Above, I'm adjusting my camera as I film a video interview.

ABOUT

Welcome to my About page!

My name is Claire Bauer, or, as I'm affectionately known as in our media lab, "Claire Bear Bauerrrrr," "Buh Buh Buh Bauer" and "Grizzly Claire." I'm a senior. I've been on staff for the past three years, having freelanced the first year. I'm currently the sole Editor-in-Chief of the Rock Online, the student newspaper at Rock Canyon High School.

Looking to the future, I plan to get a bachelor's degree in Journalism at a four-year university.

Scroll through this page to view contact information, awards I've won, my personal narrative, letters of recommendation, and my resume.

The Rock Online

rockmediaonline.org

therocknewspaperonline@gmail.com

Instagram, X & Facebook: @rcrockmedia


Rock Canyon High School

rockcanyonjags.com

303-387-3000 

Rock Canyon High School

5810 McArthur Ranch Rd, Littleton, CO 80124


Contact

Claire Bauer

720-998-3245

Clairebauer939@gmail.com

Instagram & X: @clairebearbauer


Adviser Kristi Rathbun

303-819-6224

Kristi.rathbun@dcsdk12.org



Douglas County School District

303-387-0033

https://www.dcsdk12.org/

Stacy Rader, Communications Officer

Paula Hans, Public Information Officer


Castle Pines Connection

303-785-6520

www.castlepinesconnection.com

The Castle Pines Connection, LLC

7437 Village Square Drive, Suite 220

Castle Pines, CO 80108

Local Media & Stake-holder Contact

Denver 7 News

303-832-7777

denver7.com

newstips@denver7.com

123 E. Speer Blvd.

Denver, CO 80203-3147

AWARDS

Journalism, Individual (by ranking):


Journalism, Staff (chronologically):

PERSONAL NARRATIVE

I'm a freshman. I'm sitting alone in the hallway, studying for a test.

I see the senior Editor-in-Chief walk by.

"What are you doing out here? Come study with us in the lab," she says.

I follow.

Suddenly, it's a habit. I begin to go to room 4113 without thinking--for lunch, off periods, study hall, even before and after school. My feet know the well-worn path I take without a second thought. 

As I spend my minutes, days, months, years in that room, I learn more about myself, and even more about everyone else. I learn that everyone sees life differently.

You might see it through glasses, watch it go by through the phone, through others. My time spent on staff has shaped me to see life through a lens. A camera lens, to be exact. 

Sometimes it’s from a 35 mm view—a portrait lens, an up-close and personal, a slow but in-depth view. A view from the inside, even, experiencing relationships, events, trials and tribulations myself. Sometimes, it’s from a 300 mm view—a sports or scenery lens, a far-away, fast-moving but distant view. A view that comes from the outside but still pays attention, taking extra notice of people, my community, etc. Sometimes, it’s even a fisheye lens, taking in a wider view of a bigger issue, such as politics.

By that, I don't just mean literally, such as when photographing an event. I mean that I see opportunity in the world around me. 

As the youngest of three siblings, I never really felt like I belonged—didn't play a sport, excel in a club, or make it past the second row of the Spelling Bee—I often felt like I didn’t have a voice. It was challenging. 

When I tried out my school’s Journalism class on a whim, I finally found my niche, and in turn, my voice. As I progressed, climbing the ranks of my school’s newspaper, even inventing positions not previously present, I in turn gained courage and confidence in myself, strengthening that voice. 

That strengthened voice gave me a route to outside successes, too. I found myself speaking up in class, using reporting techniques for my classes, and so on.

My teacher preached having our “news antenna” up: looking and listening for story ideas, strong opinions, potential news or conflicts. As I began carrying a camera around with me and keeping this antenna up, I found myself looking through that camera lens, always scouting opportunities.

Yeah, the musical was funny, but did you know it made school history? I see my parents fight, and yes, I see it in front of me, but I see a story, too. Who else is affected by this? How many kids feel the same? Who, why, when? Wow, our wrestling captain became state runner-up! Did you know the 12-year journey it took him to get there, the story behind his injuries and accomplishments? You attended the dance and cheered at an assembly, but who put those together?

I found these stories, and made them known. Gave others my voice. Reported on good and bad parts, through the good and bad parts of my own life. Through my photos and the extensive reporting that accompanied them, I did more than just show people what happened—I made them feel it.

I gained courage and confidence in my abilities, which allowed me to branch out in my reporting. From capturing the moment varsity volleyball stepped back onto their home court for the first time in three years and following the wrestling team throughout the best season the school has ever seen, to in-class experiments, walkouts and spirit week events, I covered more and a wider variety of events than I ever even attended before. All of these, and more, remain ingrained in my memory and documented on the online news source, The Rock Online.

I've had salt and pepper packets thrown at me while covering political protests. I've been hit by players and balls alike while photographing sporting events. I've spent hours in the freezing cold, burning sun and whistling winds, just to get the shots that I had my eyes on since before I even got to the event—shots I dreamed of just from looking through my own eyes, my lens on life.

Everyone has a story. Not everyone tells it. 

I've given so much of myself to my reporting and to the media program, and yet, somehow, it's given me even more back.

As I look to pursue journalism, I look to continue to use my lens-eye to create and find opportunities. To tell other people’s life stories, and in turn, write my own, bringing my thoughts, skills, and most importantly, my view on life, with me.

I see a freshman reporter sitting alone in the hallway, studying.

I walk by.

"What are you doing out here? Come study with us in the lab," I say.

She follows.

LETTERS OF RECOMMENDATION

RESUME

Claire Bauer - Resume