Finley Williams

The editor in chief of the school newspaper, Finley is compelled by American social movements and thrives in the humanities. She loves literature, philosophy, and language. As explained by her English teacher, she is a truth seeker and has an endless amount of energy to ensure her reporting is accurate, insightful, compassionate, and, if possible, connected to relatable historic events. During teacher strikes in Chicago last year, while other students were understandably at home, sleeping in or playing video games, Finley was on the picket line at 6:30 a.m. every single day, in rain or frigid temperatures, covering the story for the newspaper. She maintains a strict approach of bipartisan, objective reporting. She believes it is a civic duty for the media to keep those in power honest, and that unbiased truth should influence policy-making.

Finley was voted her school’s Most Valuable Tutor because she truly cares about helping others and providing them with the best possible service. In an unprecedented moment at the 2019 International Writing Centers Association Conference, Finley was named the first-ever high school winner of the International Writing Centers Association Future Leaders Award. In 2020, she was the only high school student published in the elite The Writing Lab Newsletter.

Finley is active in the Chicago art scene, has completed three internships at the Chicago Public Library and the Art Institute, created a video commemorating the 50th anniversary of the Picasso statue in Downtown Chicago, and helped plan ChiTeen Lit Fest, a literature festival for Chicago youth. She plans to study history with a concentration in peace and conflict studies.