After considering his future career options, Griffin Bierig, a junior at Empower Academy and a dual-credit student at Trinity Valley Community College, decided on a career as a Media Critic and decided he needed to start interviewing people in his community to grow his portfolio. When he met Todd Castledine, a professional angler fisherman at God and The Great Outdoors, an event hosted by Rock Hill Baptist Church, he asked Castledine if he could interview him and write a spotlight on him.

“My goal is to [be a] media critic and a lot of [the job] is interviews,” Bierig said. “So I saw the opportunity and went up to him. I’m not interested in hunting or fishing, but I was sitting there [listening] and the way he talked about fishing and the passion he brought to it was so fascinating.”

Castledine agreed to the interview and was so impressed with Bierig’s work.

“It was really cool,” Bierig said, “Bassmaster offers freelance writers to send in their work but sometimes it’s hard to get into it. I wrote my article, sent it to Mr. Castledine and he said ‘I love this! This is great - you don’t fish but you got exactly what I wanted. I have something I want to send to you.”

Little did Bierig know, Castledine was going to get him in contact with the head editor of Bassmaster.com. The editor enjoyed it and published the article to the website.

“He [Castledine] sent me the email for Jim Sexton who is the head editor of Bassmaster website. He [Castledine] put me in touch with the top of the chain which got me the step up to get me the article published there. I love the article and I think it’s really well written. I don’t know, if it wasn’t for Mr. Castledine championing it. I don’t think I would have gotten it as far as it did.”

Bierig shared that even if the story hadn't been published, he was so excited to share Castledine’s story to others.

“It’s not my story to share…It’s Todd’s,” Bierig said. “I didn’t want this to be about me. It’s cool that I got it published, but this is what Todd has to say.  I don’t think Todd would have ever sat down and wrote all these things. It’s cool to take his thoughts and put it to the page. I’m just lucky I get to write it.”

English Instructor Floyd Brigdon was excited to hear the news about Bierig’s achievement.

“This is my first semester to have Griffin…but I was extraordinarily proud,” Brigdon shared “This accomplishment to have is good for anybody, but specially someone that intends to go in that field, I was very surprised and very proud.”

Brigdon was impressed to hear that Bierig took the initiative to interview Castledine and work on his portfolio.

“I think what I was proudest of is Griffin saw an opportunity and took the initiative to take that opportunity and do something with it,” Brigdon said. “If anything, this shows this young man has a lot of drive and potential.”

Bierig is currently a junior at Empower Academy and a dual-credit student who is taking online courses at TVCC.

“I’m currently set up to graduate high school while being Core Complete so it’s really easy,” Bierig said. “I get it all done. I’ve always done well in school, but the online classes have been so easy. I was able to stay a week ahead in my Algebra class I’m taking. I can go at my own pace or blast through my work in one sitting while getting my high school done. It makes it so much easier!”

TVCC Director of Dual Credit Mary Helen Kelm was ecstatic when she received the news about Bierig.

“What an incredible accomplishment!” Kelm exclaimed. “It makes us so happy to see our Dual Credit students doing outstanding things.”

Bierig hopes to continue working on growing his portfolio and getting closer to becoming a Media Critic. He plans to reach out to musicians in the Tyler area to showcase the music scene in the area.

“I already enjoy writing about music and talking to people about music, so I thought might as well get paid for having both passions!” Bierig said.

Bierig’s published piece with Bassmaster “Castledine going against the grain” can currently be read at https://www.bassmaster.com/opens/news/todd-castledine-going-against-the-grain/