Headshot Provided by:
Midwest Communications Inc. at the Great Lakes Broadcast & Sports Media Academy 2024
Journalism is a key aspect in our day to day life. My name is Cody Stedman and I am currently a Freshman at Washtenaw Community College in Michigan, majoring in Journalism. I have been a producer, director, anchor, and editor-in-chief. I have been awarded by the Michigan Interscholastic Press Association to be the Michigan's High School Journalist of the Year (2025), Editor-in-Chief of Design of The Salinian's 2025 award-winning book "All Things Considered", and Producer of Hornet Nation a MIPA Student Media Hall of Fame program during it's 11th season. I still believe I have much more to learn. But let me show you what I've done so far.
I can always improve my writing skills in the world of journalism. Journalism is always a changing world that takes adapting to different local, national, and international events happening every second. Improving my writing skills always takes practice. I always want to look for stepping stones that will help me toward a higher quality of writing or work ethic so that I can adapt and further my view of the industry.
As I have finished my senior year of high school, I have graduated with a 3.5 GPA and now attending Washtenaw Community College, majoring in Journalism. My personal goal is to gain an occupation in the broadcasting industry or an occupation in journalism or broadcast education. Some dream jobs include becoming a radio host for Michigan Public or being a news correspondent for Local 4 WDIV Detroit.
Entering my junior year, I attended the 2023 Great Lakes Broadcast & Sports Media Academy. That is where I met News Operations Manager at Local 4 WDIV Norm Fairhurst. I talked with him about my aspirations of entering the broadcasting industry, and on how much I look up to Jason Colthorp, a WDIV anchor. And I always remember how he looked at me with a straight face and said “I can make that happen.” Since then, I along with my Video News Production classmates had the great opportunity to tour Local 4 Studios, I job shadowed Jason Colthorp a few times, won 1st Place for a preview for Saline High School’s sports news show Hornet Nation, won the highest level of state recognition for high school journalism, the Spartan Award, for both SHS Today, Hornet Nation, and The Salinian Yearbook. And finally, I was given the honor of producing Hornet Nation for its 11th season, winning the MIPA Student Media Hall of Fame for the program.
I am now attending Washtenaw Community College, majoring in Journalism, participating in programs such as Orchard Radio, and plan to transfer through the 3+1 program at Eastern Michigan University, majoring in Media Studies & Journalism, while participating with the Eastern Echo student paper, Eagle Radio and E-TV production labs.
What I hope to achive is to make journalism a voice of truth and not a disease. What I mean by that is that I want to help those in the community to trust journalism again and not to spread fear or misinformation. Journalism has received good reviews, but mostly highlighted by what kind of slander is being used. Journalism should be a source for advising the public what is occurring around the world.
Spartan Award
2025
SHS Today (General Broadcast), Hornet Nation (Sports Broadcast), The Salinian Yearbook (Yearbook)
2024
SHS Today (General Broadcast), Hornet Nation (Sports Broadcast), The Salinian Yearbook (Yearbook)
2025 Michigan High School Journalist of the Year & All-MIPA Broadcast Scholarship Winner
MIPA Individual Awards 2025
First Place: VP-01 Commercial - SWWC: Video News Production Commercial
MIPA Individual Awards 2024
First Place: VP-01 Commercial - Hornet Nation Trailer for 23-24 Season
Michigan Interscholastic Press Association Individual Awards 2025
The Hornet Nation Trailer for 23-24 Season was, in all honesty, made on a whim because of my enthusiasm and energy entering the Video News Production program for my first year. This was produced by Cody Stedman, and co-edited by Raine Douglass
Won 1st Place in the VP-01 Commercial in the Michigan Interscholastic Press Association Individual Contest.
PREMIERE: 11.7.23
Michigan Interscholastic Press Association Individual Awards 2025
During the Summer of 2024, I created multiple template projects for our outros for the Video News Production class, one of those projects was based off of the hit TV show, House M.D., which Noah GreenLeaf, one of the anchors and a fellow House M.D. enjoyer created each shot in our studio.
PREMIERE: 10.16.24
For more info, visit Reporting & Writing and Design sections on this book
Michigan Interscholastic Press Association Spartan Award Recipient
As the Editor-In-Chief of Design of the 2025 Yearbook, I am proud to receive along with my former staffers for the 2024-2025 school year a Spartan Award. Initially, along with my co-editor-in-chief, we were very skeptical of winning this award. We graded the book lower in value, especially in the Reader Services section, because we did not believe that we were consistent enough throughout the book.
However, on October 2, 2025, we received our critique rubic back. To our suprise, we passed the threshold needed to qualify for Spartan status. Even with heavy critiques or as the judge presiding over the grading of our book called it "nitpicking". She believed that this book was to a certain level of professional journalism that it needed the nitpicking in order to improve even further.
"That's the level you're at, and it's a great place to be. Your book is fabulous and I loved that you tried new things. "
JEA Lifetime Achievement Award and Distinguished Yearbook Adviser Recipient
Kirkwood, MO
Spread: Cody Stedman and Karlie Smith | Editor: Sienna Trier
Michigan Interscholastic Press Association Individual Awards 2025
EXCERPT
"The auditorium was filled with over 300 students, 50 parents and 6 students, on the stage and under the spotlight, who spoke about their experiences and opinions on “The Next Chapter” of their high school lives and beyond. Each student speaker had been working toward this night since the previous school year, and when the night finally arrived, they spoke with passion and conviction. For returning speakers, like Neil Sachdeva (12), it was a new opportunity to be a leading example to others.
'My co-organizer Elizabeth Sandru (12) and I were inspired to host a second event to recreate and hopefully expand our community impact,' Sachdeva said. 'From the first event, I noticed how many people were able to learn about a wide variety of new topics.' From communication to representation, each speaker talked about their topics and impact that it could have, if the audience took action...."
2024 THE SALINIAN YEARBOOK "SO GLAD YOU ARE HERE"
Design Assistant