off.”

By Grace O’Rourke
Palos Verdes High School

A young girl sitting in front of a camera for her middle school’s morning show broadcast had no idea she would be setting the course for her future and the time to come. Years later, that girl would go on to co-produce a Student Emmy Award-winning documentary about one of the most devastating school shootings in Georgia history, where she would overcome the difficulties of sitting face to face with grieving families, asking the questions that nobody wanted to answer, so that she could tell the story that needed to be told.

“The first thing that drew me to journalism was communications,” said Morgan Hardy, a second-year graduate student at the University of Georgia’s Grady college of Journalism and Mass Communications, “and for me, communication is learning about other people.”

Hardy who earned her bachelor’s degree in journalism and mass communication from Grady, along with a minor is sociology and a certificate in news literacy, has spent years turning that curiosity about people into a career. From broadcasting daily news announcements in high school to launching her school’s newspaper, Hardy has never stopped chasing stories.

At Grady, those instincts were put to the test in the deepest way possible. Hardy served as a producer and social media producer for “We Will Rise: The Story of the Apalachee High School Shooting,” a documentary that earned a Student Production Emmy Award. The project required her to interview grieving families and community members who witnessed the tragedy firsthand, something she describes as one of the hardest things she has worked on.

“Interviewing those families and people in that town was really tough,” Hardy said. “What they saw firsthand was really hard to swallow.”

As someone who feels deeply, Hardy had to find a way to keep going. “I’m an empath so when people are really upset I kind of feel that too, just hearing the graphic details, that was really tough: to set my emotions aside and ask the questions, knowing its gonna hurt.”

She learned quickly that there was only one way through it.

“I really learned you can’t go in head first,” Hardy said. ” My toughest thing was going in small and taking baby steps, making them feel comfortable to even talk about something like that.”

That same patience and willingness to adapt has defined how Hardy approaches journalism as a whole. When asked about figuring out what kind of journalist she wants to be, her answer was simple. “You won’t know until you try,” she said.

That openness to trying led her to UGA, a decision she says changes everything. “If I didn’t go to UGA, I don’t think I would’ve had as many opportunities,” Hardy said. “It’s so incredible that a school has so many connections.”

For someone who simply started wanting to connect with others, the journey has exceeded every expectation.

“So far so good,” Hardy said. “It’s opened so many doors I never knew could be opened.”

By Sam Crumly
Stonehaven Upper School

John Mayers the seven time grammy award winning singer and guitarist, Chris Jericho a prominent WWE wrestler and lead singer of the heavy rock band Fozzy, and Isaiah Thomas an NBA hall of Famer. what connects all these people? Just your average Joe, Doctor Joe G. Dennis. How did he make all of these connections? “Just being nice.” He says, “Communicating with everyone nicely. Just try to be a nice person and a good human being. By taking an active interest in other people and it will pay-off.”

Joe G. Dennis began his career in Journalism, and mass communication at North Central College university, he worked at the Walton tribune, as well as Reporter Progress News and now is working as the associate professor of mass communications at Piedmont University. Doctor Dennis always had an interest in actively telling the stories of the people all around him. This zealous curiosity is what led him to be so interested in this career as a whole. He always had this passion, but his intentions began to evolve to a desire to work as a teacher. He states that his intentions for his career changed when quote, “I was out with my wife, who was pregnant at the time, shopping for items for our baby, when I got a call. From my contact at the GBI (Georgia Bureau of investigation). Saying that I needed to drive down to Loganville to meet up with them for a drug bust they were about to conduct on a kingpin in that area. Telling me ‘this is gonna be a great story you won’t want to miss it.’ And I realized, aw man, this sucks, I’m having some family time and now a have to drive down to Loganville. The reality of the profession I was in is that this would be happening a lot when the baby came.” This type of situation was not the type of situation that could be ignored. Leading him to turn to teaching instead.

Dennis’s entire career as a Journalist was about telling the story of other people and showing the world what their lives were like. He reported on a couple keeping their chapter of the Red Cross alive in their own home, the infamous drug bust with the GBI, and also the story of a judge who was unable to get access to an organ transplant in time. The main thing even allowing him to do all of this was his network of connections. Which he maintained by, “Keeping up contact with each of the people you meet in your life. Not treating them like contacts, but instead treating them like human beings. Building a rapport and trust with each of the people you know. Because you never know who could become your next contact.” This concept is what allowed Joe Dennis into these all of the rooms where he could be the one trusted to tell these stories.

Staying grounded in reality as well, telling stories about people in his own community. Also stating that, “We consume lots of information, try and limit your information from the internet and focus on the reality of it all.” Because although lots can be learned from the internet, lots more can be learned from the real world. The stories that happen in the embodied world and don’t make to your for you page on reels.

Although his career as a journalist was an incredible one, it was a demanding one. Having to sacrifice personal time for the sake of those stories, as we saw with him having to leave his wife for a story. He states that, “I really wanted to something in the field of Journalism, but with more of a stable schedule, leading me to teaching at Piedmont.” This conflict is what made him change his career so that he could focus more on his own story with his wife and family. while still leaving his skills in the field of reporting to his students at his job at Piedmont.

By Kirsten Jolly
New Manchester High School

How do you differentiate between artificiality and authentic work, and furthermore how can a line be clearly drawn between the two, if it is impossible to tell where deception began? As a journalist, UGA Graduate Student, Morgan Hardy faces these questions every day, and strives to responds to them with boldness and bravery as she relentlessly pursues truth into the future.

To Hardy, being a journalist is much more than just writing and reporting. It’s understanding, knowing and connecting to the people you are writing about, and representing them in a light that is true to them. “We are real life people,” Hardy declared, while emphasizing the importance of intrapersonal connection as a journalist.

“Put your voice in your writing,”. she stated. Here, she highlights how emotional connection is something that is unique to humans, and can’t be easily replicated by Generative AI, despite implications by some in the journalistic industry.

Hardy’s perspective on this is a breath of fresh air compared to the overwhelming narrative about Generative AI in a contemporary society; as many seem to be disregarding the value of human journalists, and overestimating the capability of artificial intelligence. Hardy continues to discuss struggles she faces while rising in the industry, mainly focusing on the integration of AI into creative fields.

Hardy described how she finds herself to be dissapointed with said integration, as it is being forced upon us, rather than offered as an option. She continues to recognize the danger of that, not only as a journalist, but a youth leader entering the world. Despite the precedent, Hardy drives her own opinion about who (or what) exactly will be leading the next generation of democracy: the talented and inspired youth.

She admires the tenacity and creativity of young journalists, and how they approach tackling difficult topics in unique ways. Hardy specifically recalls her admiration of a certain journalist who captivated her audience by being funny and relatable, before highlighting the deeper issue about the topic she was covering. Hardy explains how she senses a real shift in the industry towards something greater than AI: authentic youth innovation.

As the stakes continue to rise, Morgan Hardy stays set on tackling the tough topics, and approaching them in a sensible, emotional and uniquely human way. Her influence and perspective is something that creates a space where many can feel accommodated for, and understood. As her journey continues to evolve, her voice does as well, stating the things left unsaid, and representing those left unheard.