By NaAbena Nyarkowaa-Kusi
Gwinnett School of Mathematics, Science, and Technology

Morgan Hardy, though a newcomer to journalism as she still paves her path at UGA, is already making progress as a journalist and at only 24 she has shown that the new generation of journalist are coming in hot.

“We’re not just talking, we’re real people” Hardy says as she explains the different ways that not only she, but her fellow peers are adding character into journalism. “I get a lot of inspiration from new reporters- a lot of new news reporters my age are changing the game.”

Journalism has always been a dream career of Hardys and though she started off in different majors, she still made her way back to the art of communication. Although Hardy may have been born in an era where AI and other new technologies are slowly taking over, she hasn’t let that hold her back and she states that in the future we’ll “go back to the beginning and start over”

“What they saw first hand was very hard to swallow,” Hardy has already impacted her community with her empathy, reaching out to the grieving community of Apalachee High School, where journalism gets emotional. “Having the ability to focus even when interviewing about serious topics is one of the toughest parts.”

“That’s when you lean on your friends and other journalist you’re working with.” The relationship not only with other forms of journalism but also the different creators who may just be right next to you are there to provide you some sort of guidance to produce work that brings communities together. If journalism is a form of communication than the effort that goes into that conversation must be applied “kinda making them feel very important , not just having a camera staring them down.”

Hardy depicts journalism as many different subjects, but the fear or anxiety of switching from one type to another is real. “You won’t know until you try” said Hardy.

There is no true way to stay prepared, every experience is different, but as long as one is willing to apply themselves to the cause anything is possible.

Hardy states that “all forms of journalism are very similar” These contributions, whether big or small, come together to create a positive impact on journalism as a whole. “It helped me a lot learning about journalism as a whole and why it means so much to each other to make one big piece.”

By Grady Leatherwood
Calhoun High School

Hailing from the Southside of Chicago, Joe Dennis — a Filipino journalist-turned professor — has a passion for sharing and discovering stories. The Windy City native has worked in the world of journalism for many years, meeting an innumerable amount of people — such as John Mayer and Isiah Thomas — and sharing his enthusiasm with them. Despite being able to meet major personalities and celebrities, Dennis claims he finds the most inspiration from ordinary people.

“What was really impactful for me, was when I was reporting on a judge who needed a liver transplant and was on the waitlist for organ donation,” said Dennis, as he recollected on a past assignment. “I really got to know the family. I would come in and have dinner with them. And every month, I would write an update on how his health was doing.”

Dennis didn’t just write stories, he connected with the people he worked with. After months of engaging with the family and providing monthly updates, the judge passed away while being 12th on the waiting list. “That really was powerful to me,” Dennis reflected. “That day, I went to the driver’s license facility and became an organ donor, because I saw the impact that organ donation can really have on people.”

Dennis takes pride in making connections and taking time to know his subjects. “When you’re working as a journalist, one of the most important things you can do is continue to be very friendly,” Dennis advised. “Take an active interest in other people, not just what you need for journalism. Take an interest in who they are and their families.”

Dennis’ commitment to connection proved to pay off, as he received additional opportunities. One day while out shopping, he received a phone call from a connection at the Georgia Bureau of Investigation (GBI) for a chance to work a substantial story on a drug bust. “The GBI was doing an undercover drug bust that they really wanted the promotion about,” Dennis said. “I’m working at this community newspaper, and they called me as opposed to calling Fox 5 in Atlanta or NBC 11. That’s because I had developed that rapport with them from a previous story.”

Coincidentally, the call from the GBI was also the moment that Dennis realized a change in profession would be in order. “I knew I wanted to go a different path and go into teaching when we were shopping for baby strollers,” said Dennis when describing getting the call. “I’m having some family time now and this is my job and I need to do this. I really wanted to do something that was on more of a regular schedule. That’s what led me into teaching.”

Following his profession change to a college professor, Dennis found pride in teaching successful students. “It is so cool to see where some of my former alumni end up,” said Dennis. “One of my former students is now working with the NBA as a social media coordinator. I have another student who works as the announcer for the Texas Tailgaters.”

Throughout the duration of his career, Dennis has had an immense impact on those he interacts with. He serves as an inspiration to aspiring journalists through his dedication to connection.

Dennis currently serves as the Associate Professor of Mass Communications at Piedmont University in Demorest, Georgia.

By Fiona McGaraghan
Menlo-Atherton High School

Loneliness is a major fear among many groups of people, regardless of age or location. Moving away from home, ending up in an unwelcoming school or workplace, and losing loved ones are some of the hardest experiences people go through, and yet many spend little time thinking about how to connect more with those around them. Journalist Morgan Hardy, however, centers her whole career around connection.

Hardy has worked on a diverse set of projects within the field of journalism, from broadcast script writing to photography to documentaries. 

“The first thing that drew me to journalism was communication. And for me communication is learning about other people, and their cultures, and just them as a whole,” said Hardy, who minored in Sociology at UGA. “Sociology kind of opened the door for that and helped me learn more of the intricate details of that and helped me learn how different people communicate socially.” 

She brings this perspective into her work in the field, valuing an understanding between her and the interviewee as one of the most powerful tools for a successful story. As part of an emotionally charged documentary Hardy co-directed on the Apalachee High School shooting, she interviewed a Sheriff she didn’t have much built-in common ground with. “Pre-interview we were kinda just like ‘Oh, hey, what’d you do today? How was your day?’ Like, just like making them feel comfortable.” 

Looking forward, Hardy sees the connection between journalists and news consumers as the next step in the evolution of journalism. “I love how people my age are really starting to try to change the format, ‘cause we’re not just talking heads, we’re people…I just love to hear different voices within journalism… not just the voices that [journalists are] reporting on, but the reporter’s voices as well.”

With the aftermath of CoViD, the rise of social media, and AI causing all-time high levels of loneliness, Hardy’ vision for the future of journalism–centering a more personal field and product–is one we need more than ever.

When it comes to Hardy’s vision for her own future, it looks like her passion for journalism won’t be going anywhere. “So far, so good. I’ve been surprised by the doors that [journalism] can unlock and what I’ve learned,” she reflects. “I’m so glad I did this.”

By Bristol Hardman
Madison County High School

Going from earning her Bachelor’s Degree to now getting her Master’s in Journalism and Mass Communications to now helping produce the documentary ” We Will Rise,” Morgan Hardy enjoys all aspects of journalism.

“It takes a great amount of creativity to do the different types of Journalism,” said Morgan Hardy, who launched her high school’s newspaper and later produced a new digital storytelling content. “It’s always been something that I’m drawn to and video and audio have always interested me.”

Hardy has always wanted to be in journalism since she was a kid. She said that “It’s always been something, I’ve always wanted to do, but the news always interested me.”

When she was in middle school she participated in her middle schools morning show broadcast. She then went to UGA and as an undergraduate she had many experiences come her way. While she could not name them all, she did name that she got to experience being an intern as the Digital Producer for the Olgethorpe Echo and she also got to do many other internships and create content.

“The University of Georgia ( UGA) has opened many doors for me and helped my network,” she said, explaining that she believes ” If I hadn’t gone to UGA, I don’t think I would have got the opportunities.”

She originally went to Louisiana State University( LSU) her freshman year of college and got her basic courses done. After her transfer to UGA is when she had all her opportunities open. “I’ve been surprised the doors that can lie and what I have learned and all the opportunities it has opened.”

Hardy has learned that “journalism can be hard and it can be uncomfortable sometimes, but if you get to know your people your interviewing, it makes it easier for them to trust you and makes them feel more comfortable in answering your questions. You lean on your friends and other journalists and find little corners.”

Attempting new things is important for young journalist entering the field. “You won’t know till you try.” said Hardy, who is entering her final year in graduate school. “I’m very blessed and grateful to be here and will be very sad when I have to leave.”