People of the Press is a column in which we, the crew behind The Sun, share a bit of ourselves with you by answering different questions that bring out our eccentric personalities.
With this week being our 100th digital issue, columnists, editors, and photographers alike were asked: What has your journey in journalism been like? What does 100 mean to you?
Addy Bennett
Journalism has been quite the wild ride. It’s been a time of self-discovery (of opinion especially), and personal growth through writing. I’ve been able to start coming out of my shell and make new friends with people I would’ve otherwise never met. It’s enabled me to become a better person and writer, and has also helped to develop my character and responsibility. I mean, it’s kind of completely consumed me, and I’m okay with that. And what does 100 mean to me? It means I’ve survived. There’s no denying that the work can be tough, but it shows that I have grown much stronger as a person because of the class.
Alexa Geidel
This last year and a half has held some of the most transformative moments of my entire life. I found myself year and a half ago. I found myself in journalism. From the moment I stepped foot in the classroom, I knew I’d be here to stay. I knew what I wanted from the first description Britt gave me of the class in the middle of junior year; I wanted to be Editor-In-Chief. No, I didn’t want to be EIC, I needed to be EIC. Not only did I have to prove myself to everyone in the school and in my life, I had to prove to myself that I was capable of changing the lives of others, which I hope I can say I did. 100 to me means so much, even though I haven’t been here very long. I was a published author before I hopped on the train towards 100 and it meant the world to me – that’s still the proudest moment of my life. But even though I was able to touch the lives of people all across the nation with my first published work “You Don’t Look Mexican,” that effect takes on a whole new meaning when you get to do it every day in your own school. I’ve grown more passionate not only for writing but also for providing for others what was never provided for me. Congrats on 100, The Horizon Sun, it’s been the greatest honor being your fearless captain for the last year, thank you for letting me write and grow with you.
Arlayna Schooley
To me, Journalism has been one heck of an adventure, one that will continue to stay with me even after I graduate senior year. Journalism is anything but your normal classroom, I guess you could say were an “island of misfit toys.” Here is where I am able to be who I am and what I’ll become, I no know matter what these people have my back and I have there’s. Never could I have imagined doing anything like this. But it’s safe to say I’ve tried anything thing that’s been thrown at me from sports to campus events to student spotlights. This 100 issue marks this awesome shot at realizing I can do anything I set my mind to, and with hardworking and determination, I can do anything.
Bry Holguin
Journalism has surely been a memorable year. Before joining, I never wrote about sports games or did a student spotlight. As the year progressed, I learned a lot about writing while still having a blast. I’ve improved thanks to everyone in the class. Their ultimate goals is help you grow as a writer, and expand your grasp on writing. This 100 marks an amazing experience that I’ll always look back on with nothing but loving memories.
Danielle Moran
I’d be lying if I said Journalism hasn’t changed me as a student and as an individual. At the beginning of the year, I figured the class would be solely focused on writing- duh, it’s journalism. But now it’s obvious that it’s something much deeper than that. This is where people find who they are, what they stand for. This is where people’s voices are created and amplified and heard. My own opinions have changed because of the things I’ve learned in this class, and it’s safe to say that because of Journalism, I will continue through this world seeing things in a whole new light.
Emmy Walker
Journalism has definitely been a memorable experience. This class has taught me to never be afraid to use my voice and state my opinions. From writing creative Features and Extras articles, to covering basketball games, there has never been a dull moment. I also learned to do my best in whatever I am writing, whether it’s something that I love or a subject I’m not extremely passionate about. Journalism is all about teamwork, and I couldn’t have asked for a better team to work with.
Jake Matise
Being in Journalism has impacted my writing so much. I have learned how to state my opinion strongly with my writing, and learned how to properly format sports articles, recipes, and campus news. It’s been an exciting year, and I’m glad I chose the class. Journalism really is one big family, and everyone is so supportive and helpful. Journalism has helped me grow so much as a writer and a person.
Lauren Bander
When I came into this class last year, I was just starting seventh grade. I didn’t know much about Journalism, but I knew it involved writing. That was my passion, and it still is. But I was focusing mainly on fiction. I was writing about witches and angels and life as a teenager – something I hadn’t even experienced yet – and it was all very cliche. But when I got here, I was taught to take a look outside of fantasy to the real world. I wrote about real-world issues I was passionate about. I got to be artsy and bookish and display my personality. Looking at real-world situations has even made my fiction more realistic. But the passion itself has really transferred over into this year. I knew what I wanted to write, and was given the opportunity to better the writing, not just the content. With the help of Britt and our amazing editors each week, my writing has gotten stronger and stronger, and some of my best pieces are published on this website. 100 represents the pride that I have in my work and how much I’ve grown since my first ever news article. I will continue to write no matter what comes ahead of me, and this process has changed my love of writing forever.
Marty Rhey
I joined this class as a freshman. The class was a hodge-podge – we had some angry New Yorker as our Editor-in-Chief, we only published every two weeks, the print was rough, the process was rough, everything was still in development. But, this class has a knack of attracting the most persevering, kindhearted, unique, amazing people in the school. The amount of progress that we have made, as a collective unit, has only happened because of these great people. The number 100 is fulfillment of a promise – A promise that we made back in my sophomore, when we all stressed out, dressed up, and presented our grand idea of a digital publication. I very clearly can remember Devin standing up to give me a high five right after Emmons left. 100 issues, 100 weeks of work has passed since then, and things that were once just a dream have become reality. This is what 100 means: That whatever we dream of is possible with a little time, a positive attitude, and a willingness to keep moving forward.
Nathalia Rivera
Honestly, I wanted my first day here to be my last because I was scared by the new school, having to make new friends, meet new teachers. Everything was set on a date and I had to meet those dates on time. It was hard for me at first but now I like this class and I have fun with the people in it. From the moment you walk in it feels like a great big welcome home surprise where people invite you in and make you feel comfortable. As the year goes by with those people who welcomed you in they soon become your family and I will never forget them.
Natori Cruz
My journalism journey has been a long one. As a junior, I’ve been in journalism for the past three years. This journey has been like a rollercoaster. I’ve had my ups and downs, and my even lower downs but I still love this class. I can gladly say I have been here for all 100 issues, and plan on to stay for as many I can. This class has shown me what my future will look like. I used to be terribly afraid of my future, but my future seems so clear now. Congratulations to The Sun for 100 wonderful issues with many more to come!
Ryan Deitchman
Before I started Journalism, I was taking pictures of pig hearts for yearbook, and when I came to Britt’s room to tell/show her, she asked me a question. She asked why I wasn’t in Journalism, and I responded with, “I’m not good at writing.” She laughed and said that I could be a photo editor. That was the day I switched out of Multi-Media and into Journalism. This was an opportunity that I almost let slip past me, but instead I took it. This 100 means that I had an opportunity that I took and made my own.
Sammi Tester
I walked into the Journalism classroom on the first day of school and was immediately intimidated. Everyone seemed to already know each other and was like one big, happy family. I also never considered myself as a good writer and was scared to death that people would be reading my work. I was ready to drop the class but persevered, and after my first issue was through, I realized that everyone in the class was accepting and loved to love one another. Throughout the year, I really did realize that everyone in Journalism IS my family away from home and I have made so many friendships with people I may have never spoken a word to otherwise. I have grown as both a person and a writer through this class, and I am so thankful to the leadership team for helping me along the way. So what does 100 mean to me? 100 means that, though I haven’t been here from the start, we never gave up our end goal and we have 100 more memories to create.
Selina Fluty
I first walked into Journalism as the shy, (to me) irritatingly short, highly-opinionated-but-too-scared-of-being-talked-over seventh grader. I was among big kids who knew what they were doing and were proud of their voices; a big happy family I felt like I wasn’t a part of. I think I walked out of this class less shy, still irritatingly short, and still highly opinionated. But this class taught me that if I’m going to be saying anything, make sure it’s loud enough for the people in the back to hear clearly and to say it with my chin up, because someone has my back and won’t let me go into battle on my own.
Zach Asato
I have only been in Journalism for one year, but I have really grown both as a journalist and a photographer through the knowledge I have gained from the experiences in journalism class. Whether it be through photographing sports games or creative projects, I have learned many transferable skills. If there is one thing I’ve learned though, it is that everyone has a voice. Even if you are not extremely vocal, you can express yourself through articles and demonstrate your abilities to others.
