Bruce Sims

people@gulfcoastnewspapers.com

ROBERTSDALE - Amy Griffis' writing talent could very well lead her into the field of journalism, but whether it is the print or television side of the field only time will tell. The Robertsdale High senior, who is already a proficient poet, said writing is something she not only enjoys, but would enjoy making a career of.

“I really like studying history, as well as current events, as the latter often reminds you of the former,” she said.

Griffis credited Coach Steve Shartzer with helping expand her historical perspective, and William Peck, who teaches her senior government class, with increasing her desire to know more about current events.

“Another class I’ve enjoyed has been Shannon McCurdy’s Creative Writing class,” she said. “She not only shows us the various writing techniques, but how we might apply them to our own writing styles.”

Last year, during the spring term, Griffis was one of five A’s in McCurdy’s Honors English class.

“Mrs. McCurdy encouraged us to read a lot of different authors so that we could study their styles,” she said.

F. Scott Fitzgerald, Carl Sandburg, and Robert Frost are just a few of her favorite writers.

“I also enjoy the novels of Jane Austen, as well as adventure stories, biographies, and American novels,” she said.

When Griffis gets home from school she immediately turns on CNN to see what the latest news is.

“I also flip through the channels during the news hour to watch the different national and local stories,” she said. “Brian Williams is my favorite anchor. I also enjoy reading newspapers. I especially enjoy the opinion/editorial page because many of the columnists make you think.”  

Besides majoring in communications, Griffis said she would like to continue to be a part of a marching band when she goes off to college.

“I enjoy music, whether it’s playing clarinet in the band, or listening to songs on the radio,” she said. “The lyrics of various songs are like poetry in the sense they give you an insight into the writer's mind and thought process.”

At present, Griffis is considering attending the University of Alabama, as they not only have the fifth-ranked school of communications in the nation, but the Million Dollar Band as well.

“I was thinking along the lines of majoring in communications and minoring in political science,” she said. “I would like to get an internship with one of our Congressmen, or maybe work for a portion of the summer in the governor’s office.”

Griffis said she would also like to intern with a newspaper as well as a television station while she is in college.

Griffis lives in Silverhill, along with her parents, Leigh and Keith, and her sister, Alyssa, who is in eighth grade at Central Baldwin Middle School.