Reporting and Writing
The goal of this feature was to report on how Archer students were impacted by and responding to Trump’s proposed rollback of protections for transgender individuals. I wanted to ensure that the voices of transgender and nonbinary students were represented with care and accuracy, while also providing readers with clear context about the policy itself. One of my biggest challenges was navigating interviews around such a personal and emotional topic, and balancing activism with journalistic integrity. In the end, I’m proud of how this piece highlights both the resilience of our student body and the importance of speaking out, even when the subject matter is difficult.
Writing this story was a deeply meaningful and challenging process, as I aimed to navigate a complex and emotional topic with care, accuracy, and respect for all perspectives. This type of reporting highlights my and The Oracle's commitment to diversity when reporting on a diverse student body. My guiding goal in this process was to highlight how students and faculty found community and connection in the wake of a global crisis, especially within a school setting. I faced challenges in the beginning like self-censorship and fear of upsetting readers for including different perspectives. Ultimately I'm proud of what this piece became, and it's ability to localize a global issue.
As my second Big Story, I knew I wanted to cover some type of cultural phenomenon that was influencing out community. I had hesitations choosing Pickleball because it is more lighthearted than other Big Story topics in the past. I was, however, proud that I stuck with this topic because I gained a deeper appreciation for how sports can bring people together and spark joy. Persevering to talk with expert and profession sources was rewarding as I watched my story come together. I learned how even lighthearted topics can reveal deeper truths about community, belonging, and the role of play in our everyday lives.
Writing about a global institution’s relevance in a way that felt accessible and engaging was a challenge, especially as this was one of my first opinion pieces. My goal was to encourage readers to critically examine the UN's strengths and flaws, while still seeing the importance of its mission. Throughout the process, I learned how difficult it can be to remain both analytical and fair when exploring large, complex systems. I’m proud of how this piece connects international issues to the concerns of young people today, and how it sparked meaningful questions about global responsibility and reform.
Features
As my first big story, I wanted to learn more about a topic I was both confused by and interested in. In the age of social media there was a paradox of people overly engaging and not engaging in discourse with one another. One challenge I faced was distilling complex ideas about discourse and polarization into a narrative that felt both accessible and thought-provoking. The interviews and conversations I was able to have because of this story we invaluable, so I'm proud that I was able to share was I found in this feature.
News
When my English teacher shared that no one had ever covered the monologue assignment for The Oracle, I was shocked. This assignment is a perfect reflection of Archer's approach to social emotional learning in the classroom, and I was passionate about reporting on how it impacts the junior class each year. Because the monologue assignment is so personal, it was difficult to find sources who were willing to discuss their experience; however, through perseverance and genuine curiosity, I sought out the sources who were willing.
Sports
When beginning this story, I knew I needed to find a unique angel to avoid repeating the same types of sports coverage in the past. Though the team was succeeding in their league in terms of games won, there was a beauty and passion that I observed behind the scenes. I saw how team culture and positive coaching can redefine success beyond just the scoreboard.
Opinion
After years of following Pitchfork and Rollingstone, music journalism is a huge inspiration for the way in which i approach my own work. I found it challenging to balance honoring Mac Miller's legacy, while critically analyzing his album, "Balloonerism." There was a level of objectivity I was trying to maintain for credibility, which ended up being a valuable lesson in opinion writing. Through this process, I gained a deeper appreciation for the complexities of posthumous releases and the lasting influence of an artist's work.
I loved delving into this story because it showed me and (hopefully) others the intersection of art and community at Archer. Often, it can be easy to forget that teachers and faculty members, like students, have niches and passion projects. I was inspired by this particular story because I had never seen connections between students and faculty fostered through the arts. I found it challenging to land on a specific angle for this story, toggling between teachers journey with art, community and connection, and the impact of the art; however, I quickly learned that it was possible to cover all of it within this story.
Writing this story was an opportunity to highlight the collaboration between students and administration in creating a more inclusive environment at Archer. Through this process, I learned the significance of giving voice to underrepresented communities and the impact of inclusive policies in educational settings. This experience reinforced the role of journalism in fostering understanding and promoting equity within our school community.
Writing this piece was an incredible experience as I followed a JV volleyball team learning to grow together in real time. With so many freshmen stepping into new roles, one challenge was showing their progress without focusing only on wins or losses. In the end, I learned how sports stories can highlight resilience, connection, and the quiet confidence that builds over a season.
This was one of the first personal pieces I wrote for the Oracle, and I began the writing process feeling nervous about public perception of my experience. For a broader audience, I aimed to illustrate how family dynamics can influence personal growth and leadership development; however, I also just wanted to show appreciation for my sister because she is a large part of my life. I'm proud of this piece because I learned that my personal voice is valuable to The Oracle.