A kind, funny, and independent leader. Senior Isabelle Symonds fits this mold perfectly as AHS Journalism’s lead Business Manager. Even though she started journalism with an interest in social media management, she soon realized that her calling came from the business and management side instead. This is highlighted by the perfection of her sales pitch: “It’s really showing a difference if [sponsors] are buying [a journalism sponsorship] on the spot or not.”
When she’s not running numbers and selling sponsorships, Symonds dedicates time to work with patients at the Heritage House in Atlantic, a job that’s built empathy and brought her joy. Symonds also participates in the high school’s Quill and Scroll, National Honors Society, and Family Consumer and Communication Leaders of America chapters.
Symonds plans to follow her love of marketing through college at UNI with a minor in communications. She is proud of her journalism peers and their hard work, especially from the future social media and business team leaders. “I really hope that we keep striving to be one of the top leaders of our area for journalism,” Symonds said.

Story by J. Molina