By Katherine Rasmussen
Some stories begin not with a plot twist, but with a conversation, for senior Kailyn Huynh, that conversation was with her mother. It happened in seventh grade, during a school project that asked her to interview someone about their life. She chose her mom and wrote about her immigrant experience of moving to the U.S. from Vietnam.
“That’s when I really started to like writing,” Huynh explained. “I just fell in love with the language. It felt like a way to express myself and connect with others.”
That project became a turning point. She shared the finished piece with her cousin, who told her something she still remembers: You should be a writer. That simple encouragement made her consider that maybe writing could be more than a passing interest.
Now, years later, Huynh is a writer for Baron Banner, where she continues to explore storytelling in all its forms. She also serves as the head photo manager, a role that allows her to bring stories to life through both imagery and words.
“I joined Baron Banner because I wanted to improve my writing and be more connected with the community,” Huynh said. “I was going into high school as a freshman and wanted to meet new people and get my work out there.”
But the influence of her mom and her family in general remains at the heart of her journey.
“My mom has always been my biggest supporter,” Huynh said. “Even now, she reads my blog, and we’ll talk about the things I write. If I go to a writing competition, she’s there. She’ll bring me flowers. She’s really proud of me, and that means a lot.”
Her blog, “Film and Feather’’, began as a class project in her sophomore year. The name combines her two creative passions: film for her photography, and feathers as a symbol of writing.
“It’s basically a space where I combine film photos and writing,” Huynh said. “It’s about the people I’ve met, the connections I’ve made, and how my experiences have shaped me.”
As Head Photo Manager, her eye for visual storytelling has helped elevate both her own work and the work of others on staff. She captures stories in snapshots, pairing them with words to preserve memories and emotions.
She doesn’t limit her writing to those closest to her.
“Sometimes I write about people I’m not really close to,” Huynh said. “I think even passing moments with people can have a lot of value. You can learn something meaningful from anyone.”
Outside of the newsroom, Huynh is a varsity basketball player, bringing the same discipline, focus, and quiet determination to the court as she does to her creative work.
“Basketball has taught me how to work hard and how to be consistent,” Huynh said. “It’s not that different from writing. In both, you’re always trying to get better. You’re learning from your mistakes and trying to make an impact.”
She isn’t driven by recognition, but by connection.
“My goal is just to have an impact through my writing,” Huynh said. “I want to help people connect, to break down the borders we sometimes put up. Writing lets us relate to each other through shared feelings and emotions.”
Her future is still unfolding, but she’s considering two paths: law or journalism.
“I’m really interested in being at the front of things,” Huynh said. “With journalism, you’re where the action happens. And with law, you’re constantly fighting for what you believe in. Either way, I want to make a difference.”
That ambition extends far beyond the page.
When asked who she looks up to, Huynh approaches the question with a different response.
“I don’t have a favorite role model,” Huynh said. “But I take parts from all the people I know. My friends are really ambitious, so I try to be ambitious like them. My mom is so selfless, and I want to be like her. I surround myself with people I want to grow into.”
And maybe that’s what defines Huynh most: someone who listens deeply, observes the world around her, and transforms those moments into meaning. She doesn’t write to impress. She writes to understand, to connect, and to preserve the fleeting beauty of everyday life.
It all started with a story about her mom. And now, Huynh is writing a story all on her own.