The last Journalism class of the trimester and the 14-15 school year. Photo by: Kassie Dickey
By: Janessa Salazar
As the school year comes to a close with the last trimester beginning, Journalism begins with eight new students and one returning editor.
One of the five freshman this year is Jewel Brown who likes to be known as Jay. One of the many hobbies Jay has is physically challenging herself. She said, “I love to physically challenge myself whether it be running until I can’t breathe or lifting weights.” She was also in wrestling for a bit, other things that no one knows is that she has had three blood transfusions so far. Describing herself as a very caring person “and always having a good time, regardless of the circumstance.” She one day would like to visit Australia in the future.
Working on her article and interacting with others, Jay works on finishing her work. Photo by: Janessa Salazar
Freshman Emma Daniels had joined the journalism class because she enjoys the writing aspect of it. She said, “It has surprised me how much work goes into writing an article.” For her she said that writing is a way of expressing herself, “A lot of people don’t know that I express my true feelings through my writing and drawing.” In her writing she said that some people do not understand because she writes metaphorically. Along with writing she said she also does, “color guard outside of school. I also like to read fiction books and write poetry.”
Joining the class a few days later was Cam Mullins who is a freshman as well. He had switched out of Spanish class to join Journalism because he said that he “kinda like[s] English.” What had caught him off guard at first was when he said, “I was surprised that I actually enjoy this class.” Another thing that people rarely know about him is that he said, “I secretly like P!nk. (the singer… I guess the color is ok, too.)” He adds a little humor to what he says about anything, even when describing himself. He said that he was, “ 5’8″ blonde caucasian… haha! Kidding. I would describe myself as funny and somewhat amiable.”
For the experience of writing professionally freshman Sydney Holzwart joined journalism because she said that, “I have always had a passion for writing and have always wanted to write for magazines or blogs.” For Journalism she said that, “Everything has been going easy.”With class it is different because she said that, “It’s easy for me to comprehend other than some classes. It’s something I like and want to learn.” On the first week students interviewed one another to experience what it was like asking others questions. Others, like Mullins, said that it was, “really awkward at first.” But with Holzwart she said that, “I like meeting new people so I enjoyed it.” Outside of school she enjoys other things like spending time with friends and traveling with her grandparents.
Joining the class and the school for the first time is freshman Meghan Caine. Joining Plymouth High School and looking at classes she said she took journalism because, ‘I wanted to see what it was about.” Caine likes to write outside of school as well, she said that, “I like writing informationals.” Caine said that she is kind of shy at first then more outgoing, so when she interviewed someone for the first time she said that, “It was weird at first but then it got better as it went.” Along with journalism and writing, she also likes to bake, read, and play tennis for the school as well. Her favorite book so far Caine said is, “To Kill a Mockingbird,” and if she ever got the chance she would want to go visit Paris, France one day.
Working with editor Eric Burch, Megan and Sydney continue putting responses into their articles. Photo by: Janessa Salazar
Originally from Plymouth, junior Yasmine Reyna returns again from Chicago and joins the journalism class this year. Never taken a similar class to journalism she said that, “I wanted to join journalism class because it sounded very interesting, and I wanted to try something different.” Her learning experience so far in the class has surprised Reyna because of the help. She said that ‘We actually get one on one help with our peers, and the teacher.” She does enjoy writing but it just depends on the preference of the topic concerning her writing. She said that, “I enjoy writing sometimes, but it depends what the topic is. I prefer writing descriptive, and persuasive writing.” Outside of school she keeps in touch with the community too. Reyna said, “I love to volunteer at our local Boys & Girls Club, and I coach sometimes for the teams there. So I guess my only hobbies is the sports at the Boys & Girls Club, and volunteering.”
Returning back to journalism this trimester is junior Alicia Sanchez. Compared to most of her classes what surprised her about journalism was, “ how laid-back this class is. This isn’t like a math class or a science class. We basically do our own thing, as long as we’re working on our articles.” Coming back as a junior editor Sanchez said that, ‘I initially joined [journalism] because I had Mrs. Gifford as an English teacher and she seemed really nice.” Quiet and hardworking when around people, Sanchez said, “I love to write, as long as I’m choosing when, what, and how I write. Assignments in English class aren’t really fun for me. I prefer to write stories with my own characters and characters from other forms of media.” And outside of school she said that, “I have a fandom Tumblr blog that I refuse to share with anybody, with the exception of a few close friends. I currently have over 4,000 followers.”
A first timer herself to the journalism class is senior Samantha Grant. Instead of just coming upon the class, someone recommended the class to her. She said that,”‘What made me decide to join journalism was when Mr. Fishback described the class to me and told me it will help my writing skills and help me branch out with writing.” With a few surprises here and there Grant said that, “So far, the only thing that has surprised me is how helpful the editor and chief and junior editors are. I was expecting them to kind of just tell us what to do then do something else but they’ve been so friendly and helpful even sitting beside us when we need one on one attention.”
With junior Yasmine Reyna, Editor Eric Burch continues to help as they work on her article. Photo by: Janessa Salazar
Outside of the class Grant said that she likes to take walks and play in the parks, she said “I adore the trails we have in town and I love walking them around 7 because slowly after the sun starts to set and throughout the trail there are benches to sit and sometimes you just need to sit and capture the memory of how beautiful the sky can be.” When it comes to telling others about herself Grant tells us one thing that she has kept with her. She said that, “One thing know one really knows about me is that when I was born my father was the first one to hold me, my mom says that’s why we are so close.”
Last but not least is senior Lisa Carnegie who chose to take journalism instead of choir because she said, “I would rather write than sing.” Compared to other classes and journalism Carnegie said that, “Usually you have all these assignments and learn different things but in this class you just learn to come up with stories and get to interview people and make forms which is pretty fun.” So far one of her favorite things in the class is asking and interviewing new people. In the class Carnegie said what surprised her the most was, “How easy it is and also how we get right to writing instead of learning this and that, we just go for it.” Out of all of this her favorite hobby she said is, “laying with my son and making him laugh and smile. I look forward to it everyday.”
With new and returning students this last trimester of the year, we look forward to working together and getting to know everyone as well.