We start off our writing with research week, using Google Scholar we’re able to search refined studies and information about anything we’re seeking for our stories. Through a lot of refining and searching we then find what we consider to be a reputable source - reputable sources can be defined as anything with concrete provable data. This in turn solidifies or modifies our angle and we are able to tackle sources.
We start off our writing with research week, using Google Scholar we’re able to search refined studies and information about anything we’re seeking for our stories. Through a lot of refining and searching we then find what we consider to be a reputable source - reputable sources can be defined as anything with concrete provable data. This in turn solidifies or modifies our angle and we are able to tackle sources.
We start off our writing with research week, using Google Scholar we’re able to search refined studies and information about anything we’re seeking for our stories. Through a lot of refining and searching we then find what we consider to be a reputable source - reputable sources can be defined as anything with concrete provable data. This in turn solidifies or modifies our angle and we are able to tackle sources.
04 WRITING
As a journalist, naturally, I love to tell stories, especially in the realm of investigative journalism. I love to focus on the things people like to ignore and bring them to light. It’s much like my own story. I was found silent at the back of the class and recruited for design, my adviser saw potential in me that no one else did. Because of that I have grown, my passion lies heavily in my stories and their impact they have on the student body. I win awards in design, I can boost social status for my school through my design, but it is my writing that I am most proud of, and that is one thing I’m working on to make my own peers more aware of. Journalism opened doors for me, whether it was learning a new factoid in a Washington Post article, or fostering a newfound relationship with my principal through my own articles; I grew into my skin because of the stories I have written. I adore every part of the writing process, like that soothing feeling when a sentence flows perfectly, or you have the sweetest bridge to a transition, it fuels my fire.
As a journalist in a time where I hear the words ‘Fake News’ almost daily, it’s hard for me to not be passionate about what I write, and want to push it further than I ever have before. Freedom of the Press is first for a reason, and we as the writers, and fellow voices of our democracy, matter more than ever. Writing doesn’t also make just me feel good. It makes my sources feel good when I tell them they’re known for something, or knowledgeable on a subject that other people may not be. That their voice is being sought out and is worthy, and that the little thing they kept talking about is now becoming something bigger. As a facet of the press, I get to encourage all of our fellow students at Southeast to reach further and speak up, and that makes me the happiest woman I could be.
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All photos and graphics were taken or made by me unless otherwise specified.
“They don’t really know who they are, especially in middle school. It’s about finding yourself, but when you’re gay or transgender it’s 10 million times harder.”
-- Taylor Blok-soflin (12)
This story was an opinion piece written on the spike in coming-out stories scattering the world nationally. At Southeast, I had noticed that there was a large population of students who had recently come out, and it was being talked about a lot, though not always positively, so I decided to use my voice and those affected to create this story.
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Category: Opinion
Category: Opinion, Editorial
"Coincidentally, Instagram, where we’re all putting on our best desirable persona, is the hub of these activist posts. The platform that is meant to portray the best version of oneself conveniently houses the aesthetically candid photo of you and your sign, and your clearly intense desire to aid in the change your generation is bringing to the world."
Following my own attendance of the Women's march in January of 2018, I noticed a spike in my 'woke' friends going just for the pictures, and leaving before the speakers even began. It angered me, and I was given the platform to write about it in an investigative, editorialized way. Students reached out to me with feedback, and commented on the new resolutions they had made for themselves. It felt extraordinarily fulfilling.
Category: Investigative, Feature
“I didn’t think of it as something cool, I knew it was stupid and basic to do. I made fun of myself every time I had it. I don’t know why I ended up deciding to get it – it was an impulse buy I guess."
-- Anonymous source, Nathan*
The hallways, bathrooms, lunch room, classrooms, vaping was everywhere. I knew this was a timely and interesting story to investigate, and everyone knew at least one person who vaped. I ended up uncovering dealers, suppliers, and just seemingly average nicotine-addicted students during the process of writing this story. In response, my principal reached out and asked me to help him form a group centered around the idea of vaping, hoping to open up the discussion further so the school could find solutions, so far we have 10 students signed on.
“She has never worked in a school, for a school, and she didn’t even attend public school. Neither have any of her children. She is also a strong advocate for privatizing schools and creating a school voucher program, despite a complete lack of evidence proving that this would provide a better education."
-- Lucy Collins (12)
As someone who knew little about Betsy DeVos and the changes that would occur following her appointment, I figured I probably wasn't the only one at Southeast feeling this way. It was hard for me to find sources educated enough to make a strong statement. But after many beak interviews, I was able to find two students who went above and beyond. In turn, I fostered a new bond with members from both the Young Democrats & Republicans club, who I still talk to regularly today.
“I used to worry about what other people would think of me all the time. I obsessed over it, and started trying to force myself into a mold of someone that I thought others would like, especially when it came to my appearance. I kind of got consumed with it, and lost myself for a while. Since then, I have learned that I need to just be me and live my truth, and if someone happens to disagree with that, then that’s okay."
-- Dana Clements (12)
Our featured students are chosen through a random number generator in our system, and because of that, I landed on one of the most interesting people I have ever met, Dana Clements - Artist, Pianist, and Creative mastermind.
Category: Feature, Faces
“Symbols are powerful things. The flag, the ubiquitous Nike swoosh, and fire, especially. Mr. Kaepernick is continuing a pretty compelling protest about racial injustice, but many of us can’t get past the flag, the symbol. As cool or as controversial as symbols may be, they are not as important as basic human rights like free speech and equal justice under the law,”
-- David Peters, Social Studies Dep.
At a time where the political divide is deeper than ever, more and more Southeast students are finding themselves in polarizing situations. Social Studies teacher David Peters looked to expand on that idea and open the dialogue about how it affects us locally.
Category: News, Sports
Photo by: Steven Ruiz, USA Today
my legacy story
Category: News, Investigative
“I feel like education can be bigger than just someone standing in front of a class and saying, ‘This is what depression looks like.’"
-- Kelsey Lorimer, LSE Counseling
I failed 4 classes the semester I began writing this story, I had never failed any classes before. It was my most hard-hitting story to date, and the response I got from it was one of immense love and desire for change. It cost me a lot, my GPA went from a 4.01 to a 3.6 and I hit rock bottom. However, I wrote from the heart and poured all of my anger, sadness, and passion into this story. My adviser championed me and helped me many hours in making this the most intense story it could be. I am extraordinarily proud of this article, and it is the legacy I will leave the students here at Southeast - help is out there.
the response
Shown above is a text I received from a student at LSE. It brought tears to my eyes.
I was given so many hugs, especially from the sources I had interviewed. My principal met with me to tell me how much he loved the progression of writing and in-depth storytelling I had done. I was told by our Special Education Coordinators that I gave them goosebumps and had made them cry. A teacher and basketball coach I had never met before called me a blessing to this school. I received texts and direct messages like the one shown to thank me. All I had done was my duty as a journalist, and it brought up the questions and ideas so many others around me had been dwelling on. I joined our schools Peer Mediation group through Restorative Justice to help develop a mental health chapter.
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Because of this story and many others like it I know that I am creating change, helping the silent. This is why I am a journalist and I do what I do. It makes me so proud to know that I was able to publish something like this and receive immense support. I did not write this story for me, I wrote it for all the kids like me who don't have the platform I do - which is exactly why journalism matters.
Category: News