Published on Aug. 8, 2023
An avid admirer of words, Ivy Reed jumped at the chance to join the Globe, Clayton High School’s Newsmagazine, during her freshman year. By the time her junior year rolled around, her passion for writing – and a lot of hard work – landed her a spot as an editor-in-chief of the publication, a role she continued during her senior year as well.
Reed’s time with the Globe gave her the freedom to stretch her creative muscles and develop her writing style. She will soon be expanding those skills even further at the University of Missouri. Reed will join the Missouri School of Journalism to learn from the experts within the J-School.
“What I really loved about student journalism was the freedom to write about anything that piqued my interest,” said Reed, who is from Clayton, Missouri, a suburb of St. Louis. “In high school, students are typically only exposed to essay-style writing, and I knew I wanted to do a bit more. Working for the newsmagazine really allowed me to grow as a storyteller.”
While Reed had an interest in MU due to its outstanding journalism program, it was being named a Stamps Scholar that sold her on attending. Mizzou has partnered with the Stamps Scholars Program since 2016 on a premier scholarship for incoming Tigers. Scholars receive a full four-year scholarship, covering up to the total estimated cost of attendance, plus an additional $16,000 enrichment fund for them to use throughout their time at MU.
“The Stamps interview weekend is really what made me excited about coming to MU,” Reed said. “I learned so much about the campus and the opportunities that would be available to me if I became a Tiger. The people were so welcoming and kind. Each person I met during the weekend had their own interest that they were passionate about, and that really drew me into the Stamps community. The entire experience really solidified that I needed to be at Mizzou.”
Stamps Scholars must be enrolled in the Honors College for all four years, working toward the completion of the Honors certificate. Scholars have a dedicated mentor, contact with campus leadership, alumni networking opportunities and funding for study abroad, too.
Reed is one of eight Stamps Scholars who will be at Mizzou this fall.
“What I love about the Stamps is that it really encourages intellectual curiosity and freedom,” Reed said. “I’m so grateful for the opportunities that the scholarship is going to give me to explore what I’m passionate about. I’m excited to see where those opportunities take me.”
It took just two stories with the Globe for a freshman Reed to realize that writing was going to play a major role in her life. That second story highlighted affordable housing options in Clayton. It hit close to home, as there were a handful of duplexes being converted to expensive single-family houses on the street Reed grew up on. She said it was fascinating to dive into the subject matter and learn more about the ramifications of the change.
“Through my work, I was able to see the layers underneath something that I had walked by every day,” Reed said. “I never really put much thought into what those changes actually meant on a larger scale. It was my first taste of what I’ve grown to love about journalism – it enables you dig beneath the surface.”
Reed said she loves talking with people and is looking forward to interacting with many individuals while at MU. She added that she is excited to be part of the Missouri Method, too. The Missouri School of Journalism’s real-world approach to journalism education, the Missouri Method is centered on learning by doing.
“The J-School obviously has a stellar reputation, and I’m excited to see the hands-on learning opportunities that I will have,” Reed said. “With journalism, you usually learn best by diving in and participating in the work. The Missouri Method really exemplifies that, as it combines the learning and the doing.”
Reed is also interested in pursuing a degree in constitutional democracy at Mizzou. It was the Stamps interview weekend that showed her how the two degrees complement each other.
“I talked with a couple of Stamps Scholars who are pursuing both degrees, and it was really interesting to hear how they relate,” Reed said. “History is an essential tool for understanding how our world works. To tell any story, you have to learn what came before. I’ve also grown up in a very interesting era of American politics, so I think it will be eye-opening to really understand the intellectual beginnings of our political system.”
As a Stamps Scholar, Reed will also participate in a research project led by an MU faculty mentor. While she hasn’t been a part of a research project before, she said the opportunity is just another chance for her to grow her skills as a communicator.
“I’m not really sure what format my research will take, but I’m excited for that experience,” Reed said. “I would like my research to center around the role of journalism in society and the impact of the free press. Whatever I end up doing, it’s going to be such a rewarding experience. I can’t wait to get started.”