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Whiz Kid: Rozy Kanjee

Niles West High School's Editor-in-Chief engages readership and pursues dreams.

Whiz Kid: Rozy Kanjee, Editor-in-Chief, Niles West News

Age: 18

Grade: Senior

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School:  Niles West High School

Accomplishments:  Kanjee has been a key driver behind the success of the Niles West News, Niles West’s online newspaper. Launched in September 2010, the newspaper recently received its 100,000th page view and now attracts between 20,000 - 25,000 hits per month, many of which come from overseas.

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Kanjee is gratified for the exposure the Niles West News has received, as well as for the role it plays in engaging the readership with the important issues of the day.

“Many of our stories receive multiple comments from students, and the newspaper provides a platform to convey important messages to the administration and school board,” Kanjee said.

The Niles West News was also recently named as an Online Pacemaker Finalist by the National Scholastic Press Association (NSPA) in 2011. Newspapers were evaluated on their content, design, writing and editing, media and breaking news. Winners will be named in April. 

Kanjee leads a team of eight reporters, and about 30 other students involved in the newspaper’s freelance writing, production, and broadcast operations. Kanjee also writes her own opinion column, Stop and Smell the Rozy.  

Key to Awesomeness:  In one word - passion. “I love doing journalism because every story has something new and different to offer, and it never makes me bored,” Kanjee said.

Some of that passion is illustrated by her recent article about Niles West students striking in support of collective bargaining rights  which was also covered by Skokie Patch .

Kanjee personally participated in the student walkout, which resulted in a stint in student detention -- a first in her years at Niles West. 

Kanjee’s faculty advisor, Evelyn Lauer, had this to say about Kanjee:  “Rozy is a great reporter, quick-witted, thinks quickly on her feet, and has a great nose for news. She is a natural leader and fellow students look up to her. I couldn’t be more pleased that she took on this challenge and by the success by she has achieved.”

Yet Kanjee’s activities are not limited to journalism.

She holds an officer position and is active with the Council for Exceptional Children, an organization that supports special needs youngsters.  Kanjee is also President of the Astronomy Club.  Her favorite celestial body is the M1 Galaxy, which she finds to be quite beautiful.  Kanjee looks forward to pursuing her studies in journalism at either the University of Iowa or the University of Illinois.

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