From the reporter
When I first joined yearbook, I didn’t care much about the writing. I thought, “No one’s going to read it anyway,” so I focused on making...
Jul 25
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Reporting & Writing
Reporting & Writing
Teaching Copy
Writing Samples
Connor Hsiao Media And Management
Writing Samples
Girls Cross Country Story Improvements — Full Story
After covering cross country in my freshman year, I chose to cover it again. This time, I took a more journalistic approach after learning how to write stronger copy at our convention, focusing the angle on underclassmen.
GIRLS CROSS COUNTRY 2022-2023
Cross Country was a unique and different sport where athletes had a strong support system from several sources, such as the team, coaches, and loved ones. Learners chose Cross Country had many reasons for choosing, one of which included being inspired and encouraged by loved ones.
“[I joined cross country] because both of my parents were into running, and they wanted me to try something new,” said Ruby “Bea” Ross '26.
Grows:
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biased wording
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generic platitude, not specific to season
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quote can apply to any athlete
See how I improved as a copywriter through these two short excerpts.
GIRLS CROSS COUNTRY 2024-2025
With adrenaline coursing through their veins and sweat dripping down their necks, the varsity girls cross country team sprinted to the finish line to secure a consecutive Pacific Coast League (PCL) runner-up title on Nov. 6. Behind their win, underclassmen claimed four of the five scoring spots, with Audrey
Lin '28 and Azra Gereck '28 finished ninth and 11th overall at league finals.
"We had a lot of new talent, and these freshmen help[ed] sustain the program because they were going to be here for a long period. The freshman and sophomores had good [sub-20] times to qualify us for CIF, which also pushed me too," said Lillian "Lily" Campbell '26.
Glows:
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catchy hook
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specific lexicon to athletics with date
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names of athletes and their placements
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specific fact in quote
Trying Something New
I prioritized accurate and neutral election coverage by utilizing the alternative copy format to present diverse student perspectives through direct quotes. This approach allowed the voices of others to shape the narrative.
FORMAT Start with headline to tease the topic
PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION 2024
What factors impacted the election?
VOTER READINESS
"I [thought] a lot of people were not ready for change such as having our first [female] president. Trump ended up with a lot more support from billionaires. I was hoping for Kamala to win this time, and it seemed as though she had a fair chance. Unfortunately, it did not take long before it became obvious Trump would win. It wasn't a surprise, as it was probably inevitable, but it was still a disappointment."
– FRANCESCA "FRANKIE" HOLLAND '27
QUOTE All of the information presents opinions and facts, highlighting a student voice of disappointment regarding the election
My Favorite Captions
As the sole school in our district, we utilize the ABCD caption. While ABCD captions can be more challenging than the story itself due to their length, the reward is evident when we hear people at distribution say, "Oh, I forgot about that," or "Oh yeah, that did happen." These storytelling captions make documenting history worthwhile, amplifying voices in those brief moments.
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BULLSEYE - WELCOME BACK CARNIVAL, 2024
As the mechanical bull spins in a circular motion, Andrea “Andi” Ruiz ‘24 holds on to the pole attached to the machine, trying not to fall. While most events were spectator-based, this event differed because of the activities, which allowed it to be interactive. The carnival was about competing with friends. My friend, Serena [Wang 25], and I competed to see who could stay [on the bull] the longest, and she won,” said Ruiz.
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Hitting a final ripple, Avery Brehmer '27, Sophie Lai '26, and Jiayi "Ellie" Pan '26 extend their arms in sync to "Calling All the Monsters" by China Anne McClain during the sophomore Homecoming Pep Rally dance on Oct. 18. Blending footwork with isolations, Dance Company brought their Monsters, Inc. theme to life in pink costumes inspired by Boo, proving the routine was more than just a performance—a moment of unity. "It was the first time this year [where] we were all on the same page, cheering each other on and having fun together," said Lai.
MONSTERS ON THE MOVE - FALL DIVIDER, 2025
Arms draped over each other's shoulders, Hudson Myung '25, Brandon Toorani '25, Tyler Nong '26, and Gavin Nguyen '26 huddle around Coach Brian Smith for a strategy briefing during the game against Sage Hill. For the varsity boys, preparation was more than just practices—it included early morning weight room sessions, summer club training at Westside, and tournaments in San Diego. "We played different teams as well during our trips [to get more experience]. The varsity team focused a lot more on energy this year. We started playing music during practice in the gym to keep morale high," said Toorani.
BEYOND POINTS ON THE BOARD - CLOSING, 2025
Inside the gym for their showcase on Feb. 27, flyers Addison "Addi" Arredondo '27, Rhys Riordan '26, and Hanna Kim '25 hold their high Vs at the peak of a level two pyramid. In its inaugural season, STUNT pushed athletes to train ten hours a week, offering recruitment opportunities and establishing itself as the district's only STUNT program—separate from sideline and competitive cheer. " [STUNT] brought a new perspective [on] how cheer [wasn't just girls with bows in their hair [yelling] 'Go Team' for other sports. We [were our own sport, and proved our strength and skills [weren't] just for show. The most important part [was] how it separated us from performance and recognize[d] us as athletes," said Kim.
LOOK AT 'EM FLY - SPRING DIVIDER, 2025
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