An interest in how the media influences people compelled Incline High School’s valedictorian, Aislinn Murray, to pursue a degree in mass media communications and marketing. An interest in warm weather compelled her to pursue that major at the University of California, Berkeley.
“I’ve always been a good writer and how the media works captivates me,” Murray said. “I’m interested in how and why the media can influence people.”
She said the major is something she has been thinking about during her entire tenure at IHS. At different points during her tenure as editor in chief of the school newspaper, she has has considered majoring in journalism or public relations.
Murray said the most challenging grades to earn at IHS were chemistry and calculus.
“Math and science aren’t really my favorite things,” Murray said.
But, to become valedictorian a commitment to doing well in those areas is needed. So, Murray said she had to work harder at those two classes than she normally had to.
On the flip side, Murray said her favorite classes were Advanced Placement U.S. History, the “We The People” class and English classes.
She said she was drawn to the student newspaper because she enjoys planning big projects and being in charge of situations.
In her senior year, Murray took charge of planning “snowcoming,” an IHS event which mirrored homecoming for basketball season. It marked the first year IHS ever held snowcoming.
“A bunch of the seniors felt we wanted to do something neat for basketball season and I thought the event went really well,” Murray said.
Planning snowcoming meant putting together the king and queen ceremony and planning a pre-game carnival, which Murray said was a hit.
In addition to her academic pursuits, Murray also performed community service at the Reno Community Foundation, served in the student leadership class and played tennis for IHS.
Murray said attaining the status of valedictorian was never a goal for her.
“I never set out to get valedictorian, I know it’s competitive for some people, but I just never thought about it too much, I just wanted to get good grades,” Murray said.