Daneen Khan’s journalism superpower: Telling student stories

By Annie Heath
First Flight High ’24

Daneen Khan’s commitment to reflecting the diversity of student life in her high school journalism has been recognized by her classmates, her adviser – and even a panel of judges.

Khan, a 2023 graduate of Green Level High, is the winner of the 2023 Rachel Rivers-Coffey North Carolina Journalist of the Year. The winner receives a $3,000 scholarship from the N.C. Press Foundation. Along with the winner, there are three alternates. The alternates for 2023 are Emmy Benton of First Flight High, Olivia Metelo of Enloe Magnet High and Taylor Newton of First Flight High.

Each alternate receives a $1,000 scholarship. The foundation also awards the winners’ high school journalism programs. Khan’s program will receive $500, and the three alternates’ programs will each receive $250.

Khan, co-editor-in-chief of The Gators Eye, brings everything to her newspaper – and that’s not an understatement. Her urge to make students’ voices heard, no matter the person or story, grew from a desire to reality.

As a Pakistani American, Khan grew up with little representation of herself in publications and on screen. This contributed to her desire to uplift voices and make others’ stories seen, she said.

“There are so many stories that just get overshadowed by these more publicized events. And I knew even before I joined the class that I wanted to do something to change that,” Khan said. “When it comes to our school, you’ll find me writing about anything from academics to arts and a few sports pieces. (I write) about all kinds of students, cultural events and heritage months. I just really want to put it all out there for everyone to see.”

Khan reminisced that joining a high school journalism class freshman year was terrifying. In the newspaper room, Khan found a curiosity for people, a love for writing and friends in the journalism classroom who supported her every step.

Through her four years working for this publication, Khan dabbled in photography, design, editing and leadership. But what stuck with her most was the writing.

Though it wasn’t solely the writing itself – it was the ability to share other people’s stories that really impacted her, she said. She brings hidden voices and topics into the light with her student life pieces. Featuring students is Khan’s specialty.

“It’s so fun when you’re talking to someone – whether it be about something their club is doing, some cultural event that’s important to them, or something in the community – and you see them get super passionate about it, light up and start talking. That’s probably my favorite thing to write, no matter what kind of specific genre it falls into,” Khan said.

Her desire to represent everyone’s stories in the media shone through in her portfolio. The judges noted how Khan’s portfolio showed a commitment to diversity.

Joshua Kesterson, the adviser for The Gators Eye newspaper, has seen Khan’s commitment to all areas of student life. What makes her a well-rounded journalist is her plethora of experiences and discoveries, he said.

“She is a talented writer because of her curiosity,” Kesterson said. “Not just her natural ability to be able to write, but also to be able to create stories and connect with people interpersonally and in the story.”

Throughout Khan’s application process, her classmates provided support and advice. Her classmates were there to push her, tell her what looked good and tell her what to revise, she said.

Each year, the state winner can submit the portfolio to compete for scholarships in the national Journalism Education Association High School Journalist of the Year contest. Khan’s classmates were able to help her revise and decide what to change and add to her state-winning portfolio.

Applicants for journalist of the year go through a process of collecting material and creating a portfolio of their years in scholastic journalism. Khan offered her best advice to next year’s applicants.

“Go out of your comfort zone,” Khan said. “You might be really good at something – and you should shine and focus on that – but just because you think ‘I’m not used to this,’ or ‘I don’t know if I can do this,’ don’t shy away from it.”

“Throw everything you’ve got into that portfolio and put your best effort into it, even if you’re not sure. Don’t let your self-doubt stop you.”