Lancaster Stem Early College High School Amaiyah Ross to serve as a photo journalist during 2023 Women’s Final Four in Dallas

Andre Johnson March 22, 2023 4 min read

MAIYAH MADNESS

**NATIONAL EXPOSURE ON A NATIONAL STAGE —** **Amaiyah Ross** first discovered a passion for photography during the global pandemic. A few years later, Ross’ immeasurable talent will give way to the Lancaster Stem Early College High School student shooting photos during the 2023 NCAA Women’s Final Four in Dallas March 31-April 2.

LANCASTER, Texas — Amaiyah Ross is currently ranked No. 4 in her graduating class at Lancaster Stem Early College High School.

Speaking of four, Ross recently became the beneficiary of some incredible news involving that number.

The 15-year-old honor student learned she will be afforded the golden opportunity to put her immeasurable photography skills on display during the 2023 NCAA Women’s Final Four.

Back in Dallas for the first time in six years, the Women’s Final Four will take place March 31-April 2 in the American Airlines Center.

WHAT: The NCAA Women’s Final

WHEN: March 31-April 2

WHERE: American Airlines Center, Dallas, Texas

TIMES: 6 and 8:30 p.m. CDT (March 31); 2:30 p.m. CDT (April 2)

TELEVISION: ESPN and ABC

TO BUY TICKETS: https://www.ticketmaster.com/womensmarchmadness

For Ross, who turns 16 on May 10, this is the third Dallas/Fort Worth-area sporting event she will shoot since she developed a passion for photography during the COVID-19 global pandemic.

Ross in October was on the sidelines taking photos during the State Fair Football Classic between Grambling State versus Prairie View A&M at the historic Cotton Bowl.

Then in December, she served as a working media member, during which she shot the SERVPRO First Responder Bowl between the University of Memphis versus Utah State at SMU’s Gerald J. Ford Stadium.

Just like during those events, Ross will be granted a full-access media credential and will take photos during both ESPN-televised national semifinal games March 31 at 6 and 8:30 p.m. CDT.

The national championship is April 2 at 2:30 p.m. and will air on ABC for the first time.

For only the second time in the 41-year history of NCAA women’s basketball, the Division II and III national championships also will be decided at the site of the Women’s Final Four.

Both games will be take place April 1, with the Division III championship tipping at 11 a.m. CDT, followed by the Division II final at 2:30 p.m.

CBS Sports Network will broadcast the Division II and Division III finals.

DOIN’ IT BIG IN TEXAS

**SHE’S GOT MAD SKILLZ —** For Ross, who turns 16 May 10, the Women’s Final Four will be the third Dallas/Fort Worth sporting event she will shoot since she found her niche as a photographer. Ross in October was on the sidelines taking photos during the State Fair Football Classic between Grambling State versus Prairie View A&M at the historic Cotton Bowl. Then in December, she served as a working media member, during which she shot the SERVPRO First Responder Bowl between the University of Memphis versus Utah State at SMU’s Gerald J. Ford Stadium.

“Covering this event is special as it will allow me to get more exposure,” Ross, during an interview with Making Headline News this week, said when asked what is so special about covering a major sporting event.

Ross will accompany her bonus father, Andre Johnson, to this year’s Women’s Final Four, where she will shoot photos for Johnson’s game stories, news, and notes.

A longtime sports journalist, Johnson covered the 2017 Women’s Final Four in Dallas and has covered the NBA since 2010.

A member of the National Association of Parliamentarians Youth Group for the Dallas area, Ross boasts a cumulative grade point average of 5.32 and is currently No. 4 out of 597 students in Lancaster’s Class of 2025.

Having adopted photography as a hobby three years ago, Ross has since turned her craft into My Angel’s Photography, her rising entrepreneurial endeavor she named in remembrance of her little brother, Amari Aubre’ Carter, who passed away less than two months after his birth in 2013.

**HISTORIC WEEKEND IN DALLAS —** *For only the second time in the 41-year history of NCAA women’s basketball, the Division II and III national championships also will be decided at the site of the Women’s Final Four.*

An avid painter who customarily produces a majority of her artistry on canvas, Ross spends most of her free time watching movies, shoe shopping, and cooking.

The sophomore’s current list of colleges she’s considering includes Wichita State, Stanford, Georgia Tech, and UCLA, among others.

“I want to major in athletic training,” said Ross, an avid NBA fan who often keeps track of up-to-date developments around the league.

**THE LAST TIME IN NORTH TEXAS —** South Carolina All-American A’ja Wilson was named the 2017 Women’s Final Four Most Outstanding Player after a masterful performance that was culminated with 23 points, 10 rebounds, and four blocks in the national championship game versus Mississippi State.

As for covering the Women’s Final Four, Ross admittedly can’t thoroughly fathom how it will feel to shoot photos on college basketball’s biggest stage.

“I am just going to be able to do something I enjoy on a higher level,” Ross said.

Not to mention cherish this one shining moment for the rest of her life.

Andre Johnson is the award-winning Founder and Publisher for Making Headline News. A 2000 graduate of the University of Memphis School of Journalism and a former staff reporter of sports for the Memphis Commercial Appeal newspaper, Johnson covers the NBA Southwest Division from Dallas, Texas. To reach Johnson, send email to makingheadlinenews@gmail.com or to memphisgraduate@yahoo.com. Also, follow him on Twitter @AJ_Journalist or Instagram at @makingheadlinenews.