The Story Behind the Story: What Journalism Really Is

Editors and staff members share how the student-led newspaper fosters a supportive environment that values every contribution, proving there is a place for everyone in the newsroom.

By: Isabella Sutherland

Decades of tradition at the Redwood Gigantea have turned the newsroom into a sanctuary for all kinds of creatives, where seasoned editors and first-time contributors alike unite to amplify the school’s voice.

To Beth Musto, ’26, editor-in-chief of the Redwood Gigantea, the Gigantea means a lot to her. She says, “Talking to new people every day, getting to work with new people every day, and especially getting to work with an amazing group that will help you no matter what. It doesn’t matter if you’re writing for sports or clubs; they will help you no matter what. And there’s also just a very welcoming environment.”

The Gigantea is a space for anyone to come and write. The class as a whole welcomes anyone who wants to join.

Even if people do not like writing, there is a place for everyone, Musto says, “Even if you’re not a strong writer, we always have something for you. You could be our cartoonist, you could be our video person, or you could become a photographer for us. We have something for everyone here, and it’s just really fun.”

Journalism is a welcoming community full of people willing to help each other out and be guided by the editors and all the students in the class.

Before even writing, Musto says, “I make sure I have everything. Questions, interviews, people to interview, pictures, and just some background on my story. And then I start writing… But I make sure I have everything first before I start putting together my story.”

Adam Lopez, ’26, managing editor, says that journalism gives students a voice, “It gives students a voice, a louder voice, where they can share things that normally wouldn’t get the chance to share. So, I think it’s just a great tool for the student body to be heard.”

Journalism helps students’ voices shine by bringing a story to life, since their voices are able to be heard.

Lopez also says, “Students should join journalism because it’s great practice. You get to meet new people and you get to be out of class, and you just get to tell stories of people that normally wouldn’t be able to get their stories told.”

With a school newspaper, stories get to be told that aren’t normally shared.

Fabian Anguiano, ’28, a sports writer for the Gigantea, says that sports writing is very different from the other types of stories. He says, “I think because you have more knowledge of the athletes, you kind of know them better, you know the game better, and the stories come out faster because there’s always a game, competitions, or tournaments. I feel sports are easier to write just because they happen faster.”

Anguiano highlights how sports writing is often more immediate and can feel easier than other sections of journalism, since it’s constantly changing and fast-paced.

As many journalism students agree upon, journalism has many opportunities, as Anguiano says, “You get tons [of opportunities]. You get the opportunity to socialize and do podcasts. You can utilize your writing skills really well and just make an impact in the community. You’re ready to get to know the school better, and that’s a great thing.”

Journalism is also about building connections around the school and being involved in the community.

Community is a huge part of a journalism class, but it comes with responsibility. Nicholas Miller, the journalism teacher, says, “What we create and once we publish it, it is accessible to the world… another responsibility is the whole crew takes responsibility for the paper, because it’s a student-run newspaper, and so they have to basically take care of this thing called the Gigantea that has been in continuous publication since 1955. This paper is 71 years old, and it’s only through the hard work of kids on the staff that she’ll continue to go into the future.”

Along with that responsibility, students also begin to grow in ways that go beyond just writing, by developing skills that shape how they understand others and the world around them.

Miller also says, “A takeaway from this class, because not everybody’s going to be a journalist, you’re all going to be members of society. That’s an important thing. I think it also helps kids have a greater sense of empathy, because if you learn someone else’s story, it’s harder to hate them. And so I think that you gain a greater sense of empathy, care, and concern for your fellow man.”

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