The Ladies Behind the Mic

Senior%2C+Brianna+Rodriguez+%28right%29+and+sophomore%2C+Taylor+Schwalbe+%28left%29+speak+into+the+intercom+to+deliver+the+daily+announcements.++%0A

Libby Gorton

Senior, Brianna Rodriguez (right) and sophomore, Taylor Schwalbe (left) speak into the intercom to deliver the daily announcements.

Libby Gorton and McKenzie M

As soon as the tutorial bell rings, students wait to listen to their daily announcements over the speaker; the peppy voices behind these messages are Brianna Rodriguez and Taylor Schwalbe.

As it is her first year, Schwalbe is learning to do the announcements with Rodriguez’s help.

“The first time that I did the announcements I was super nervous; I still get nervous!” said sophomore Schwalbe.

She considers the announcements a fun bonus to her position, as she was originally drawn into publicity for the creative aspect.  She intends to take part in this for the remainder of her high school career.

Because announcements are part of the publicity position, Rodriguez wanted to make sure she would still be able to do the announcements even if she became ASB President. After her successful first year in ASB, newbie Schwalbe was chosen to speak alongside the veteran out of the other three publicity members.

Taylor is brand new, but her voice is really great; both girls are really easy to listen to

— Brooke Valderrama

The girls alternate during the day’s announcements, but the “top dog” Rodriguez will always say the Pledge of Allegiance and the closing.  

Rodriguez’s favorite part is coming up with all of the weird names to go with the days of the week in the closing, such as Whimsical Wednesday, Freaky Friday, or more memorable ones like Tickle-Tickle Tuesday.

“My friend told me to do Tickle-Tickle Tuesday and after I said it over the loudspeaker, there was a huge reaction from [sic] it from both teachers and students. This was last year and people still talk about it today,” said senior Rodriguez.

ASB director, Brooke Valderrama, says she is really impressed with how well the girls have performed: “Taylor is brand new, but her voice is really great; both girls are really easy to listen to,” said Valderrama.

“Brianna is a good role model to Taylor; [sic] so much that next year, when Brianna graduates, Taylor will be able to train the next person,” added Valderrama.

Both girls will continue this responsibility for the rest of the year and are proud to know they are making SJHHS history.