ABOUT ME
Hi! My name is Ayaan, and I'm an award-winning, nationally recognized student journalist dedicated to telling stories that educate, engage, and inspire my community.
I have always had a natural curiosity about how the world works and the people who make their mark on it. My mom couldn’t understand why I read biographies when I had Magic Tree House or Flat Stanley to choose from — I read not simply for pleasure, but out of curiosity. This love of reading to absorb — and share — information later morphed into a passion for writing.
This summer, I had the privilege of attending the Asian American Journalists Association's esteemed JCamp program. Read more about my experience in detail in the "Diversity" section.
My curiosity led me toward journalism, where this passion for learning and communicating ideas found purpose in telling real stories.
As editor-in-chief of The Stinger, Emmaus High School's century-old newspaper, for the past two-years, I’ve covered contentious elections, interviewed high-profile politicians and community leaders, and reported on presidential visits. At the same time, I've led a newsroom of 40+ staffers, taught journalism classes, and much more.
My work has also appeared in The Philadelphia Inquirer, The Juggernaut, and several other publications. A proud Pakistani-American, I’m motivated by the lack of South Asians in journalism to keep reporting on all fellow underrepresented communities.
Next year, I will pursue a degree in political science with a minor in journalism at the University of Pennsylvania, with the goal of working both as a freelancer and for national publications. Journalism is my life, one I will continue to live and breathe in my professional and personal life.
Testimonials
Dedication
This site is dedicated to my advisers and journalism teachers Shelby Ramirez and Matthew Shaw. I would not be where I am today without either of you. Your innovation, guidance, and mentorship have influenced me to become the person and journalist I am now. I'm forever grateful to have worked with you for the past three years, and have gained life skills and mentors that extend further than just journalism. From the bottom of my heart, thank you.
Special thanks go out to my former adviser and journalism teacher Denise Reaman, who first taught me the craft of journalism, and my mentor Arelis Hernández, who inspired me to continue pursuing it.
I also want to extend a huge thank-you to my amazing friend Gabe Meyers for taking the photos for the headers of my SJOY portfolio.