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By Amy Fink

Me working for my high school TV station in fall 2000.

Who knew a passion for broadcast journalism would lead to a flirtation with criminal activity?

As I passed through the threshold of the back entrance to West Orange High School early one Saturday morning, I knew I wasn't doing something entirely legal. As executive producer of the high school television station, it was my responsibility to complete the final edit of the semimonthly news show in time for the 8 a.m. Monday deadline.

However, a long school week had left me with little motivation to stay after class that Friday afternoon. So before going home, I had pocketed the editing room key from the journalism teacher's top desk drawer with a plan to still meet my deadline.

Walking down the dark high school hallway the next morning, I realized it was just me and the janitors. Quietly, I slipped into the TV studio to begin editing, and two hours later, the show was complete. In a hurry to leave the deserted school, I flung open the studio door.

Next thing I knew, a mop-toting man was staring at me with disapproving eyes. My heart was racing. Fearing the worst, I lied as best I could.

The janitor may not have bought it, but he let me go.

I didn't choose broadcasting to lead a life of crime. Honestly, I'm probably the last person you would call a rebel. I was always the quiet girl who led the boring life.

But journalism changed that. The adrenaline rush I felt that morning after escaping the janitor became an addiction--an addiction that would follow me throughout my college journalism career.

Broadcasting lets me test my limits.

Posing with the consumer unit crew at WRC-TV NBC4 in summer 2004. I'm in the top row, second from the right. Photo by Jim Handly

Over the past three years, I've become gutsy, willing to take risks for the sake of journalism. My quietness disappears when I get near a video camera.

Last summer, I made about 1,000 phone calls while interning in the consumer unit at NBC4 in Washington, D.C., managing to strike up conversations with strangers with ease.

In a single semester, I've managed to get kicked out of a movie theater, a mall, a supermarket and a hotel. Each experience brought back that same addictive adrenaline rush I experienced in my high school hallway.

But for the record, my criminal background is still clear.