Blog 4: Katharine Dietzen

I’m so excited to talk about the fourth person who has made a significant impact on my life. As you’ve read, this blog series is dedicated to the people who have shaped me into who I am today. With the past few posts being a bit heavy, I thought we could switch things up and talk about how I got to UNC (go Heels!).

Throughout my education, my mom didn’t want me to switch schools despite our frequent moves. Since she’s a teacher, she had the ability to choose where I attended. This ultimately led me to one of the worst-performing schools in the area. I loved being close to my mom and staying with my friends, so I ended up going to high school at Heide Trask Senior High School.

Heide Trask is in the middle of a small town called Rocky Point. There isn’t much to it—the best grocery store is a Food Lion, and the closest Starbucks was a 30-minute drive away (a tragedy for high schoolers, as you can imagine). I dreaded this town for a long time. I never felt like I fit in, and I didn’t think it could get me where I wanted to go.

Before freshman year, my best friend and I attended an open house and wandered into the journalism classroom, where we impulsively filled out applications. We were told this was the first time freshmen were being considered for the program. I anxiously completed the application and waited. A few weeks later, we found out we were the first two freshmen admitted into the journalism program at our high school.

I spent four years in this program, and I don’t think I could ever fully express what Katharine Dietzen taught me. When I first walked into journalism, I was anxious and reserved. After losing my father, I had become even more withdrawn. But Mrs. Dietzen saw right through the walls I had built around myself.

Journalism became more than just a class—it was a family and a place where I could be myself without fear. We played games, bonded every day, and formed lifelong connections. This environment helped me grow more comfortable speaking in front of groups, something I had never been confident in before.

Mrs. Dietzen became a guiding presence in my life, offering both wisdom and comfort as we spoke about grief. As we grew closer, she provided heartfelt advice and reassurance, helping me navigate the loss of my father. It meant a great deal to have someone to confide in—someone who understood the weight of loss yet wasn’t directly connected to him. Her support allowed me to process my grief in a way I hadn’t before, giving me a sense of solace and perspective when I needed it most.

It was also in this class that I discovered my passion for writing. Before then, I had no idea this was something I excelled at. I learned to love the meticulous process of writing—interviewing people, crafting their stories, and refining my work. When I became an editor, I realized just how much I had learned. As I guided new writers through edits, I covered their pages in red ink, feeling guilty about marking up their work. But in doing so, I recognized that I truly understood the rules of journalistic writing.

Spending four years in this course gave me the privilege of learning so many aspects of journalism, but most importantly, it showed me that I loved writing.

When it came time to apply to colleges during my senior year, I applied to eight. I was completely unsure of where I wanted to go or where I even had the potential to go. Unfortunately, our college advisors weren’t very helpful, and I struggled to find the guidance I needed.

That’s where Mrs. Dietzen stepped in. As an anxious senior, I was terrified that my college essay wasn’t good enough. Mrs. Dietzen told me to stay after school, dedicating her time to helping me refine it. She spent at least one afternoon—often two or three—a week for months, helping me edit my college essay, scholarship applications, and eventually, my valedictorian speech.

Through it all, she never made me feel guilty for needing reassurance. She provided guidance, advice, and constant encouragement, assuring me that I would end up exactly where I was meant to be.

A few months later, I received my acceptance into the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill as an English major. Without Mrs. Dietzen’s support, I don’t believe I would have made it this far.

Because of her, I can now look back on my time at Heide Trask Senior High School with fondness. Having a teacher who goes above and beyond for her students is a rare and profound experience. The love and effort she pours into the journalism program is undeniable. Heide Trask Senior High School is incredibly lucky to have her.

Being part of that program was one of the best chapters of my life. It allowed me to come to UNC and gain so many more opportunities. I consider myself fortunate to know Katharine Dietzen—not just because she was an amazing teacher, but because she is a genuinely kind person who cares deeply about her students and does everything in her power to help them succeed.

Thank you, Mrs. Dietzen, for always pushing me to be the best version of myself and for showing me that I am capable of great things.