Many people show empathy and go out of their job limits to help others in difficult situations. This is shown in major worldwide events such as 9/11 and even small local situations such as saving up money to get Christmas presents for a homeless high school student. Most of the people who advocate for the environment and provide help for others aren’t personally recognized.
When Emmy award-winning broadcast journalist Dave Thomas stepped out from behind the camera and into the classroom, he brought with him not just a wealth of experience, but a profound dedication to remembrance and compassion. To David, journalism is more than just a job. He believes journalism gives him a chance to help others in many ways. David went through multiple experiences where he had and took advantage of a case where he could provide peace and help for the victims and their loved ones. Years after reporting on the world’s biggest stories, David penned a moving tribute to the victims of 9/11—a story close to his heart, driven by his mission to honor those who could no longer speak for themselves. After news broke of the victims being pronounced dead, David wrote articles on the victims themselves, providing remembrance and peace for their families. While talking about his experiences, Thomas stated, “As a journalist you have to structure the views of the people” and “know how to stand your ground with respect”. Dave went on to say that during this tragic event, he had to respect everybody’s views and shape their views into a story. Dave went out of his job line to do all he could for the people affected by this tragedy.
When journalists help others, it’s normally a big headline that everybody in the world can see, but I think sometimes many forget the small acts that someone can do that aren’t documented but should be appreciated. For example, Pennridge High School guidance counselor, Dean Behrens has helped hundreds of students over the years. Every year, Behrens’s job responsibilities change. Behrens will start with a freshman class and will be that class’s counselor for all four years of high school. And when those students graduate, he will start with the new incoming freshman and repeat. When Behrens has a junior or senior class, he helps the students with letters of recommendation and transcripts for college. But right now, Behrens has a freshman class, so he is getting to know everyone, helping students find their classes, registering for AP testing, and setting up parent meetings. When interviewing Behrens, he spoke of a time when he had to go out of his job limits to help students; “Last year I had kids applying to colleges, so some days I had to stay after hours to help them submit their applications.” Now on the news, people see these huge stories and think that these people are heroes, and they are, but people don’t see the little things that happen every day; something as little as helping a student find their class or staying after school to help students prepare for college. Anyone can make a difference, no matter what job or position they are in.
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