From participating in photojournalism to playing softball, freshman Victorya Wilkinson is a member of many activities but she has been passionate about reading and writing ever since she was a child. Her hobby of reading stems from her childhood composed of mysterious characters and thrilling, page-turning plots. Mary Downing Hahn is Wilkinson’s favorite author because she considers her novels to be intriguing and addicting.

“I feel like the suspense of her books always kept me wanting to read more,” Wilkinson said.

Mary Downing Hahn’s novels were so influential to Wilkinson that by reading them, she realized that she wanted to pursue writing.

“It helped me feel like, wow, like this is something that would be really interesting for me to do,” Wilkinson said.

Not only did Mary Downing Hahn’s stories affect Wilkinson’s writing but her work is also a reflection of her talkative and bubbly personality.

“It’s easier for me to keep asking questions and to really connect with people to get more information to add in the writing” Wilkinson said.

By forming a relationship with her subjects, Wilkinson effectively conveys the perspectives of the people she reports in her writing but this is not her only strength. She also firmly believes that a talented writer must strive for the truth and must be open-minded by considering various viewpoints. As a writer who supports respectable principles, easily creates a bond with others and is a bookworm - this busy and ambitious freshman will write some compelling articles in the next four years.