Visit Stippy's website to find out how Hardy continues to learn about Japanese culture.  

Hardy gets her unbiased news information from the New York Times. Get current information by visiting the website. 

Unbiased journalist tells it how it is

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Any student knows the stresses involved with attending school and the pressure of good grades.  On top of the normal anxiety of school, try getting good grades while missing three to four days a week.  Amy Hardy had to face this.  She was very sick during her high school years, but she still managed to pull A’s. 

“Amy persevered through adversity and overcame obstacles in surprising ways. Amy is a big believer in getting the job done and is always looking at the bigger picture in life,” said Amy’s mother, Kathy Hardy.

After Hardy’s parents divorced, she lived with her mother and older sister in Madison, Wis.  Hardy did not have a religious up bringing or have political party preferences.

“Amy’s unbiased views are helpful when she explains to me where political candidates stand on their issues,” said Hardy’s roommate, Michelle Kochan.

Hardy is currently a senior at the University of Wisconsin–Eau Claire majoring in print journalism with a minor in Spanish.  With a 3.59 GPA, Hardy continues to do well in school.  She has no experience in public reporting or print journalism, Hardy is unsure where the road will take her after graduation in spring of 2009.  She does not believe it will be in the area of public affairs reporting, however. 

“I find it hard to relate to public affairs in general because when I look at Public Access TV all I see is a bunch of people I don’t know, debating about issues I don’t really understand,” said Hardy. 

She said that in order to make public affairs articles more interesting and accessible, the stories need to be shorter and placed on front pages of newspapers instead of being buried several pages deep.  Hardy believes this strategy would focus peoples’ attention on issues that may be affecting them. 

One of Hardy’s passions is for language. 

“People in America don’t just speak English anymore.  If something happens I want to be able to communicate with them without feeling helpless.  I want to be able to talk to anybody,” said Hardy.