Isabella Kim describes herself as an immensely indecisive person. When asked to choose an ice cream flavor, she explained her usual decision-making process: she makes a pros and cons list and ensures she has sufficient time to think about her upcoming choice.
However, when asked what she wants to do with her life, her answer was quick: to be a journalist.
Kim’s interest in journalism began several years ago, when she was just a middle school student. Kim was recognized by her seventh-grade world history teacher, Jennifer Bellendir, as a powerful writer – it was Bellendir who encouraged Kim to choose the journalism elective for the upcoming year. Kim wasn’t aware of what, exactly, journalism entailed at the time and was hesitant to join, but trusted her teacher’s recommendation and took a leap of faith.
Kim’s first position on her middle school paper, The Birdwatch, was co-editor, covering a variety of school events including Red Ribbon Week, Spring Cleaning, and The Nutcracker. She enjoyed writing about current events, not just throughout her school, but throughout her community in Long Beach. Over the next two years, Kim would transition to her new high school and position as editor-in-chief.
“When she became our editor-in-chief, she just became exemplary in every way. She was able to be calm, she was very aware of what every student was working on and their strengths, and really helped other kids grow to reach their potential,” Lori Franzen, advisor of The Griffin Gazette, said.
A project Kim takes particular pride in is a story she reported for South Bay Youth Journalism, covering the baby formula shortage in the Long Beach community. Kim said the topic was crucial to her community and wanted the story to reach those who weren’t already aware of the impending situation.
“Because I fulfilled a goal that I’d had to return to that story, and I felt like it made an impact, even if it was a small one with just a few people, I was really grateful that I was able to write about it,” Kim said.
Although her storytelling ability often centers on objective reporting of pivotal topics, it also reveals personal depth. Kim vividly described a cherished tradition: dining with her parents at Vino E Cucina in Long Beach. She particularly enjoys an in-house menu item, Nonna’s pasta, and the rich flavor of the tiramisu, which evokes fond memories from her childhood.
Now, she prepares to embark on the next stage of her journey. In June, Kim graduated from Los Alamitos High School in Long Beach. She will attend Stanford University in the fall, majoring in communications with a journalism pathway and minoring in creative writing.
“I’m just so happy for her, but it is a devastating loss for me. I’m so excited just to see what happens next,” Franzen said.
As every college student experiences, on the occasions of late-night study sessions, rushing to finalize papers, and cramming material for an upcoming exam, Kim will stick to her two favorite drinks, water and lattes, to fuel her system and keep her going throughout the night.
Kim was inspired by her baby formula article to consider additional career pathways such as politics and public policy, hoping to continue covering less recognized topics. After college, Kim’s dream is to work for the independent and nonprofit publishing newsroom, The 19th News.
