My background is the foundation of my journalism. I was born overseas to a Russian mother and a Ukrainian father, and ever since the beginning of the Russo-Ukrainian war two halves of my cultural identity were torn in two. Through my craft, I hope to make difficult realities more digestible and accessible to people who have found too much comfort in being unaffected, all the while maintaining empathy and integrity.

My first year of course saw me working in collaboration with my class to man the 96.1 student radio station once known as Bassline FM, where we wrote back to back radio bulletins. The second year started off diving straight into fast paced Plains Media and Kōkako radio broadcasts, as well as writing and recording videos for Metronews; the latter of which has captured my interest.

I'm interested in all things journalism, with a strong focus on social issues and politics. This year I have the privilege of being part of the Youth Press Gallery for the New Zealand Youth Parliament where I hope to cover those very topics. This is also my second year as a writer for the Ara student magazine, Waha Kōrero.

Ngā mihi.