A simple question, but it led me here

Aloha Kauai,

My name is Averie Soto and I’m a reporter with The Garden Island. I have been working for TGI since November and greatly enjoy creating features and local news stories for the island.

Since I first held a pen in my hand, I knew writing was my passion and I explored that passion in high school and college. As a teenager, I spent a great majority of my time fashioning stories about horror, adventure and love. However, it was a conversation with my father that turned me from fictional writing to professional journalism.

As he and I drove into Lihue, I sat in the car pondering my blurry future. I became so lost in my own head that I barely noticed my dad speaking to me. After a long silence he said, “So, what are you going to do about college?”

My heart sank as I was unsure of how to use my talents.

“I’m not sure,” I said.

“Well,” my dad said, glancing at me. “You like writing, why don’t you become a journalist?”

Such a simple question. But it was in that instant something clicked inside me and my future became clear.

As I attended Kauai Community College, I worked my way up the journalism ladder and, after graduation, attended The University of Hawaii at Manoa.

As I started my first semester, I soon learned the world of journalism was more than just the pen with which I felt comfortable. It included camera work, time management and a great deal of patience.

After two years, I graduated from U.H. Manoa with my bachelor’s degree and moved back to Kauai.

I know now that working toward goals is never easy but the struggles and challenges people face aren’t immovable obstacles, rather doors that simply need a strong push. As I continue to work as a journalist, I know I’ll have more doors to open, and I look forward to facing them.

Now that 2015 has arrived, My New Year’s resolution is to continue sharpening my skills as a writer so I not only become a good journalist, but a great one.