Morgan Castaneda - Writer
I am a clubs and lifestyles writer for the Gigantea, and this is my first year in journalism. I love doing club spotlights the most because it shows off my interviewing skills and shows my love for deep diving into clubs and the communities they create on campus. I am most proud of the 5 stories that I've written by myself with the guidance of my section editor, but mostly displaying my independence as not only a writer, but someone with a job. I love being a journalist for Redwood's newspaper and I am proud to continue it to the next semester.
Semester 1 Stories
Redwood & Mt. Whitney ASB Presidents lead their way through Cowhide Week
This is a story of mine about the ASB Presidents from both Redwood and Mt. Whitney High Schools and their role during the infamous Cowhide Week. Both Presidents and activities directors from the schools expressed their excitement for the week and what roles they play in guiding their ASB members to running rallies and activities in preparations for the big game.
This story matters because it highlights the hefty roles of the ASB Presidents during the biggest rivalry football game of the year, getting students excited for the school's activities. This story shows my in-depth writing skills and the voice I am able to give to the students I'd interviewed.
Middle Eastern Club Embraces Diversity and Culture in Ranger Community
This is a club spotlight of mine that highlights the Middle Eastern Club, a club on Redwood's campus that offers an opportunity for a safe and comfortable space for students to learn about the Middle East and their cultures. Students that are Middle Eastern and students who aren't are all welcome to the club to create a better environment for sharing their different cultures through food, music, activities, and more.
This story is important because it shows how well I try to give students on campus a voice to show the school that embraces the parts of themselves that they are proud of. By giving these students a voice, it can help others feel more comfortable with sharing their own.
Dance Force looks to dance their way
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Club 55 introduces their officer team and addresses club intents at first meeting
This is a club spotlight on Club 55, a mental health awareness club that kickstarted its first meeting of the year with introducing the members and assigning officer positions. This story goes over the different positions held in Club 55 and what it means to be a member, highlighting the roles in positively impacting students on campus.
This story is important in introducing a club starting up its second year on Redwood's campus that focuses on stigma surrounding teen's mental health and giving support to potentially struggling students. It gives a chance for students to read and hopefully join the club to meet many new people that are accepting and understanding of differing experiences.
Freshmen Express Excitement on getting Involved during annual Club Day
This is a story about Club Day and focuses on freshmen of the 2022-2023 school year's first experience with picking different clubs. This story includes the perspective of being a freshman during their first Club Day as well as the emphasis on encouraging students to join different clubs on Redwood's campus.
This story matters because it gives the freshmen on campus a voice to share their experiences with participating in school activities such as Club Day and joining all kinds of different clubs on campus. This was my first story with the Gigantea, kickstarting all of the progress I've made since the beginning of the school year.
Reflection
Where have I been?
Initially, I thought journalism class was going to be less independent (mostly in my case because it's my first year in the class). I had assumed that first-year students wouldn't be together with the second/third/fourth year students. Since I read the Gigantea before I took journalism class, I wondered what kind of training the students got before they could start publishing stories.
Where am I now?
I have gained immense interviewing skills since I've been in journalism class, increasing my confidence when talking to students I've never talked to before. I can write more smoothly and make easier understanding texts while getting my point through. Writing for this class has improved my writing skills, giving me another way to write.
Where am I going?
A few goals of mine would be to 1) write my stories faster and get them out sooner. Another would be to 2) get more interviews on my stories in order to include more voices and get more adult/teacher interviews in my stories. A goal for my section would be to communicate with each other as more of a team.