It’s been quite the year – and for many of our Boyle Heights Beat youth reporters, it was the first time reporting on their community.
It was also the first time our youth program led three cohorts: print, photography and podcasting. The print cohort published articles on community leaders and wrote profiles which will be published online and in our print publication early next year. The podcast cohort recorded an episode focused on the November election. And the photography cohort created photo essays covering a variety of topics, including street vendors, business owners and community events. Each group gained valuable insights about their community through their work.
As the year comes to a close, we asked our youth reporters to reflect on their growth and experiences over the past semester, share what they’ve learned and the stories they are excited to explore in the future.
Their responses have been slightly edited for clarity.
Maya Sanchez, Felicitas and Gonzalo Mendez High School, Print Cohort
This semester at BHB taught me to be a better writer and improve my time management both in and outside of school. This semester, I worked on a profile of my school nurse, which ended up shifting my perspective on how much effort people put in to achieve their futures. Through this profile, I not only gained a new friendship, but I also developed a deeper understanding of what my family went through to provide me with the opportunities I have today. Along the way, I learned valuable interviewing and writing skills from my editors and mentors. Looking ahead, I’m excited to start my next story, where I’ll tackle the stigmas placed on incarcerated individuals. I’m eager to share stories that are often overlooked and not commonly heard.
David Garcia, Felicitas and Gonzalo Mendez High School, Photography Cohort
This semester, I learned that many of our community members have untold stories and valuable perspectives on the world they live in—it’s just a matter of sparking a conversation with them. I worked on a photo essay and discovered how powerful a story can be when told through the lens of a camera. For my photo essay, I had the opportunity to document a local street vendor and share his valuable story. Moving forward, I’m most excited to continue photographing and capturing the heart of our community.
Reana Peña, Collegiate Charter High School of Los Angeles, Podcast Cohort
While working on a podcast this semester, I learned a lot about the November election and as a first-time voter, it was really helpful. I gained a better understanding of the policies of both presidential candidates at the time, Donald Trump and Kamala Harris. I also learned more about the former Councilmember for District 14, Kevin de León, particularly the controversy surrounding the audio of his racist remarks. Moving forward, I’m excited to apply the skills I’ve gained at Boyle Heights Beat to my future work in college.
Suri Meza, Theodore Roosevelt High School, Print Cohort
At Boyle Heights Beat this Fall, I honed my skills and learned about the differences between an academic paper and a news article, particularly in terms of structure and flow. I worked on a profile of an ethnic studies teacher at my high school, exploring the importance of the course and how it positively impacts students. Looking ahead, I’m excited to work on a feature story.
Dania Legido, Oscar De La Hoya Ánimo Charter High School, Photography Cohort
Boyle Heights Beat is a very open space, and this semester, I learned that it’s easier to make friends here than I had imagined. During my time here, I worked on operating a camera and taking photos. I learned how to use a Canon camera, adjusting for different lighting, angles, and locations, as well as how to enhance photos to capture the best possible shots. I also learned how to take portraits, landscapes, and identify strong subjects for photos. The most interesting part of this process was seeing the final results and realizing that the photos we took captured moments that will never happen again. Looking ahead, I’m excited to learn about podcasting. I think it could be a fun and valuable experience.
Joselyn Galeas, Theodore Roosevelt High School, Podcast Cohort
This semester, I learned how to interview others and gained valuable experience engaging with people on the street during our “man on the street” interviews. While working on the election podcast, I had the opportunity to explore a variety of political opinions and beliefs, helping me learn different perspectives while maintaining neutrality during interviews. One of my plans for next semester is to complete a podcast episode that I pitched.
Genesis Peña, Math, Science, And Technology Magnet Academy at Roosevelt High School, Photography Cohort
This semester at Boyle Heights Beat, I gained more confidence during interviews and strengthened my communication skills. I also improved my ability to capture photos without manipulating them, following journalistic ethics in documenting real moments. The most rewarding part was feeling proud of my work and recognizing how much I’ve grown as a storyteller and photographer. I’m excited to learn more about the experiences of the other cohorts and continue exploring new opportunities in the journalism field.
Jaret Chavez, Math, Science, And Technology Magnet Academy at Roosevelt High School, Podcast Cohort
This semester, I learned how to be more social and connect with others. I worked on podcasting and creating my audio feature. The most interesting part was hearing the different personalities and perspectives on a single topic. I’m excited to continue working on my audio feature about the skating culture in Boyle Heights.
Victor Saucedo, Felicitas and Gonzalo Mendez High School, Print Cohort
During this semester as a youth reporter, I learned that reporting involves many more steps than I initially realized, and that there are numerous ethical considerations to keep in mind. I completed a profile highlighting a Spanish teacher at my high school and am now working on a story documenting the experiences and contributions of street vendors along the Cesar Chavez Avenue corridor. The most interesting part was discovering that everyone has a unique story they’re often eager to share. Now that I have more time, I’m excited to continue working on my street vendor story and explore it more deeply.
Sofia Peña, Theodore Roosevelt High School, Photography Cohort
Through my reporting work, I’ve learned that Boyle Heights is a community rich in diversity, with so many stories to tell. I worked on a photo essay and discovered how powerful photography can be in conveying a message. Through this experience, I realized that a single image can speak volumes and capture the essence of a story. Moving forward, I’m excited to continue learning more about photography and further develop my skills in this medium.
Anakin Rivera, Math, Science, And Technology Magnet Academy at Roosevelt High School, Print Cohort
I learned this semester the importance of time management, and I realized I need to improve in this area. I had the opportunity to cover the November elections, writing a story on voter misinformation. I also discovered how easily I can experience burnout and learned the importance of reaching out to others for support. For next semester, I hope to revisit some of my past stories, including the graffiti streetscape in my community and cleanup efforts.
Joan Cordova, Math, Science, And Technology Magnet Academy at Roosevelt High School, Photography Cohort
At BHB I’ve learned how to interview people and operate a camera, which has given me a deeper appreciation for the hard work and experience required in both journalism and photography. This semester I worked on a photo essay and learned how to conduct interviews, which showed me that people often have much bigger stories behind them than what’s immediately visible. Looking ahead, I’m excited to uncover more stories and learn about podcasting. I also hope to improve my speaking skills and continue growing as a storyteller.
Hannah Anaya, Theodore Roosevelt High School, Print Cohort
I learned that BHB is truly a community, and I felt really comfortable with my peers. Everyone was welcoming and always made it clear that the door is always open. This semester, I had the opportunity to work on an article highlighting a queer math teacher at my school, Ms. Ramirez. Through this experience, I learned a lot about her background and the challenges she has faced. The most interesting part was seeing her in a whole new light—not just as a teacher, but as someone with a powerful story to tell. Moving forward, I’m also interested in exploring stories about small businesses in the community.
Susan Sanchez, Oscar De La Hoya Ánimo Charter High School, Photography Cohort
Over the course of the semester, I learned that BHB is a very welcoming place that fosters a comfortable environment, helping to build a tight-knit community. This semester, I focused on learning how to use a Canon camera, which gave me valuable experience in a variety of situations and expanded my knowledge of photography. The most interesting part of the semester for me was having the opportunity to photograph the Boyle Heights Christmas Parade. Looking ahead, I’m most excited to participate in the podcast portion of our multimedia cohort next year, as I remember how much fun it was for me in middle school.
Destiny Ramirez, Felicitas and Gonzalo Mendez High School, Print Cohort
Reflecting on my time at BHB, I learned how to pay closer attention to the small details that make stories come to life, as I experienced while working on my story about the Fernandomania Forever mural by Robert Vargas. This semester, I had the opportunity to work on a variety of stories, including election coverage, the Vargas mural, and a bookstore guide. Each project allowed me to develop different skills and deepen my understanding of storytelling. Looking ahead, based on what I’ve learned here, I’m excited to join a journalism club in college and continue growing as a reporter.
Violet Montzzerrat Rodriguez-Aceves, Anahuacalmecac International Baccalaureate World School, Print Cohort
Through my reporting at BHB, I learned how to engage more effectively with my community. I discovered that the people of Boyle Heights always have a story to tell, whether about themselves or their families. I also gained experience conducting both on-the-street and more professional interviews. The most interesting part of this experience was seeing how everyone works together and how deeply they care about their community. Moving forward, I’m excited to learn more about Boyle Heights and its people, and to see what stories emerge that I can help share.
Adriana Valencia, Theodore Roosevelt High School, Print Cohort
Over the course of the semester, I learned the key fundamentals of journalism and what it takes to create an engaging story. I worked on a story about the RHS band director and learned that getting responses from sources isn’t always easy, but perseverance is key. It was really interesting to get to know the band director, especially as someone who doesn’t know much about music. I’m excited to continue improving my writing and become more comfortable and confident with interviewing.
Natalie Juarez, Felicitas and Gonzalo Mendez High School, Print Cohort
During my time at BHB, I discovered the many hidden gems of Boyle Heights. This community is truly built on the hard work of countless immigrants, which has made me more aware of the sacrifices people have made to create a better future for themselves and their families. I worked on a profile story about my high school art teacher, and learning the backstory behind his passions and aspirations gave me a deeper understanding of what dedicated educators go through. Moving forward, I’m excited to write about the impact sports have on academic success.
