End of the Beginning: Room 207

The 2023-2024 Gigantea Editors-in-Chief say their final goodbyes.

By: Brienna Burr & Donya Hassanshahi

BRIENNA

It is honestly true, time does fly, when you’re having fun. Time flies when you have an advisor who cares. Time flies when you make connections in room 207. Time flies when you get to sit with and talk to people who love your school as much as you do. Time flies when you get close to a deadline and that is what myself and the class of 2024 is reaching, a deadline. 

I was once a sophomore in high school who did not talk much to those beyond my close friends. If I had to point at one class to show my growth as a Ranger and a human, it would be journalism, a class held in room 207, taught by the one and only Mr. Miller.

Writing for the Gigantea has been nothing short of amazing. Whether I was writing a club story or an art story, I always found joy in talking to others. The Redwood Gigantea gives everyone an opportunity to connect. Writer to athlete, student to teacher, or editor to administrator, everyone at Redwood is connected through spirit and the Gigantea. That’s what makes our group so special. 

I have had the privilege to be a writer for three years, editor for two, and 2023-24 Co Editor in Chief, alongside my dear friend, Donya Hassanshahi.

I am so thankful for everything The Redwood Gigantea has taught me. Life lessons from ‘The Book of Miller’ and leadership skills from ‘First Five’ will always be on my Thanksgiving hand turkey. 

I can only hope that the Gigantea will be protected and loved by the future generations of writers and editors, the same way myself and those before me have. 

As my deadline as Editor in Chief approaches, a new story is being assigned to me, San Diego State University’s Journalism and Media Studies school. I can’t wait to say that my high school newspaper taught me to “Make it Big. Do it Right. Give it class.” 

All those in favor of adjourning my term, say “I”.

DONYA

I walked into high school with room 207 being my first period. I will walk out of high school with room 207 being my last.

The first lesson I learned that could be applied to my academic and personal endeavors was in room 207. My advisor, Mr. Nicholas Miller, began the course by introducing my classmates, rather than himself.

I always thought that teachers were supposed to teach their students traditionally. I’ve come to the realization that a teacher is meant to guide their students. A student is meant to learn from their interactions with others—from their success and their failures.

During my three years working for the Gigantea, I’ve held numerous titles. From a freshman writer, to editor of the Clubs & Lifestyles and Humans of Redwood pages, my time concludes as Editor-in-Chief. The leadership that I’ve accumulated from my interactions with journalists and Rangers have grown immensely.

Rather than awaiting news, I seek the story. My admiration for storytelling goes beyond the limitations of “what,” but also includes the “who,” “when,” “where,” and “how.”

On the first day of my freshman year, Mr. Miller proposed his goal for the year; we had just returned from online learning. Looking around his classroom, the creativity of the space radiated. The goal for the year was to ask our interviewees: “How does it feel?”

I’ve carried that with me throughout high school. By neglecting that question, the humanity of a story is minimized. “How does it feel?” begs us to acknowledge the emotion behind the facts.

The future of the Redwood Gigantea is in the hands of the finest leadership, and I feel confident that the years to come will: “Make it Big. Do it Right. Give it class.” It has been a splendid journey—this year, with my friend and partner: Miss Brienna Burr.

Tags: 2024, Brienna Burr, Donya Hassanshahi, gigantea, graduation, graduation 2024, news, opinion, rangers, Redwood, redwood gigantea, redwood high school, redwood journalism, rhs, visalia ca