Senior Troy Roach has been involved in journalism for three years at Atlantic High School. He works in the yearbook department, which means you can find him taking pictures, writing captions, and designing the pages for the Javelin. Roach said that he became interested in journalism because of its importance to both him and the community, and he is inspired by people fighting for change. Roach also said that journalism has significance to him because he has had a lot of fun over the years.

Aside from helping to create the yearbook, Roach likes to create friendships among his fellow journalism classmates. He said some of these bonds with his peers he would not even have if it weren’t for being involved in journalism. Besides journalism, Roach is also involved in Speech and Debate in which he has won and maintained 1st place in both Program Oral Interpretation as well as Duo Interpretation. He is currently top in the state for Duo Interpretation and is a three-time National Qualifier. He hopes to achieve even more throughout his last year of high school. Roach has also been a part of the play and musical. He enjoys playing video games, watching TV and movies, and reading, as well as spending time with his family and cat.

Roach’s friends describe him as spontaneous, funny, smart, talented, and entertaining. He loves seeing young people strive for change and says that journalism has taught him that words can be very powerful. Roach is confident that what he has learned throughout his time in journalism will inspire him for the rest of his life.

Story by Dakota Oswalt and Lilly Stufflebeam