I attend the Walter Cronkite School of Journalism at ASU and they really stress integrity, objectivity and professionalism in the news industry. Every year the Cronkite School gives out an award to a journalist they believe embodies and exceeds the values of reporting factual news.

This year the award went to Anderson Cooper.

Since I was little I have always looked up to Mr. Cooper. I would watch him on the news pretty regularly because my mom really enjoyed watching his reporting.

When I decided to get into journalism, he was always the person I'd have in the back of my mind that I wanted to embody. I saw him as someone who didn't really care what other people thought and would put his heart and soul into every story.

I'd see Anderson Cooper going into these scary scenarios where he would actually speak with the locals in these communities and be extremely kind and personable in his interviewing.

Today, all of my childhood opinions and perceptions about him couldn't have been truer.

Anderson Cooper is one of the most down to earth people I have ever had the pleasure of hearing speak. He continued to make comments about how he doesn't see himself as any better or higher up than anyone else. If he sees you on the street and you say hello, he'll say hello right back.

There is no wonder his interviews have been so great. He connects with the people, no matter who you are.

He made the effort to spend time only speaking to us students after his award ceremony and answered any questions we had about moving forward in the journalism industry.

Mr. Cooper has given hope to us future journalists in that reporters are not the enemy. As long as we stay true to our unique characteristics and always make sure to only report the facts, we are being the best we can be.

I aspire to possess his empathy for others and their hardships. I aspire to be passionate about what I am doing. I aspire to express my voice in both my writing and reporting.

Anderson Cooper will forever be a role model as to how I want to be as a reporter.

You are an inspiration Mr. Cooper and I am so grateful to have been in your presence!