Meet the SunDevil Times Staff

“The SunDevil Times” staff provides you with the information you need to know online at www.sundeviltimes.com, on the Student News Source App, and on Instagram @shs.press. This year’s staff consists of nineteen students led by Editor-in-Chief Anna Grace Riegle and Assistant Editor-in-Chief Benjamin Cruz.

EDITORS

Editor-in-Chief: Anna Grace Riegle, senior:

Q: Why did you take Journalism?

A: I left the VPAA after freshman year, after my schedule for sophomore year was already settled. I had to find electives to replace my academy classes and there were very few with available spots, Journalism being one of them. I knew Mrs. Trace from my advisory group, so I signed up for it.

What’s your favorite part of taking journalism?

A: Taking journalism has helped me improve my writing in different styles that I wouldn’t have tried otherwise. I also love writing about music, and getting to publish my reviews is really rewarding. 

Q: Is being an editor challenging?

A: It’s an intimidating position, realizing others look up to me. But I think my experience has earned me this position.

Q: What’s your favorite aspect of being an editor?

A: It’s a lot of fun connecting with everyone on staff and applying all that I’ve learned.

Q: Favorite movie and/or tv show?

A: My favorite movie is La La Land and my favorite TV show is Community.

Assistant Editor-in-Chief:  Benjamin Cruz, senior

Q: Why did you take Journalism?

A: I wanted to see if this was a career path I wanted to take seriously. I always wondered what it was like to be a journalist and to talk about certain topics I’m passionate about.

Q: What’s your favorite part of taking journalism?

A: It is a very self paced class. I enjoy being able to complete my work at my own pace. Believe it or not, procrastination is not a huge deal when writing stories as they are more bite sized and not a huge essay.

Q: Is being an editor challenging?

A: My specific position as Assistant Editor-in-Chief is probably the easiest one. The point of my job is to help my classmates and the other editors in my own way. It can be hard to do that sometimes as there isn’t someone giving you tasks; it revolves around me applying myself to do what I think contributes the best to the group.

Q: What’s your favorite aspect of being an editor?

A: I like when other people ask me to help them. It helps me build a personal connection with everyone and forces me to get involved. Under other circumstances, I would just sit there and blank stare into the universe. 

Q: Favorite movie or tv show?

A: Jojo’s Bizarre Adventure

Managing Editor – Carla Roby, senior 

Q: Why did you take Journalism?

A: I like writing, so I thought it would be fun.

Q: What’s your favorite part of taking journalism?

A: The freedom and the friendships. Also talking about BTS.

Q: Is being an editor challenging?

A: It can be a bit tedious and time consuming because of my specific responsibilities, but I enjoy it and it’s all worth it. 

Q: What’s your favorite aspect of being an editor?

A: Having had experience as a staff member, I now have more confidence in my abilities which I’m able to bring to the table as an editor. 

Q: Favorite movie or tv show?

A: Little Women (Greta Gerwig version) and The Office.

Design Editor: Emmaly Lemieszek, senior

Q: Why did you take Journalism?

A: I took journalism because I was interested in what the class was. In the beginning, I thought this class was really hard. But over time, I started to love the class and started to love writing.

Q: What’s your favorite part of taking journalism?

A: My favorite part about journalism is being able to write about whatever topics interest me.  

Q: Is being an editor challenging?

A: I wouldn’t say it’s challenging, but making sure everyone is on task and doing their work can be difficult at times. 

Q: What’s your favorite aspect of being an editor?

A: My favorite part about being the design editor is being able to put together stories and make them look nice on the website.

Q: Favorite movie and/or tv show?

A: My favorite show is The Vampire Diaries and my favorite movies are disney movies.

STAFF WRITERS

Oliver Alexander, senior

Q: Why did you take Journalism?

A:  I took journalism to explore the course and I’m interested in writing.

Q: What’s your favorite part of taking journalism?

A: My favorite part is choosing a topic to write about, it’s free roam.

Q: Favorite movie or tv show?

A: My favorite movie is Prospect and my favorite tv show is The Cuphead Show at the moment.

Kathleen Capistrano, junior

Q: Why did you take Journalism?

A: I took journalism because it sounded interesting and I enjoy writing.

Q: What’s your favorite part of taking journalism?

A: I enjoy the writing process the most. I just like writing what I want.

Q: Favorite movie or tv show?

A: My favorite TV show right now is Work Later, Drink Now.

Marissa DeSimas, senior

Q: Why did you take Journalism?

A: I took Journalism because I wanted to explore my own writing style and create interesting new pieces. 

Q: What’s your favorite part of taking journalism?

A: My favorite part about taking journalism is being able to work with others, and the ability to write about whatever you want. 

Q: Favorite movie or tv show?

A: My favorite tv show is Grey’s Anatomy. 

Macee Dippery, senior

Q: Why did you take Journalism?

A: I took Journalism because I am interested in pursuing it in college.

Q: What’s your favorite part of taking journalism?

A: My favorite part of taking journalism is being able to be a part of the press within our student body.

Q: Favorite movie or tv show?

A: Arrow

Julia Dixon, senior 

Q: Why did you take Journalism?

A: I took journalism because I really like writing and I think it might be something I might want to do as a job in the future.

Q: What’s your favorite part of taking journalism?

A: My favorite part of taking journalism is having the opportunity to make a difference with our stories.

Q: Favorite movie or tv show?

A: Blended

Jordan Fielder, senior

Q: Why did you take Journalism?

A:  I took journalism because I feel like it would help me improve on my writing and help me branch out.

Q: What’s your favorite part of taking journalism?

A: My favorite part of journalism so far was meeting all of the people I normally walk past in the hallways. I feel like I have a little family within the school now.

Q: Favorite movie or tv show?

A: Naruto because it is peak fiction.

Kaden LeRoy, senior

Q: Why did you take Journalism?

A: I needed classes to fill my schedule.

Q: What’s your favorite part of taking journalism?

A: It’s an easier class.

Q: Favorite movie or tv show?

A: Baby Driver (2017)

Dejuan Lewis, senior

Q: Why did you take Journalism?

A: I took journalism because I’m good at writing so I just chose to do this class

Q: What’s your favorite part of taking journalism?

A: Interviewing people and seeing their opinions and thoughts on certain topics

Q: Favorite movie or tv show?

A: Friday

Atlas “L” Mangune, senior

Q: Why did you take Journalism?

A:  I took journalism because I thought it would be fun. I had Mrs. Trace for Dual Enrollment last year, and she encouraged me to join. My sister was also in it last year, and made it sound really exciting. 

Q: What’s your favorite part of taking journalism?

A: Everyone here is really positive and encouraging. I like the happy environment that I get to come to every class. Being surrounded by such talented, supportive, and optimistic people makes me want to keep coming back.

Q: Favorite movie or tv show?

A: My current favorite TV show is Extraordinary Attorney Woo!

Keven Mazuera-Caro, junior

Q: Why did you take Journalism?

A:  I was really interested in writing in sophomore year, so my friend recommended this class. 

Q: What’s your favorite part of taking journalism?

A:  My favorite part is being able to keep up with news from both outside and inside the school. I never really cared about the news or what was happening outside my own personal life until the journalism class started informing everyone about their findings.

Q: Favorite movie or tv show?

A:  My favorite movie is The Magnificent Seven (2016) and my favorite TV show is Breaking Bad.

Jell Marie Militante, senior

Q: Why did you take Journalism?

A: I have always had a passion for the art of writing and graphic design, journalism just happens to use both which I love.

Q: What is your favorite part of taking journalism?

A: Interviewing people and getting insight on their own opinions

Q: What is your favorite movie or tv show?

A: I have so many shows I am always trying to binge, but currently I am obsessed with the NBC show Chicago PD. 

Raine Morrison, junior

Q: Why did you take Journalism?

A:  I originally took Journalism last year because I really like writing, but I decided to keep taking it this year because I really enjoyed the other people taking it and the environment.

Q: What is your favorite part of taking journalism?

A:  I think it’s really exciting that we get to write about all types of stuff that interest us and then share it with all the students and teachers here at Salem. Seeing the notification that your article was published on the website is just such a special feeling. \

Q: What is your favorite movie or tv show?

A: My favorite movies are Watching The Detectives, Carrie (1976), and Killer Klowns From Outer Space (it’s so hard to just choose one).

Zolie Pope, junior

Q: Why did you take Journalism?

A:  Around the time we were choosing classes last year, I was interested in pursuing journalism as a career so I thought I should take this class to see if that was the pathway I wanted to go on.

Q: What is your favorite part of taking journalism?

A: Interviewing people.

Q: What is your favorite movie or tv show?

A: Coraline

Riley Robbins, senior

Q: Why did you take Journalism

A: I originally took Journalism my junior year because Mrs. Trace recommended it for me freshman year.

Q: What is your favorite part of taking journalism

A: The collaborative environment we have everyday.

Q: What is your favorite movie or tv show?

A: Scarface

Irene Straw, junior

Q: Why did you take Journalism?

A: I took journalism because I was interested in improving my writing and it just seemed like a fun class.

Q: What is your favorite part of taking journalism?

A: My favorite part of taking journalism is finding out about all the crazy stuff that happens at school before everyone else. Not to mention, everyone in this class is kind and accepting.

Q: What is your favorite movie or tv show?

A: My favorite movie is A Dog’s Purpose.