My name is Foster Guns and I am from Kill Devil Hills, North Carolina. I am a rising sophomore double majoring in B.A. Political Science and Media/Journalism on the Journalism track. I am an assured admit to the UNC Hussman School of Journalism and Media, and I work as a NCSMA Communications/Marketing Assistant.
My love for journalism
I began taking journalism classes my freshman year of high school, and was on staff for my school’s newspaper, Nighthawk News, and yearbook, Shorelines, by sophomore year. I held many different titles over the four years I was a journalism student, and both of our publications earned Tar Heel award from the state all three years I was on staff. My sophomore year, our fall paper was entitled “The Drug Edition”, written it in the wake of one of our students dying of a fentanyl overdose. “The Drug Edition” would go on to win the Robert F. Kennedy Journalism Award.
Editor-in-Chief of Shorelines Yearbook
Online Editor-in-Chief of Nighthawk News
Social Media Editor for Shorelines Yearbook
Social Media Manager for Nighthawk News
Why Carolina?
I had never planned on attending UNC Chapel Hill until my junior year of high school, when I was invited to a journalism camp run by NCSMA. The school’s prestigious Hussman School drew me in. I got accepted into both UNC Chapel Hill and the Hussman School in winter of my senior year of high school and never looked back!
Living on the Outer Banks
One of my favorite fun facts about me is that I am from Kill Devil Hills, North Carolina, the place where the Wright Brothers took the first flight in history! Growing up on the beach was a formative part of who I am and what I love to do. With such rich history being a five minute walk from my house, and the beach being a six minute walk, I learned a lot about tourism, history, and what it is like to live where people vacation!
Activities and interests
Living on a remote sandbar can get boring, so over my years I have joined sports and clubs, as well as picked up new hobbies that can be utilized in journalistic ways.
Dance
I have danced for 15 years, my favorite styles being tap, contemporary, and lyrical.
Volleyball
I played school and travel volleyball for six years, and following a career-ending injury, I coached a 14U girls team for my travel volleyball club.
Photography
I did photography for my school’s yearbook and newspaper for four years, and continue to do recreational photography.