It’s 2017, the beginning of second semester and freshman Emily Hood has just joined FHN’s video staff. Originally, Hood wanted to be a photographer, however she was placed on the video staff instead. As a scared freshman, she stuck with it and later learned that video was something she wanted to pursue as a career when she started Hood Report.

“I ended up totally loving doing video and getting to go out and do interviews and talk to people and not only get a chance to be creative, but also do something that had an impact on people, [something] people got excited about and [something] that made a difference.” Hood said.

For Hood, room 105 has always been a place where ideas, inspiration and people willing to help are swarming. She’s grateful for that atmosphere.

“My freshman year, Jacob Lintner won Missouri [High School] Journalist of the year and I saw him win it and everything that he did and everything that he made and I thought it was really cool,” Hood said. Much to Hood’s surprise, she had found out that she won. A dream that she had as a freshman had come true her senior year.

“I found out via email and she [Hood] was [on a field trip] in Kansas [with Dr. H and a group of students].” Manfull said. “I wanted to give her a call and talk to her, but her phone was not turned on, so Dr. H and I texted and I called him. He gave her the phone and I told her that way. I don’t think she really expected it to come when it did.”

When Hood got the news, she jumped and ran around the lobby of the Kansas high school.

“This room is a space where you can have big, creative ideas that can have a chance to grow here in this room and so if you have that idea, being willing to put in the work and put in the effort to see that [idea] through, you will get so much out of this room. It’s been a really, really fun time and I’m so sad to be leaving, but it’s been a really cool experience.”  Hood said.