In first grade, Emily (Halla) Gedde decided she wanted to be a writer. Now, 15 years later, she is the new staff writer at The Journal.
Gedde, who was born and raised in International Falls, speaks highly of the teacher that gave her early guidance to this profession.
“Gail Rasmussen was my first-grade teacher and always talked up my writing skills even at that young age,” Gedde said. “Ever since then, I knew I wanted to write. I can thank Gail for helping me get where I am today. She is a true inspiration.”
Prior to joining the staff at The Journal, Gedde worked as a reporter for The American in Blackduck for more than a year.
“Even though Blackduck had a very small paper, it gave me valuable insight to the newspaper business and was an excellent start for me,” Gedde explained.
In 2005, Gedde graduated from Falls High School and ventured off to Bemidji State University to study mass communications.
“My original plan was to study English,” Gedde said. “After I got to BSU, I found they had journalism as an emphasis of the mass communications program and fully engulfed myself in the classes.”
Gedde worked as a staff writer for the BSU newspaper, The Northern Student, for three years and served as editor for one year.
“I had a great experience working for my campus newspaper,” she said. “I really became involved with the college and knew I was in the process of making a good career choice.”
After graduating from BSU in December of 2008, the position in Blackduck came open only two months later.
“I was very fortunate to get a job in my field fresh out of college — especially last year,” she said.
Gedde said as much as she will miss the community of Blackduck, she is excited to return to her hometown and work for the newspaper she grew up reading.
“I’ve always wanted to work for this paper,” she said. “I am really excited to finally get the opportunity to do that.”
Among Gedde’s specific duties, she will be covering hard news items, feature stories, Ranier City Council, Littlefork City Council and the Littlefork-Big Falls School Board.
Gedde is moving back to International Falls with her husband, Mike, and their 8-month-old daughter, Rena.
“Mike and Rena are my biggest fans,” she said. “I’m excited to move them to my hometown and hopefully they will love it as much as I do.”
