06/11/2025
MAKING HEADLINES
Brighton High student revived school newspaper, has been bylined in Free Press
Ari Hickman has always enjoyed writing, but it was an eighth-grade assignment that helped shape her passion for journalism. h After leading the charge to revive her school newspaper at Brighton High and gaining some real-world experience, Hickman has earned a trip to the nation’s capital to further her skills. h Hickman, a freelance writer for The Daily, travels to Washington DC this month to participate in the Al Neuharth Free Spirit and Journalism Conference. Hickman will receive an all-expenses paid trip and $1,000 college scholarship for attending the conference, which takes place June 22-27.
Only one student from each state was chosen to attend the conference, hosted by Freedom Forum. Hickman is Michigan’s representative. She will attend conference panels and network with other high school journalists and professionals.
“I didn’t think I would get selected because it’s one kid from each state, and Michigan is a bigger state and there are so many amazing high school journalists already here,” Hickman told The Daily. “I fi�gured I might as well shoot my shot. When I got the email that I was chosen, I was just shocked and really happy.”
Hickman, 17, lives in South Lyon and will be a senior next year. Hickman said she became interested in writing when she was younger, with a passion for fi�ction stories. During an eighth grade English class, Hickman was assigned a feature article.
“I thought that was really interesting,” Hickman said. “Writing non-fi�ction was a big change, but I liked it.”
When she reached high school, Hickman knew she wanted to write for the school newspaper — but the class wasn’t off�ered anymore. During her sophomore year, she worked to revive The BHS Times as an after-school club. She is now editor-in-chief.
Hickman also serves as copyeditor for the BHS Yearbook. During the upcoming school year, the newspaper and yearbook will combine into a Media Publications Program. Hickman anticipates the class will have 25 students. She’ll serve as co-editor-in-chief of both publications her senior year. Soon-to-be Brighton High senior Ari Hickman is also a Livingston Daily freelance writer.
“It’s going to be an interesting transition, but I’m excited,” Hickman said. “It’s been a bit of a journey over the past two years, but I’m excited for next year to see how it’s going to change and hopefully grow.”
Hickman also began writing for The Daily during her sophomore year, after reaching out to Local Editor Cassandra Lybrink about supporting her school’s journalism club.
“I was floored by her prose and professionalism, and immediately asked if she’d be interested in freelancing for us,” Lybrink wrote in an email. “... It’s rare to find a high school student as dedicated as Ari, and particularly one with such a gift for the written word.”
In her time at The Daily thus far, Hickman has written about Destination Stars Hollow in Brighton, the long and storied history of Gus’ breadsticks, and the legacy of Howell’s Great Escape, among other topics. Her work has been carried by The Detroit Free Press.
“It’s been such an amazing opportunity,” Hickman said. “I really wasn’t expecting to hear back (from The Daily) at all, but to hear back, not only encouraging it but also this whole offer to be involved, was just amazing.”
Hickman has been able to take her real-world journalism experience to her high school newsroom.
“The Daily has really given me the opportunity to shape myself into the journalist I am today,” she said. “I really appreciate that.”
In addition to Lybrink, Hickman also credits BHS English teacher Kimberly Christiansen, her newspaper advisor, for supporting her. Christiansen told The Daily she couldn’t say enough good things about Hickman.
“Ari has a true passion for journalism. ... She has worked patiently and tirelessly to build up our news site, obtaining generous funding from the PTO and helping me in my first year as newspaper and yearbook advisor to merge the two publications into a cohesive program,” Christiansen said. “She will serve as an editor-in-chief for our Media Publications Program next year, and I am confident she will do amazing things.”
Hickman isn’t sure where she’ll attend college after she graduates from BHS in 2026. She wants to study journalism and public policy. For now, Hickman is focused on her senior year of high school.
“I want to make the most of it,” she said. “It’s my final year and I tend to get caught up in the academics, but I also want to be able to savor the last year with friends and the high school experience in general.
“I’m just grateful for everyone who has helped me and supported me.”
Read the school newspaper at bhstimes.org.
— Contact reporter Evan Sasiela at [email protected]. Follow him on X .
