Teen of the Week winner builds broadcast journalism program, impressive resume
MURRAY, Ky. — To say Hannah Boone, Murray High School senior, and the school’s broadcast journalism program are one and the same isn’t accurate. That would leave out other students who, because of Boone’s drive, have had a better opportunity to study the field in high school.
But to say Boone took the program to new levels and made it part of her legacy is dead on, according to her teachers.
“I am losing one of my most talented broadcast journalism (students),” said Sherry Purdom, journalism teacher. Purdom, the spokeswoman for the Murray Independent School District, signed on to start and advise Murray High’s broadcast journalism program three years ago.
“Hannah enrolled in the class and we each had no idea the journey that awaited us,” Purdom said. “(She) has grown and accelerated this program to new exceptional heights resulting in a monthly news show, as well as the numerous personal opportunities afforded to her talent.”
Boone’s work led her to anchor Murray State University’s “Round About U” program and helped her land scholarships at several conferences, all while keeping up a 3.5 grade-point average.
“Right off the bat I really enjoyed it,” Boone said about the journalism program. “I’ve learned so much about it and there’s so much more to learn.”
What she’s learned, and accomplished, is worth Teen of the Week honors.
Boone, daughter of Howard and Rhonda Boone, is the Murray State University Teen of the Week. Each Monday, the Sun features a different MSU Teen of the Week selected from nominees submitted by high school guidance counselors throughout western Kentucky and southern Illinois. In May, a Teen of the Year will be chosen from the weekly winners, earning a $5,000 scholarship to Murray State. Teen of the Week is part of the Sun’s Newspapers in Education program.
Boone’s passion and work ethic isn’t singularly focused. She dedicated herself to the school cheerleading team, serving as co-captain the past three years. A member of Key Club and Y-Club for four years, Boone is also the speech team co-captain. For the past two years she has served as yearbook co-editor, and she was president of her class as a junior.
Nothing, however, matches her passion for anchoring and creating television news programs.
Boone created and anchored “Teachers Love to Cook” for the WMHS-TV 13 Tiger Stripes News Team. While a sophomore, the Student Television Network selected her in an essay contest to attend a four-day production training conference in Kansas City, Mo. As a junior, Boone attended an STN Conference in Orlando, Fla., where she won a scholarship by beating out 54 other students in a challenge to write an original 55-second broadcast story in 45 minutes.
Even while dreaming of being the next Meredith Vieira on the “Today Show,” Boone balances her time in school and in organizations with part-time jobs, formerly at Pagliai’s Pizza and now at the Cheri Theater.
“I am constantly amazed at Hannah’s ability juggling all of her school responsibilities,” Purdom said.
Murray State University and Western Kentucky University are two universities Boone is considering attending to study journalism.
A spotlight awaits, wherever she goes from here.
Contact Adam Shull, a Paducah Sun staff writer, at 270-575-8653.
