Kristian Rodriguez

Senior Kristian Rodriguez is a dedicated 17 year old, so dedicated that he left his family visiting in Brownsville to attend the Urban Journalism Workshop.

Rodriguez knew he couldn't miss the workshop after his Clark High School journalism adviser encouraged him to attend.

"She said it would be excellent for college because you learn to deal with real life situations; you grow as a journalist," he said.

After the grueling two-week workshop, many young journalists would take a long, well-deserved break but not Rodriguez. Immediately after the workshop, Rodriguez is going to a monthlong graphic design residency program at the Maryland Institute College of Art in Baltimore.

In the fall, Rodriguez will be co-editor of The Chronicle at Clark High School, a position he'll share with fellow workshopper Crystal Pelczar.

Clark High School's newspaper was ranked No. 1 in the nation this year in a competition in Washington, D.C.

"It was a huge accomplishment that not every single high school in the United States gets to have on their record," Rodriguez said.

Rodriguez said his goal in life is simple. "I want to be successful but to do something meaningful. I want to be able to help people," he said.

"If journalism is the way to go about that, then I'll do that; if not, then that's not the way it's supposed to be."