The fifth child in a series of six, Margaret Francois was raised in a large, loving family in Mt. Dora, Fla. Growing up, Francois knew she wanted to be a writer. In kindergarten, a teacher first fueled her passion for writing by asking her to share her stories with other students. Her parents also encouraged her to write, often giving punishments of book reports instead of conventional time-outs.

Upon attending the University of Florida, Francois found journalism to be the perfect mixture of writing and interacting with people.

Francois runs three blogs: a beauty blog titled “Beauty and the Beat,” a fashion blog called “Streets Paved in Clothes,” and a news blog, “Margaret Francois Writes.” A self-titled “beauty-a-holic,” Francois believes that writing about something you love and having a distinct voice are essential to creating a good blog. She also authors a beauty column for Gainesville-based INsite Magazine.

This past summer Francois fulfilled one of her dreams by interning at Essence Magazine in New York City. She worked on a beauty column alongside renowned Beauty Editor Mikki Taylor, viewing new beauty products before they were made available to the public.

Her advice to aspiring journalists: just go for it. Don’t worry about rejection and eventually a great opportunity will come along.

- Jacquelyne Smith