Long before Deneesha Edwards wrote her first lede, she wrote poetry for her single mother and grandmother. The 22-year-old Concord , N.C. , native had the desire to be a journalist even before she went to college.

"I always knew that I wanted to write for a newspaper because even in junior high, I loved to write poetry and short stories," said Edwards, a graduate of North Carolina Central University . "After I did my first internship, I knew for certain that I wanted to work for a newspaper because it gave me a feel of what the profession is about." Edwards said she is a quiet, hardworking person who keeps religion in the forefront of her life.

"My belief in God is what makes me because without him, I wouldn't be the person that I am today," Edwards said. "My faith in God has served as my motivation from high school until now."

Five years from now, Edwards plans to work with a city newspaper while working to start her own magazine.

"I have always wanted to work for a newspaper like the New York Times," Edwards said. "If I can accomplish that goal, then there are no limits to what I can achieve."

WENDELL GRAVES