As a new year rolls in, so do new stories on the SunDevil Times. This year, working to provide the latest information within (and outside of) the school, the newspaper crew consists of four editors and 15 new staff writers.
Journalism Advisor: Kathleen Trace
Q: What is your favorite part of teaching journalism?
A: I love that after the first quarter or so (after I teach the basics), my role becomes more like a mentor and I can allow the editors to really run the show. It’s amazing to see students come in as shy underclassmen and work their way up to confident editors over just a few years. It’s really student led, which I love.
Q: How have you seen journalism classes grow throughout the years?
A: It’s less about how the classes have grown as much as how the students grow, especially when they are in the class for multiple years. They grow as writers, speakers, listeners, leaders, so much!
Q: What made you want to start a journalism class?
A: I didn’t actually start the journalism program at Salem. It was here long before I was, but when they asked me to be the newspaper sponsor I was thrilled. I’ve sponsored both yearbook and newspaper in previous schools I’ve taught in and I love working with students on writing, photography, and design.
Q: What do you want students to take away from the class?
A: I want students to leave more confident in their writing and their speaking, but also more confident in themselves in general. The newspaper class tends to become a close knit group and it’s a fantastic space for students who are shy or unsure to find a safe space where everyone supports each other.
EDITORS:
Editor-in-Chief: Kathleen Capistrano, senior
Q: What made you take journalism?
A: At first, I had only joined because I needed a fine arts credit, and since I’ve always loved writing, I thought it would be a fun class to take. However, the longer I stayed, the more I began to love journalism in general and the people around me.
Q: What is your favorite part of journalism?
A: I really love the class itself. I think the way Mrs. Trace sets everything up, from the seating arrangements to the writing processes really helps create a cozy little community and makes sure everyone’s voice is heard. I also really enjoy being able to read everyone’s stories and how diverse everyone’s writing style is.
Assistant Editor-in-Chief: Keven Mazuera-Caro, senior
Q: What made you take journalism?
A: I took journalism for funsies. I enjoyed writing during sophomore year and wanted to write for fun.
Q: What is your favorite part of journalism?
A: My peers, teachers, and the setting. I love how multiple different personalities leak out of every writer and accumulate into this one giant monster, but it isn’t too bad. Talking to everyone allows me to constantly take in fresh air. Very cool, very fun.
Design Editor: Raine Morrison, senior
Q: What made you take journalism?
A: Originally it was for the writing aspect, but now that I’ve been doing it for so long, it’s become something I’m really passionate about. It’s something that makes me feel really involved in Salem’s community as a whole, and I’m really proud of where we’ve gone with it.
Q: What is your favorite part of journalism?
A: I love the interviewing and the fact it involves us in the community of our school. I love journalism so much. The staff are my family, so getting to know the new staff every year, sharing what’s in the news, seeing everyone every B day, is definitely my favorite part.
Copy Editor: Irene Straw, senior
Q: What made you take journalism?
A: I first joined because of my interest in writing, but I came back because of the people, the teacher, and the ability to write what I want for the newspaper.
Q: What is your favorite part of journalism?
A: I love the little community we have in class. We help each other with our stories, share crazy news from around the world, and encourage each other whenever we can.
Staff Writers
Ariyana Roberts, freshman
Q: What made you take journalism?
A: I wanted to take journalism because I wanted to improve on things like my grammar and also my social interactions with people. I felt like this would be a good class for that. I also really like to express my emotions and just how I feel about certain topics in writing, and I knew I would just like this class.
Q: What are you most excited for in journalism?
A: Now that I know what to expect from this class, I am excited to interview people and just get their personal opinions on certain topics. I want to get to connect with the others in this class and see how they think and look up to them (the upperclassmen in the class) and see how I can improve. I also am just excited to write in general.
Caleigh Howell, senior
Q: What made you take journalism?
A: Studying structure and analyzing the different ways you can grab a reader’s attention using literature is something I love learning about, and Journalism not only allows me to view and study new structures, but also teaches me how to write them myself.
Q: What are you most excited for in journalism?
A: The class sort of feels like one big productive book-club… We’re all interested and passionate students who are taking this class by choice because we find it fun. Our dedication towards our interest will show in the work we do, and I’m excited to see what everybody can create with their passion.
Chelsea Brown, junior
Q: What made you take journalism?
A: Interacting with other parts of the school interested me, especially when I would never even have thought about talking to them by choice before taking this class.
Q: What are you most excited for in journalism?
A: I’m most excited for the big events that I might get to witness and let others see through the @shs.press instagram and website.
Claire O’Neil, freshman
Q: What made you take journalism?
A: I love to write and I thought Journalism would be a great way to do what I love and meet new people.
Q: What are you most excited for in journalism?
A: To write about all the things I love and interview people
Hunter Olsen, senior
Q: What made you take journalism?
A: I discovered my love of writing last year and decided, “Hey, why not fill my schedule full of every different kind of writing to see which form I like more,” and now we’re here.
Q: What are you most excited for in journalism?
A: I’m excited about getting better at writing articles and having other people read my pieces. Plus, I like writing, and I get to write.
Jasper Covington, senior
Q: What made you take journalism?
A: I wanted to take journalism because I wanted to learn how to write through different lenses, and writing has always been an interest of mine.
Q: What are you most excited for in journalism?
A: I’m most excited to write stories people can connect to and make something that’s my own.
Kendall Warlick, junior
Q: What made you take journalism?
A: I wanted to take journalism because I wanted to be able to write about things that I’m interested in more often.
Q: What are you most excited for in journalism?
A: I’m most excited for all the opportunities to get to know the people at Salem.
Lily Check, sophomore
Q: What made you take journalism?
A: I wanted to take journalism because I love writing and have always had a passion for writing about things that I am interested in. I also want to pursue this as a career so I thought this class would be a great start for me.
Q: What are you most excited for in journalism?
A: I’m most excited for the writing aspect and interviewing people. I love hearing what people have to say and then basing a whole story around it. I love letting people’s voices be heard on topics that they are passionate about.
Maria Trepanier, senior
Q: What made you take journalism?
A: I needed a certain amount of classes to play a sport so I decided since I like to write that I would try journalism
Q: What are you most excited for in journalism?
A: The different articles I’ll be able to write and the experiences that will lead with that.
Rulian Mulero, senior
Q: What made you take journalism?
A: I took Journalism because I wanted a class that was fun to engage in and allow me some stress relief during my final year at Salem
Q: What are you most excited for in journalism?
A: I am most excited to write opinion pieces as well as work with the staff.
Rylee Partridge, freshman
Q: What made you take journalism?
A: Like the majority of the current staff members, I chose journalism for the writing aspect. I actually had no idea that I would be getting the opportunity to write for the SunDevil Times when I picked the class. Even so, I would definitely say that was a welcome surprise.
Q: What are you most excited for in journalism?
A: Now that I know more about the class and what to expect, I’m most excited about photography and being offered the opportunity to write some interesting stories, as well as getting to work with the staff writers, our editors, and Mrs. Trace.
Shelby Ryals, sophomore
Q: What made you take journalism?
A: I took Journalism because of the writing, but I think the longer I’m in journalism, there will be even more reasons. But for now it’s the writing part.
Q: What are you most excited for in journalism?
A: I’m most excited for the photography part and interviewing people.
Tierra Adams, sophomore
Q: What made you take journalism?
A: I love writing, I always did and I wanted to see if I could become a journalist or a writer for books when I graduate and it feels like joining this class would be a great way to do it.
Q: What are you most excited for in journalism?
A: I’m excited for the publishing of stories and letting people’s voices be heard. I love seeing people reading stories and getting inspired by them or just enjoying it.
Verity O’Shea, junior
Q: What made you take journalism?
A: Honestly? Scheduling. It was either this or, like, German 3. But, I also just wanted to take this class; I really do like writing. Plus, I’m someone with strong opinions that I like to talk about. Why not write about some of them?
Q: What are you most excited for in journalism?
A: Coming up with the concepts for articles. Writing is fun, but doesn’t come easy to me, but coming up with the ideas? I can do that forever.
