Trust the process. Those three words were the focus for The Prowler when the school year began last August. For me, it was the words I needed to hear. My first year of writing for The Prowler encompassed taking in as much as I could and never ceasing to develop my skills.

Flashback to January 2019. I actually wanted to enter Justin Spencer’s journalism class the previous two years, but each time I decided I wanted to do it I was too late. Then I got to know Spencer through my sophomore literature and composition class and I finally made the decision to apply on time.

One fairly stress-inducing interview later, I was in. I knew right away I wanted to write about sports. Over the past few years I developed a liking for sports, and writing about them seemed more like a passion project than a high school class.

My goal for the year was simple: trust the process and do my thing. I had a wonderful mentor in Ben Barkley who gave me all the tools in the world to improve myself as a journalist. My first few months involved me learning from him and making my writing my own.

After I started gaining an understanding of what to do, I hit the ground running, I wrote my first official story, filmed my first “Coach’s Corner,” and wrote an analysis story all just a little over my first month of being in the program. I was raw, but I had a hunger to do this. These first opportunities led the way for more improvement in the future.

More and more I wrote. I continued to trust the process and my writing would gradually improve. Through it all I witnessed some memorable moments: a back-and-forth softball region championship series, a nail-biting volleyball state semifinal match, and a winner-take-all finale for a historical football state quarterfinal game.

To witness and cover sports was truly a blessing. However, it did not come without its own price. I did it so much it started taking a mental toll. With that, two AP classes, and a part-time job, I was managing a lot of things. However, I loved doing all those things, maybe the AP classes not as much, but I kept on rolling.

As I continued doing my thing, my writing was getting better and better. In December I spent an entire day covering Queens of the Hardwood, a wonderful event that garnered the attention of Kyle Sandy, the lead journalist for all things GHSA basketball. The opportunity served to get my name out to a larger audience.

By January of this year, I was finally figuring things out. It was at the end of this month that I put out a quality analysis of Panther basketball that won me my first Best of SNO award. It was a proud moment for me and the instant that I realized that I can write. Then I proceeded to write another Best of SNO-winning story about Andy Reid days later.

Needless to say, I was riding high after these events. I continued to do what I was doing, and it even landed me a commentating gig with Steam City for the basketball region championships. I was enjoying every second of involving myself in the sports world.

But then all the things I was doing caught up to me. I started falling into a bit of a slump, and while I was not at my worst, I was far from my best. It took a little time, but I picked myself up and focused on continuing to make myself better while keeping a good state of mind. I was feeling good and excited with all the sports covering and announcing I was doing. There was even my new bracket challenge to look forward to.

Then everything changed when COVID-19 halted sports throughout the state.

Of course, with all the sports gone, I would say I got hit hard by the effects of the pandemic. Personally, though, I had some time to focus on me and find out where I wanted to go once sports returned. In asking myself what to do, I gave myself an answer to why I love what I do.

It took me years to realize how amazing sports are. I used to ignore and not want anything to do with sports. By the time I changed my mind, I was too late to get into any high school sports. Despite the window closing, I still loved sports for what they are.

As a sports writer, I was there covering some phenomenal, hard-fought victories. But I was also there during some heart-breaking, emotional moments. I’ve developed an emotional connection to sports because of all the situations I’ve been a part of.

Having been through so much, I continue to do what I do for the love of the craft of storytelling. At the end of the day, I am writing sports, not only because I want to be there to tell the story, but also because in my heart I am a sports fan.

Now, I am The Prowler’s Sports Editor. Many ups and downs brought me here. I cannot say what is going to happen in the future, but you can bet I am going to be there for it. I now know I have a knack for writing, and I want to see what I can do with it. I know I can make a positive impact with what I can do. It is up to me to make it happen.

I am thankful for all the athletes and coaches that have let me be a part of their journey. I am thankful for Ben, who has been a fantastic mentor to me. Finally, I am thankful for all those who have supported me and what I am doing.

Now is my time to lead. Despite all the uncertainty of the future, I’m ready to see what comes next. My name is Daniel Stackhouse, and I am your Sports Editor for The Prowler. With 81 stories to my name, I cannot wait to see what parts of school and local history I have the opportunity to tell next!