The Journalist of the Year was Grandview’s king for a day. A familiar face from GVTV, Jake Chau, a senior at Grandview, took two crowns at once. He won Mr. Grandview and earned a journalism scholarship on the same day; A remarkable double achievement.
“How many people can say that you won journalist of the year and Mr. Grandview, on the same day? I mean that’s wonderful. I couldn’t stop smiling,” Chau said.
Though Chau clearly has an extensive history in journalism throughout his high school career, he never expected this to happen – joining journalism never crossed his mind.
“I didn’t sign up for broadcasting. I scheduled a meeting with my counselor to drop the class, but she couldn’t get me in for a while,” Chau said. “I didn’t have any friends. I didn’t know anybody.”
With no choice but to stick it out and take the class, Chau found something in journalism that flipped a switch inside him.
“I just did the first project, and I just fell in love. When I met with my counselor, I changed the meeting from dropping the class to taking it next semester,” Chau said.
This passion he had initially only got stronger. He continues to work hard and report the truth. Because of his involvement around Grandview, he gained recognition not only from staff, but also students.
“I think by reporting I have this reputation of being everywhere. I leaned into that for Mr. Grandview,” said Chau.
Chau’s Mr. Grandview’s bit revolved around reporting and calling out his fellow classmates. He reported on problematic couples, played embarrassing videos of his competition, and expressed his opinion on Grandviews football team. His act, along with his Promposal, contributed to him winning Mr. Grandview over the other contestants.
“I was up in the back of the auditorium, and I was filming. My first initial reaction to Jake winning Mr. Grandview was that I was happy for him. He did all this hard work, all of his efforts paid off, I have so much respect for him,” Senior Kylev Almare said. “He is a remarkable man, and he is likely to succeed in the future, leaving a mark on this school.”
Chau went from not knowing many people to Grandview’s king for a day. He is leaving an inspirational mark on the underclassmen.
“Jake has definitely been an inspiration to me. He showed me that I would be able to do all types of stuff and accomplish anything,” Freshman Tiernan Reiffin said.
Chau leaves Grandview with two crowns and a feeling of accomplishment with what he’s done and what he will continue to do. He hopes to continue his education in journalism either in South Carolina or Colorado.
“Do what makes you happy. I found a home in journalism, and it helped me find my identity. And if I were to give advice to underclassmen or people who look up to me, it would be to do a lot, because you don’t know what’s going to find you,” Chau said. “And you don’t know what you’re going to find, be yourself, be nice, be a good person. Because at the end of the day, you will always be with yourself, and you will always have that identity. You might not always have journalism or the club that you’re a part of or the sport that you participate in, but you’ll always have yourself.”
