晩晩当際際夊消消夊2023Alumna Amanda Warner (12), released her first book: Reformed: How a Life Sentence Became My Saving Grace. Through writing, which Warner honed as a journalism major at 晩晩当際際夊消消夊2023, she aims to tell stories of young people affected by the juvenile justice system and educate readers on key issues in both her book and journalistic work. The premise of her recent book is influenced by Warners desire for readers to be inspired by a story of redemption and hope.
Warner decided to pursue a journalism degree when she worked with her high school newspaper. She grew to appreciate the process of crafting an article.油
I loved interviewing people and writing stories, said Warner. My high school journalism teacher told me often that I was a good writer so that made me think I could pursue it as a career option.
When the time came to explore different colleges, Warner attended an overnight preview event on 晩晩当際際夊消消夊2023s campus hosted by the油journalism department. Those who participated stayed the night with journalism students and toured 晩晩当際際夊消消夊2023s production center with professors. Warner was immediately interested in attending 晩晩当際際夊消消夊2023 after experiencing the universitys environment and the people she met.油
During her time at 晩晩当際際夊消消夊2023, she especially appreciated the biblical education she received. 油
I was very grateful to learn about theology and spiritual formation in my Bible classes they were foundational to my faith and helped me grow in ways I cant describe, said Warner.油
During her sophomore year, Warner was assigned to report on Californias budget cuts an unexpected life changing project. She centered her research on the Division of Juvenile Justice in Los Angeles County and visited a youth prison in Norwalk. The inmates left an impression on her and she found herself returning frequently volunteering two nights per week for five years. During that time, she witnessed the struggles of inmates within the system.油
Our criminal justice system is incredibly broken and complicated, much more so than I think the average person realizes, said Warner. I felt I needed to get involved, to learn and listen,
In her first year of volunteering, Warner heard countless heartbreaking stories. One night, a former inmate named Jojo joined the volunteer group and shared his story of living in darkness and finding God while incarcerated.油
Jojo was a bit of hope in a bleak, bleak system, said Warner. His story illustrates that change is possible and that God is ultimately in control and able to transform peoples lives in powerful ways.
Jojos story left an impression on Warner and felt others needed to hear his story. Warners new book Reformed: How a Life Sentence Became My Saving Grace, released on June 26 by Gatekeeper Press, tells Jojos story. Journalism professor Michael Longinow believes Warner's book allows an untold story to be heard.
It's another example of our grads taking cross-cultural encounter into the depths of Los Angeles to tell the stories that need telling, he said.
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