Barbara Walters passed just before the New Year on December 30, 2022 at 93 years old. Walters was a broadcast journalist who worked in many environments, including: Today, ABC Evening News, The View, and 20/20. She left “The View” in 2014 and told CNN’s Chris Cuomo, “I knew it was time,” Walters told CNN’s Chris Cuomo at the time. “I like all the celebration, that’s great, but in my heart, I thought, ‘I want to walk away while I’m still doing good work.’ So I will.” When she officially retired in 2015, she walked away with numerous awards, as she excelled in all types of journalism. She showed off her talent mainly through news, feature reporting, entertainment, and interviewing.

In the last few years of her life, she was reported to suffer from dementia. She, herself, however will never be forgotten. Her legacy lives on in every newsroom and audience she ever touched- and even those that she didn’t. Walters’ spokesperson, Cindi Berger told CNN in a statement, “Barbara Walters passed away peacefully in her home surrounded by loved ones. She lived her life with no regrets. She was a trailblazer not only for female journalists but for all women.”

Here at Green High School, the journalism department mirrors several journalistic values held by Walters- whether they are aware of it or not. With every issue of The Paw Print comes about four news stories. These are required to be factual and un-opinionated- something Walters was known for. During her career she interviewed people ranging from Michelle Obama to Vladimir Putin. Only a journalist who remains neutral could interview the both of them in one lifetime.

The Paw Print also offers witty and entertaining forms of broadcast journalism- something that Walters also mastered during her time on air. In her case, she had a television series called Barbara Walters’ 10 Most Fascinating People in which she would host amusing interviews with people like the Kardashians. In one of her most hilarious interviews, she engages in conversation with people dressed up like the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles in the NYC subway station. Since they weren’t nominated for an Oscar she asked them if they think it is because, “you’re a little green and slimy and cold? Do you think they’re anti-turtle?” This ability to be entertaining and funny on the spot is similar to segments like Hall in the Halls. Unexpectedly approaching students in the hall with questions, senior Jackson Hall gained fame on social media for his ability to entertain like Walters.