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Key Takeaways:
- The author had a dream of becoming a sports reporter in their home state of Louisiana since they were 14 years old.
- They drew inspiration from their favorite sports teams, including the New Orleans Saints and LSU, and dreamed of interviewing players and coaches.
- The author has achieved their dream and is now a sports reporter for the News-Star, covering high school and college sports in northeast Louisiana.
- They are excited to tell the stories of local athletes and coaches, and to immerse themselves in the communities that are passionate about sports.
- The author has experience writing about sports, having freelanced at the LHSAA girls basketball championships and written for the Courier & Press in Evansville, Indiana.
Introduction to a Dream
The author of this article had a dream nearly 16 years ago, before the New Orleans Saints won their first Super Bowl. As an eighth grader, they aspired to be a New York Times-bestselling writer and appear on the "Today" show to promote their novels. However, after seeing Drew Brees hold the Lombardi Trophy, they began to dream about becoming a sports reporter, specifically in their home state of Louisiana. As they recall, "I dreamed about sitting in the Superdome’s press conference room one day, interviewing Brees, Jimmy Graham and Sean Payton about a game-winning touchdown against the Atlanta Falcons." This dream was born out of their passion for sports and their desire to tell the stories of their favorite teams and players.
A Passion for Sports
The author’s love for sports was evident from a young age. They grew up in southeast Louisiana, graduating from Mandeville High School in 2014 and LSU in 2018. Their mom, who attended Saints games at Tulane Stadium, was a significant influence on their love for sports. The author fondly remembers the pep rallies, hearing Kenny Chesney’s "Boys of Fall" on gameday mornings, and going to Raising Canes or the Mexican restaurant next door to school after wins or losses. As they note, "Among my favorite memories while at Mandeville were the pep rallies… even selling jewelry for a club I was in outside of our baseball games." These experiences helped shape their passion for sports and their desire to become a sports reporter.
Full Circle
The author’s dream has come full circle, as they are now a sports reporter for the News-Star, covering high school and college sports in northeast Louisiana. They are proud to be telling the stories of local athletes and coaches, and are eager to immerse themselves in the communities that are passionate about sports. As they express, "I’m eager to tell the stories of what drives northeast Louisiana’s athletes and coaches, why Monroe-area teams consistently win state titles, the one particular play that defines a championship season and how amazing it is to support these communities as a family member, an educator or, simply, a fan." The author is excited to be a part of the local sports scene and to share their stories with the community.
Experience and Inspiration
The author has experience writing about sports, having freelanced at the LHSAA girls basketball championships and written for the Courier & Press in Evansville, Indiana. They recall, "Last March, I freelanced at the LHSAA girls basketball championships in Hammond, 11 days after moving back to Louisiana from Evansville, Indiana." This experience gave them a glimpse into the passion and dedication of local athletes and coaches. They also saw firsthand the excitement of the fans, noting, "The Cougar faithful in the University Center’s stands were one of the biggest crowds I’d seen throughout the tournament. I truly felt the hair on the back of my neck stand when Cedar Creek ran out onto the court before tipoff while being cheered on by its fans." These experiences have inspired the author to continue pursuing their dream of becoming a sports reporter.
A New Chapter
The author is ready to open up a new chapter in their life as a sports reporter for the News-Star. They are excited to write about college football for the first time and to fulfill their dream of sitting in the Superdome’s press conference room. As they conclude, "I’m ready to open up this next chapter in my life as a sports reporter for the Monroe News-Star and hope you will join me along the way." The author is eager to share their stories and to become a part of the local sports community. With their passion, experience, and dedication, they are sure to make a positive impact on the world of sports reporting in northeast Louisiana.
https://www.thenewsstar.com/story/sports/high-school/2026/01/08/meet-new-monroe-news-star-sports-reporter-treasure-washington/88070174007/