The first time I knew I wanted to get involved with journalism was at the end of seventh grade. I received a copy of our school yearbook; on the shiny hardcover book there lay original artwork done by a fellow student. The journalism track at West High showed me a path where I could apply my art skills to reach people, and it would also allow me to meet more people, improve skills in all areas of my life and produce work that I am proud to present as a journalist for West Side Story, or WSS. 

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In eighth grade, the competition for designing the yearbook cover was announced and I decided to take the leap. The joy I felt when my artwork was chosen as the winning cover was unparalleled by any of my prior personal accomplishments. Being an artist has always been just a hobby of mine. Since I first grabbed a crayon, drawing has had an impact on my life. My favorite thing about art is the limitless possibilities that stem from the subject. I’ve used art as an application towards my academic and cultural understanding of the world. Growing up I experimented with different mediums of art, ranging from black and white drawing to watercolors. I also found digital art, using it as a way to practice outside of my comfort zone. Over time I became involved in the art community online, following and interacting with artists from all over the world. I used resources and applied knowledge that artists provided from their own experiences. The art community has allowed me to meet people both similar and different from me. I started using my art as a way to express myself, but also as a way to enhance my learning. Often for projects I would decide to do multimedia, using my creativity to further my knowledge on the subject. For example, I drew a digital poster on magnetoreception and the relation to sharks. It was when I decided to submit for the contest that I realized that I could utilize art in areas other than schoolwork and my enjoyment at home. 

 

In my English class in eighth grade, three journalists from West Side Story visited to pitch journalism to a bunch of bored pre-teens. However, I was enraptured. I remember a big list of possible applications of journalism and what the program at West High offers to people with different interests. Due to course disruptions caused by the  COVID-19 pandemic, I wasn’t able to join the prerequisite class, Foundations of Journalism, until my sophomore year. While I do regret that I did not start earlier, I realized that I would not be where I am today without my exact experiences. While in Foundations, I began to have doubts about whether I could join the print staff. I pride myself in having a wide range of interests, meaning that often my schedule was fully booked. Between the commitments from being a varsity runner, a top flute player, and having a competitive class schedule, I wasn’t sure how I would be able to include my love for art when I barely had time for it outside of school. My advisor, Sara Whittaker, pushed me to take a chance. She saw the value I could bring to become a member of WSS and offered me a position to intern with the print staff my third trimester. I shadowed a designer and was given the opportunity to include my art into the cover design of that newspaper cycle. I seized that opportunity and in my junior year I joined the staff as an artist and designer. Taking that chance has taught me valuable lessons and skills that I could not have learned without journalism by my side. 

 

Since then, I have contributed to WSS with six double-page spreads, three single pages, two front covers and one back cover, and two six-page cover story designs. I have also produced timely news online and written a piece on my opinion on artificial art for print. Each spread or story I have worked on has taught me something about myself and the others around me. Every piece I’ve worked on I have decided to focus on a different or new skill of mine. From perspective work to color choices, I absorbed as much knowledge from my experiences as possible. What I learned from my junior year is applied towards helping my staff to further their capabilities and skills in journalism. 

I experiment with different mediums in almost every single artwork or design I produce. I’ve learned to use Adobe Illustrator, Photoshop, Premiere Pro and other software. In my opinion piece, “Art-ificial Art”, I used Blender for the first time, a three-dimensional modeling software that I might have never touched without WSS. I keep a constant file of inspiration I pick up from around me and on the internet. I use Procreate to experiment with different artistic styles to set the story’s tone and purpose. I use various techniques and characters to reach the individual reader and the entire audience. The community in WSS offers access to all different kinds of opportunities, such as journalism conferences or camps like Media Now at Drake University. We learn more about the world and journalism around us, constantly improving our work to uphold a high standard of journalism. Most importantly, my peers offer their experience and visions to help me improve and create meaningful work. Communication is vital in designers’ workplaces, and constructive criticism is necessary to develop my art consistently. 

 

After one year on staff, I was offered not only the position of design editor but opinion editor as well. My senior year of high school brought new challenges and obstacles to my journey in journalism. This year has taught me valuable lessons in leadership and communication. Being in charge of the group of designers and the writers under the opinion section has taught me the importance of trust and transparency. Unlike my previous design editors, who had fourteen designers on staff, I had to create closer relationships with the small group of designers I have in order to help their design process in journalism. Many of my staff members have to deal with personal issues that impede on our work in a journalistic setting. This has also happened in editorial writing.

 

Due to being the opinion editor, I lead editorial board meetings and oversee the writer assigned to the editorial. We’ve often had to deal with legal and personal issues with editorial writing, and it has taught me how to work with others in a professional manner about personal subjects. My strength comes from my willingness to aid others, and that’s what I bring to the table as an editor. I am often the one my colleagues come to to talk about complications in a safe setting. I also work side by side with our EIC to work on issues and produce our content in a timely manner. West Side Story is a place I consider home, and I work to make sure our entire staff feels the same as I do. 

Design and art are found in every corner of the world and is a language without words.

 

Art can set the tone for the piece and readers’ emotional and thought-provoking attention. Most importantly, art allows us to connect to others through similarities and differences. I am proud of the diverse, creative and informative community at West High School and the room I call home.