The three senior editors, Roslyn Risner, Aidan Field, and Vyolet Burrus (left to right), holding up their newest print feature! Photo courtesy of Freshman Herschel Joyce.
There are many talented reporters in San Luis Obispo High School’s journalism class, but three seniors have spent years working hard in this class. From editing newcomers’ articles, to making their own awesome new articles and designing pages, they carry Expressions.
Seniors Vyolet Burrus and Aidan Field have served as Co-Editor-in-Chiefs for the last two years, with Burrus having taken eleven trimesters of the class and Field eight trimesters. Senior Roslyn Risner served as Arts & Entertainment editor in trimester two, returning to the class for her fourth trimester. Field is currently Web and Opinion editor while Burrus manages the social media and is the Feature editor.
To find out more about their experiences in journalism, Expressions interviewed these three experienced seniors.
Expressions: When did you start newspaper?
Senior Aidan Field: I started newspaper in my first trimester freshman year. I started out as a reporter and I really liked writing for opinion specifically. My first article was actually about Hobby Lobby, which was opening up in SLO, and I was arguing that students shouldn’t shop there because of their support of christian nationalism.
Senior Vyolet Burrus: Newspaper has been somewhat of an obsession for me since I joined freshman year. I’ve edited for Health & Sports and Arts & Entertainment at various times, but Feature has been my favorite because it changes so much from issue to issue.
Senior Roslyn Risner: I started newspaper as a reporter my sophomore year, on recommendation from Vyolet (also because I thought it would be fun) and edited for the first time on People & Culture during my junior year.
Expressions: Why do you keep coming back to newspaper?
Field: I came back to newspaper originally because I realized I could be an editor and it was going to be a great opportunity to try something that was both new and familiar. I worked with reporters and editors and enjoyed it. It was fun trying new things and writing about things that I cared about. Further on, it became both something that I enjoyed and a responsibility after I built our website and started longer term projects. I eventually became Co-Editor-in-Chief and the web editor which became very fulfilling.
Burrus: Newspaper has not only given me the freedom to write whatever I’m passionate about, but I’ve met so many amazing people because of it. It feels like I’m a part of something larger, like my voice matters and over time I’ve made the space my own.
Risner: I return to newspaper because I enjoy the environment and I also love writing. After becoming an editor for the first time I knew I’d have to come back because the experience was one that helped me combat the anxieties of talking to new people, and sharing my writing with others, all while being enjoyable.”
Expressions: What have you learned from the class and why should people take the class?
Field: I learned how to build a website and also how to lead better. My public speaking has improved through the class. Students should really take this class if they have strong opinions and if they have art or writing that they want to get published. It is a great opportunity to put yourself out there in a professional way. You learn so many different skills and it truly touches on so many different things like graphic design, photography, writing, and more.
Burrus: I’ve gotten a lot more comfortable with talking to strangers and my writing has definitely improved. I feel generally more connected with the school too, because we report on so many different aspects of the community. We’re always looking for new reporters. Even if writing isn’t your strong suit, there’s always a way for people to contribute.
Risner: I’ve definitely learned a lot from my time as an editor, from learning to trust my writing abilities, to giving and accepting constructive criticism; it’s overall been an experience of rapid growth for me. Anyone who loves to write, or is looking for a way to work on their people skills should absolutely take newspaper. By the end of the course, not only will one have a repertoire of published articles but it inspires a huge leap in confidence for anyone who’s never published their writing before.
Expressions: What is your favorite article you’ve written or one of your most memorable experiences?
Field: One of my most memorable articles was talking about the taxidermy tiger that was taken from SLOHS. It has a really interesting history and the fact that it is still missing from SLOHS was also interesting. There were so many memorable experiences though. This past trimester I had to edit pages while I was in Europe, which was honestly kind of a fun and stressful experience. A lot of this class can be described in that way. I’m definitely going to remember this latest issue though.
Burrus: I love ranting about my favorite movies and artists. I’ve written about “The Breakfast Club,” Sabrina Carpenter, “Edward Scissorhands,”and a few others. However, the first article that made me really passionate about journalism was actually more serious and about addiction’s effects on families. Even though I write about more trivial things, I do enjoy tackling serious issues when the need arises.
Risner: My favorite web article was from the first trimester this year and it was covering the recent ban on personal chromebooks. I really like writing opinion when I care about the issue and at the time as someone who consistently used my personal chromebook until this year the ban seemed outrageous. As an editor I enjoyed this most recent issue, the sin feature because this trimester’s class has been, while overwhelming, very entertaining.
Expressions: Do you plan on pursuing any form of journalism in the future?
Field: I’m going to be a mechanical engineering major in college, but I definitely aim to continue journalism in some ways. I run competitively and I want to document other athletes and their journeys because there are so many important topics that can be covered that really aren’t being talked about right now. I’m also a big fan of long form journalism and cultural anthropologies. I’m not quite sure what my future in journalism will look like given my current career trajectory, but I’m going to be open to different opportunities. I hope journalism and the perspective I’ve gained from it will be my way to bring my entire humanity into my professions.
Burrus: As of now, I don’t plan on pursuing any career in journalism, but I definitely plan on contributing to my college’s paper and maybe taking some journalism classes since newspaper has been such a large part of my life.
Risner: While I doubt that I will go into a field directly tied to journalism, I know that the skills I’ve developed here will help me in my career path regardless of where I wind up. I also know that writing is something that I will always do, at least as a hobby and because of this I’m grateful to have had the experience of being in this class and working with my peers to not only get a paper out but create a space for development of ideas and interests that can be difficult to find in core curriculum high school classes.
Overall the editors in this class have been a big help to the school, writing awesome articles, and helping newer students improve their writing and journalism skills!
