Julianna is a senior at Highlands High School, and this is her first year as a member of the Highlands journalism program. From a very young age, she was an avid reader. She began writing early too, serving on the staff of the Moyer Elementary newspaper, The Horse’s Mouth, for two years. She always knew that storytelling would play a part in her future.
In middle and high school, her journey in storytelling took an unexpected turn. For seven years, Julianna dedicated her time and energy to the Highlands film and broadcasting program. In 2019, she was selected to be a Student Voice Journalism Fellow, reviving her drive to produce written pieces too. Now, she’s doing both and she’s loving every second of it. As a staffer of The Hilltopper, she hopes to help bridge the divide between the broadcasting and print journalism programs at Highlands, showing other conflicted students how seamlessly the two fields intersect.
In addition to being a student journalist, Julianna is also a director within the Highlands broadcasting department and an attorney on the Highlands Mock Trial Team. She is deeply involved in advocacy work outside of school, from working on a U.S. Senate campaign to interning with a local voter empowerment organization, Kentuckians for the Commonwealth.
Journalism is truly the fourth branch of government, a vital check on our democratic system. Julianna will keep that purpose in mind as she produces public-service, multimedia journalism even after she leaves The Hilltopper.
In middle and high school, her journey in storytelling took an unexpected turn. For seven years, Julianna dedicated her time and energy to the Highlands film and broadcasting program. In 2019, she was selected to be a Student Voice Journalism Fellow, reviving her drive to produce written pieces too. Now, she’s doing both and she’s loving every second of it. As a staffer of The Hilltopper, she hopes to help bridge the divide between the broadcasting and print journalism programs at Highlands, showing other conflicted students how seamlessly the two fields intersect.
In addition to being a student journalist, Julianna is also a director within the Highlands broadcasting department and an attorney on the Highlands Mock Trial Team. She is deeply involved in advocacy work outside of school, from working on a U.S. Senate campaign to interning with a local voter empowerment organization, Kentuckians for the Commonwealth.
Journalism is truly the fourth branch of government, a vital check on our democratic system. Julianna will keep that purpose in mind as she produces public-service, multimedia journalism even after she leaves The Hilltopper.
Julianna Russ, Staff
| Jan 22, 2021 | Gone in the Fog: One teacher’s pursuit of the truth, fifty years later (Story/Media) |
| Jan 21, 2021 | History made as Biden and Harris are inaugurated, completing peaceful transfer of power (Story) |
| Jan 13, 2021 | Highlands Bowling Birds knock out Newport Central Catholic in season opener (Story/Media) |
| Jan 07, 2021 | A Date to Live Forever in Infamy: United States Capitol rampaged in unprecedented domestic terror attack (Story) |
| Dec 11, 2020 | Book Review: And Then There Were None by Agatha Christie (Story) |
| Dec 07, 2020 | Connie Kremer: The passion of an established attorney (Story/Media) |
| Nov 23, 2020 | Chay Rust: The passion of an aspiring filmmaker (Story) |
| Nov 16, 2020 | Scrap Wood Syd: The passion of a student woodworker (Story/Media) |
| Nov 09, 2020 | The Anatomy of Passion (Story/Media) |
| Oct 13, 2020 | With Privilege Comes Responsibility – three soccer players take a knee, protesting institutionalized racism (Story) |
| Oct 13, 2020 | Bluebirdies give it their all at state golf competition, finishing season strong (Story/Media) |
| Oct 08, 2020 | Civility takes the stage, with policy a primary focus during vice presidential debate (Story) |
| Oct 05, 2020 | Girls Soccer defeats Second-Ranked Team Lafayette in Saturday Shutout (Story) |
| Sep 30, 2020 | Chaos spells confusion for undecided voters in first presidential debate (Story) |
| Sep 25, 2020 | Highlands starts in-person instruction with an untraditional second first day of school (Media) |
| Sep 21, 2020 | Bluebirds succeed at Kentucky All-State Golf Championship, with prep for regional tournament underway (Story/Media) |
| Sep 18, 2020 | As COVID-19 pandemic continues, Bluebirds find silver linings (Story) |
| Sep 18, 2020 | Highlands football moves forward following Simon Kenton loss, ready to tackle Ryle Raiders (Story) |
| Sep 11, 2020 | The Ultimate Guide to Test-Optional Admissions (Story) |