Reporter Willie Daniely III reflects on 'the importance of our craft'

Nearly 330 high school journalists and teachers from around the state learned about the finding their own voices during the Georgia Scholastic Press Association’s Spring Awards ceremony March 24, 2025, at the University of Georgia Center for Continuing Education.

“Finding and honing in your voice is so important in this field because everyone’s journey is unique and it’s essential to acknowledge that your perspective matters,” said keynote speaker Willie Daniely III, reporter at WRAL. “You each have different stories, experiences that shape your point of view and passions that drive you to get involved in this field of journalism and I think it’s important that you don’t shy away from those perspectives that set you apart and make you unique.”

Daniely is a 2021 graduate of the University of Georgia’s Grady College of Journalism and Mass Communication.

Watch the full speech below.