I am Sara DeBold a senior in agricultural journalism. I grew up outside the very small town of New Melle, Mo. I am the youngest of five and have four nephews and one niece. I love sports, mostly rugby, football and baseball. I played rugby for MU my first three years of school. I enjoy outdoor recreation including but not limited to fishing, camping, horseback riding, hiking and kayaking.

I choose agricultural journalism because it allows me to incorporate all the things I love into my writing and photography. My ultimate goal is to get a masters degree in Natural Resources and become a conservation agent. I expect that the writing, research and photography skills I acquire in agricultural journalism will make me very marketable in the future.

My name is Whitney Gray. I am from Kansas City, Mo., but my family and I moved to Lee’s Summit, Mo. Just recently I switched my major to agricultural journalism. I chose this major because at one point I thought I wanted to be a veterinarian, but my true passion is writing about animals, nature, the environment and the atmosphere. So, I figured I would switch my major to journalism, follow the magazine and photojournalism sequence, take a few science courses and hopefully get a job with National Geographic.

When I found out about agricultural journalism, I knew this was the major I had been looking for. I have always been enthusiastic about creative writing, basically any type of writing, though I have never written for a publication or newspaper. I am confident that the agricultural journalism program in alliance with the School of Journalism will teach and prepare me for the real world of journalism so that I will be successful in any internship or job offered to me in my field of business.

My goals are to finish in no more than five years, get my master's in journalism, join the Journalism-Law graduate program, and get my JD in law. I would still like to work for National Geographic as both a writer and photographer. At the moment, I am focused on getting through my prerequisites and making it to the fun classes in atmospheric sciences, biotechnology, and natural resources. I strongly believe that I will have a good and productive time in this program.

I am Abby Grimmett, a sophomore agricultural journalism major from rural Monroe County, Mo. I grew up on my family’s Century Farm near Perry, Mo., and graduated from nearby Paris High School. I was very active as a high school student, mainly within the FFA where I was highly recognized in public speaking competitions and performance events.

Now a 19-year-old sophomore, I have continued my involvement here at Mizzou. I serve on the public relations committee of my sorority, Kappa Kappa Gamma, and I work with the College's recruitment office as a CAFNR Ambassador. You can find me daily running about the CAFNR academic programs office as I work for Roy Robinson, director of CAFNR study abroad programs.

I have always enjoyed writing and have also developed an interest in photography. This is my first semester as a staff member of CAFNR Corner Post.

My name is Kaity Kerwin, and I am a freshman majoring in agricultural journalism. A native of Stanberry, Mo., I grew up on a small farm with my parents and my brother and sister. I am an outgoing, determined person, and I accredit my agricultural background for that.

I graduated from Stanberry High School in 2007 and chose MU as my new home. I began as an english education major but soon fell in love with everything about CAFNR and the agricultural journalism program. I am involved in Sigma Alpha Professional Agricultural Sorority, Agricultural Communicators of Tomorrow, and work for CAFNR Career Services.

Even though I am most interested both in editing and in strategic communications, I also love to write.  I am very excited to write for Corner Post this semester.

My name is Emily Schmidt, and I am from Springfield, Ill. I am a sophomore, but only second semester MU student. I am majoring in agricultural journalism. Back at home, I have four younger brothers who are die-hard Illini fans, so sometimes I wonder if I was born into the wrong family!

I hope to graduate early and move to the east coast, preferably South Carolina. There I want to write for the tourism bureau and make brochures about historical South Carolina monuments.

I love print journalism because you can instantly see your accomplishments.

I love looking back to see what I have done in the past year. Writing can help you in so many ways and I think becoming a journalism major is one of the best things I have done.

My secret passion is to be an interior designer, I love home renovation shows on TLC and HGTV. Right now I am sticking with agricultural journalism at Mizzou, but who knows what the future holds!

I’m Kathleen Sprouse, a freshman pursuing agricultural broadcast journalism from Leawood, Kan. Although I grew up in the suburbs, I developed my interest in agriculture by spending time at our family's beef farm in Braymer, Mo. I hope to work as a news anchor, and my dream job would be reporting for the Travel Channel.

I have two older sisters who attend Kansas State University and a younger sister in elementary school. My favorite place I have visited is Costa Rica. I enjoy photography, traveling, skiing, writing and football. My friends would describe me as daring, positive and enthusiastic.

I am excited to be at Mizzou and looking forward to my second semester writing for CAFNR Corner Post.