Three Years in: Behind the Scenes of High School Journalism

By: Donya Hassanshahi

This editorial is part of a series highlighting why high school journalism matters.

How do our stories define us?

There comes a point in every student’s career where one must prioritize their responsibilities and account for the time they have. Entering high school, encounters where an older figure asks you what your future plans are awkward because the response is typically, “I don’t know”. 

Having been a dedicated journalist for the past three years, I live in the past, present, and future. Although my body is the present as I type away, my mind is exploring all possible contents of creativity. 

At fourteen years old, my voice was valued immensely. Fellow journalists, students, faculty, friends, and family took the time to indulge in what I had to say. Truthfully, the words were never mine—they were the speech of others and I simply fabricated them to make a whole. 

I am a part of something bigger than myself.

Room 207 is the designated creative space. It’s a place where students come to ignite passion within others. From the get-go, I aspired to be a four-year member of the Redwood Gigantea. But, life doesn’t always go as planned. As I pursue graduating a year early, the leadership and well-rounded perspective journalism has granted me cannot be reciprocated.

Journalism isn’t just a class—it’s a form of connection. Everywhere, and everything, is a base for information. Like unlocking your phone; you go to update yourself on the latest. Imagine the disorientation that would accompany the sense of unknowing. Growth in a community, intellect accumulated by a person, will not be attained at the greatest potential because ignorance is, in fact, not bliss. 

In education, journalism enhances personal and academic aspects. The course is a learning opportunity, but it is also constructed of individuals who want to contribute to their community. A study comparing testing scores and college success rates from 1987 and 2008 demonstrates the advance journalism students have over those uninvolved. For starters, the performance rates of college readiness and one’s expressiveness were reordered as significantly higher.

Three years ago in August, tell me to approach a stranger in the friendliest manner. My initial thought would have been, “Who would want to take the time to talk to me about…” (spoiler alert: I was 101% wrong. People absolutely love it when someone takes the time to acknowledge what they have such a deep regard for.)

I didn’t know how to approach a simple handshake while maintaining eye contact. It was like my brain knew what to do, but the movements were not aligning. It wasn’t until I obtained the confidence to orchestrate both simultaneously.

Flash forward two years later…I’ve experienced it all as a: writer, editor for the Humans of Redwood and Clubs & Lifestyles sections, and current co-Editor-in-Chief. 

El Diamante, a public high school in Visalia, has recently followed in journalism. Their students are beginning to unravel the paths that can be paved by being in the know. Whether stories are written about the latest school board, a conclusion to the 2023-2024 winter sports season, or post-musical, student voices are resonating with hundreds of other students throughout local and non-local districts. 

Journalism is often reminisced, being referred to as a dying art. Yet, it’s the process that is the most memorable. 

How do our stories define us?

I’ll start taking notes as you share your experiences.

The Redwood Gigantea is just one stepping stone to voicing a body that doesn’t think they have a say. The Redwood Gigantea is a place where your opinions are valued. The Redwood Gigantea is an example of high school journalism. The Redwood Gigantea says: make it big. do it right. give it class.

To that, I say: make it big. do it right. give it class.

Tags: Donya Hassanshahi, journalism, opinion, rangers, Redwood, redwood gigantea, redwood high school, redwood journalism, redwood rangers, visalia ca