Personal Narrative

With our senior magazine deadline approaching, tension was in the air. In addition to the routine stressors, there was a last-minute disagreement between the administration and our staff about the inclusion of an interview about a senior's post-secondary plans to pursue missionary. When I joined Spartan Banner, I did not expect to take part in such a heavy decision. As a sophomore, my only experience included embarrassing myself in skits for the middle school news network and watching Gilmore Girls. 

While the ultimate decision was not easy, we came to a final compromise to keep the interview since we were not promoting religion, but rather giving this student an outlet to express her own experiences in a non-disruptive way. 

Looking back, this decision was more than just a simple editorial choice, it was representative of the creative freedoms that student journalists hold. As the online editor-in-chief, I encourage students to embrace their ideas and values throughout the journalistic process. Seeing freshmen and sophomores progress reminds me of the creative and stylistic growth I have experienced as a writer during these past four years. When I first started writing for my school’s newspaper, I wrote timidly. Words just would not roll off the tip of my pen the way they would if I was communicating my ideas verbally. Writing for school was completely different from writing for publication. However, as time went on, I began to get a hold of my style of journalist writing. In the process, I developed closer bonds with my peers in the Spartan Banner as I worked with them to brainstorm ideas, write articles, and share feedback. 

Outside of school, I joined the Los Angeles Times High School Insiders Journalism program and started my own blog on a Medium called Health Education Advocates. Through Health Education Advocates I bring awareness to global health topics through my blog and outreach events where I visit local elementary schools. Being a student journalist has improved my writing abilities and has encouraged me to stay informed about current local and global news and offer my take on different stories. For example, during Asian American Pacific Islanders month, I wrote two articles, one for my medium blog and the other for the Spartan Banner. In the article for Medium, I discussed the effects of the Model Minority myth on Asian American representation in medical research. As I continued to learn more about the model minority myth, I decided to extend my research by writing an article for my school’s newspaper that focused on the experiences of Asian American students at my school. For this article, I conducted several interviews and gained valuable insight into ways that the model minority myth and other stereotypes can affect high school students. 

In my current role as the online editor-in-chief, I edit articles and review articles that have already been edited before they are published on the online website. However, I also help writers refine their ideas to be unique and novel in their approach. I simultaneously encourage students to write about issues that truly matter to them on a personal level. Additionally, I understand how the process of editing can become frustrating. Therefore, I have encouraged writers and editors to meet in person to talk through the changes being made to ensure that the writer’s voice still shines through. If an editor is not immediately available, I have also curated a comprehensive collection of resources through a shared Google that students can use as guides to help them through the writing process. 

Aside from writing and editing, throughout these past years, the Spartan Banner has grown into a tight-knit community of passionate students. Each week, I find myself looking forward to our weekly Wednesday meetings, where we not only work on the online and print publications but also support each other on a professional and personal level. 

Furthermore, being a part of the Spartan Banner has also provided me with a unique opportunity to engage with a larger network of Journalists. Collaborating with members of the Milwaukee Press Club and the Publisher of Brookfield Livings Magazine has been an eye-opening experience that has further encouraged me to pursue journalism. 

 I am immensely grateful to have had the opportunity to be exposed to journalism in high school. While being a part of the middle school news network built my confidence, contributing to the Spartan Banner has allowed me to refine my journalistic skills to the highest degree, while mutually learning from and teaching my peers as well. As I enter college, I plan to study public health and journalism. Outside of the classroom, I will continue to have an active role in my university student-led newspaper and continue to advocate for student press freedoms, public health, and Asian American representation in the media. Additionally, I plan to apply my creativity, leadership, and problem-solving skills in a meaningful career in public health journalism.