“The story of San Juan Hills as told by its students.”
As members of The Express staff, we delve into the lives of our peers, forming and growing connections and relationships that create lasting marks on our campus. We have learned how to become not just informed citizens but also storytellers, amplifying the voices of the students, teachers, and staff here on campus as well as those of the broader community.
By documenting Varsity Boys Basketball’s trip to the state finals, capturing Virtual Enterprise’s various start-ups, and informing students about clubs like Academic Decathlon and Best Buddies, we have dedicated ourselves to representing the unique experiences of the Stallion population.
As seniors, we’ve learned the importance of exercising our freedom of speech and the press from Mr. Kaiser, Mrs. Osborn, and Mrs. Heavalin-Martinez. We’ve studied the monumental precedents set in Tinker v Des Moines and Hazlewood v Kuhlmier that opened the doors to unrestricted student speech. At the start of every year, we watch “Raise Your Voice”: a powerful documentary showcasing the vitality of student voices making change in the midst of adversity.
These moments in history have been a catalyst for our own inspiration, igniting our passion to speak without filter about the experiences – good, bad, and in-between – we as high school students face. Similarly, through the Express platform, we have cultivated the unique ability and dedication to share our perspectives on national and world issues.
In the newsroom, we’ve grown our own skills of writing, photography, and audio/visual skills. Under tight two-week deadlines, we participated in collaborative pitch meetings, conducted countless interviews, developed stories that exhibit professional journalism.
Alongside our individual skills, we have cultivated the ability to work as a team, encouraging multiple perspectives and angles. Our class puts a large emphasis on student leadership, and as editors and staff writers, we learned how to work across various disciplines to put forth our best work with each story published.
As our high school career comes to a close and graduation draws near, the transferable skills we have learned are a comfort as we enter the world beyond San Juan Hills. The valuable lessons we have gathered through our time on The Express have taught us to embrace vulnerability even when uncomfortable, speak up for those who go unheard, and pursue authenticity in every chapter of life.
