DALTON, Ga. — Abby O’Ferrall says she comes from an artistic family but always struggled to find a way to express herself. That changed when she joined the “PBS NewsHour” Student Reporting Lab at Dalton Middle School this past school year.

“I joined the class for fun, but as it turns out I fell in love with journalism,” she said.

From June 25-30 O’Ferrall will be among 20 students from across the country visiting Washington, D.C., for “PBS NewsHour’s” third annual Student Reporting Labs Academy. O’Ferrall is one of two middle school students chosen and the only student from Georgia. She starts Dalton High School in the fall.

Gina Gray, the journalism teacher at Dalton Middle School who teaches the PBS class, recommended O’Ferrall for the academy. Gray is one of five teachers who are going to D.C. to serve as mentors for the academy’s students.

“Abby has a real passion for putting stories together and editing, and she’s expressed an interest in going to college for journalism,” said Gray.

O’Ferrall said when she found out she was selected for the academy it “blew my mind.”

“When I submitted my admission form it was one of those things where if I make it great, if I don’t I’m not going to beat myself up about it,” she said. “I’m very nervous about it (the academy) because I want to be just as good as other students.”

O’Ferrall said she thinks she will fit in fine because she is a sociable person.

“I just hope when I get there I’m as impressive as other students and show them as much as they show me,” she said.

While in D.C. the students are required to find a topic and create a story within two days. Topics can vary from Chinatown to the Arts District to Capitol Hill or be a topic of the student’s choice.

O’Ferrall submitted an application package that included a video she produced and edited telling why she loves journalism and should be selected. In the video, which can be viewed here, she discusses her love for computers, technology and trying new things with videos.

“I know I’m young and only in eighth grade, but my age doesn’t hinder how much I love editing and filmmaking,” she said in the video. “It doesn’t stop me from wanting to learn or make me less capable than anyone else.”

Gray said the selection committee also reviewed students’ class work and assignments. O’Ferrall submitted a story she helped edit and produce called “Disabilities in America.” The story is about Jerry Bruce Hennon, a student at Westwood Elementary School who had a heart transplant last summer. Hennon starts Dalton Middle this fall. The video is available here.

O’Ferrall said she loves all her stories because she’s learned something different from each one, but the one on Hennon is her favorite.

“I love that little boy, we became so close during filming,” she said. “His story taught me it doesn’t matter what you’ve been through, you can still be a strong person and make it through life.”

O’Ferrall said she loves the Student Reporting Lab because it’s different from any other class.

“I feel there is so much more one-on-one because Ms. Gray has a strong passion for journalism,” she said. “I’ve always admired that about her, she likes to see her students excel and put their heart into their work just as much as she does. It’s inspiring.”

O’Ferrall said Gray’s leadership trickles down to the students.

“We all try to boost each other up to get creative and spread ideas,” she said. “We’re all there for each other like one big journalism family.”

O’Ferrall said there is a lot to learn in the class.

“There is a lot of technology and always new stories that haven’t been told,” she said. “In other classes you take it because you have to, but pretty much everyone in the PBS class wants to be there. We all have a passion for it.”

Her classmate Sarah Jaconetti said O’Ferrall is a good choice for the academy.

“She’s a really hard worker and determined to get everything done,” Jaconetti said. “Abby is always busy editing a video or filming, she’s really good at what she does.”

Melissa Morgan, O’Ferrall’s mother, said she will do great in D.C.

“It’s an amazing opportunity, Abby is one of 20 students and the only one from Georgia,” she said. “Gina Gray has a great program at the school that exposes children to other things.”

Morgan said her daughter has always been into sports. She swims, plays tennis and plans to try out for the volleyball team next school year.

“She’s a well-rounded kid who loves sports but has discovered another passion,” Morgan said. “If we didn’t have the PBS class we wouldn’t know she loves videos and editing. This class helped her tap into that talent.”