Integrity, honesty, and a willingness to pursue the truth mark the key qualities of journalists. Pulitzer Prize-winner, Jose Vargas, echoed the true meaning of these vital characteristics during his keynote speech at the JEA/NSPA Convention, April 14.

In his speech he detailed his own personal truths and how they led him to pursue justice through his use of the pen. All journalists, scholastic and professional, should embrace these qualities and personify them as Vargas exemplifies.

The role of the journalist is to pursue and report the truth. When writers begin their story they are to start with interviews, the pursuit of information to validate their article. As they begin following this information, the truth of the story may evolve and their insights into the subject may change as a result.

Journalists should embrace this change and open their perspectives to other ideas.

People are often drawn to their own preconceived opinions however, trying to resist the new perspectives and new information that they interact with. Though people are entitled to their opinion, a journalist is held to a different, higher standard.

As new information reveals itself, new ideas must be adopted; the journalist must evolve and eclipse their previous understanding. They cannot hang on to previous faulty information and unjustified former opinions.

This Mountain View High School student, and Oracle reporter grew through his high school scholastic experience and has shown what young journalists can become. That storytelling and pursuing the truth is a powerful tool, a tool that everyone can use. Through his example, Vargas demonstrates that he is not only a pinnacle of journalistic success, but that he is also one of us. — The Feather Staff

As young journalists gain greater knowledge and they advance their perspectives, searching for truth and how to pursue it, their integrity and honesty plays a greater role in their career.

Vargas lives out integrity in revealing himself as an undocumented citizen in “My Life as an Undocumented Immigrant” published by The New York Times. He confessed to multiple immigration crimes in this story to speak out against unfair immigration laws and deportation, even though doing so put him at risk.

Vargas’ demonstrates through his moral stance that journalists not only pursue truth, but stand up for what they believe, speaking out against injustice.

Even though Vargas publicly confessed to these crimes and awaited the government to deport him, no officials ever came. In pursuit of truth, Vargas called Homeland Security. Though the government did not give him an answer as to why he was not deported, he was able to use the interaction as an example of how journalists are to pursue the truth in all things, despite personal risk.

This Mountain View High School student, and Oracle reporter grew through his high school scholastic experience and has shown what young journalists can become. That storytelling and pursuing the truth is a powerful tool, a tool that everyone can use. Through his example, Vargas demonstrates that he is not only a pinnacle of journalistic success, but that he is also one of us.

Please follow Jose Vargas on Twitter: @joseiswriting. Please visit his websites emergingus.com and defineamerican.com.

For the previous editorial, please read EDITORIAL: Success cultivated via self-determination, influences.