Opinion
In the midst of working on objective news pieces, I have enjoyed highlighting my personal voice through opinion articles and blogs. I have especially focused the topics for my opinion articles around the issues I see my Mexican-American and Latinx community face. I am able to utilize my voice on staff to highlight the injustices I see my community constantly face. Below are some of my favorite pieces.
"Entrenched racism: It's time for the Latinx community to confront discrimination within its own boundaries."
Over the summer, I became a writer/editor for a student-run Latinx publication called Nuestras Historias. During this time, Black Lives Matter Protests were taking over our streets and I found myself disappointed with the judgmental reactions I saw many in my Latinx community have toward the protests. This inspired me to write this op-ed about the importance of us as Latin-Americans to confront the racism that exists within our own communities.
Photo provided by Nuestras Historias Magazine
"Migrants deserve aid while seeking asylum"
When many migrant caravans began attempting to cross over to the United States from various Latin-American countries in late 2018, I knew that I had to write an opinion article on it. Coming from immigrant parents myself, I was absolutely furious at the way these migrants were being treated by ICE and the Trump administration. This was particularly difficult to write because there was new information circulating daily but I felt that I ultimately did justice to the issue.
Immigrants are being tear-gassed at the border. Families are being harassed and separated as they attempt to cross the border to seek asylum in America.
Photo provided by takomabibelot
"We can’t forget the suffering caused by Trump’s family separation policy"
I wrote this article in September of 2018, roughly five months after former President Donald Trump's "zero tolerance" policy was enacted, which separated migrant parents from their children, who came to seek asylum. Witnessing this as a child of immigrants was absolutely heartbreaking. I grew up with the fear of being ripped away from my parents and felt a responsibility to use my voice to stand up against this inhumane treatment. Although I wrote this over two years ago, my message is still incredibly important today.
A protestor at the Woman Disobey protest in Washington D.C in June holds up signs condemning family separation at the border
Photo by Sahamirk
Besides opinion pieces, I have also been able to document some of my experiences by writing blogs for The Pearl Post. The focus of my blogs ranges from summer programs I've participated in to journalistic opportunities I took advantage of. Below are some of my favorite blogs I've written.
Blogs
"Managing editor attends summer workshops at USC, GRAMMY Camp"
I attended the Annenberg Youth Academy during the summer after my sophomore year. During this intensive program, I attended classes with USC professors and learned immensely about journalism. I was able to use this knowledge while writing articles during the program. I shared my experience with students through this blog.
On March 24, thousands of people gathered across the country to march for stricter gun control amidst the recent fatal mass shootings.
On March 24, thousands of people gathered across the country to march for stricter gun control amidst the recent fatal mass shootings.
The Annenberg Youth Academy cohort of 2019 participates in a professional photoshoot session with USC assistant professor of professional practice Miki Turner on June 28, 2019.
Photo by Miki Turner
On March 24, thousands of people gathered across the country to march for stricter gun control amidst the recent fatal mass shootings.
On March 24, thousands of people gathered across the country to march for stricter gun control amidst the recent fatal mass shootings.
Managing Editor Itzel Luna (far right) takes a picture with her nation, The Olmecs, during the Chicano Youth Leadership Conference on Oct. 27.
Photo by Briana Martinez
"My experience feeling in touch with my culture at the CYLC"
During my junior year, I attended the Chicano Youth Leadership Conference. This was a life-changing experience for me. I was able to truly connect with my Chicana identity and learned a lot about the history of the Mexican-American community, much of which I had never learned in history class. I decided to write a blog about my experience to try and educate other students and encourage them to participate as well.
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This article was featured on LA Times High School Insider.
On March 24, thousands of people gathered across the country to march for stricter gun control amidst the recent fatal mass shootings.
On March 24, thousands of people gathered across the country to march for stricter gun control amidst the recent fatal mass shootings.
News magazine editor-in-chief Itzel Luna spent 7 weeks at the Princeton Summer Journalism Program.
Photo by PSJP
"News magazine editor-in-chief attends prestigious Princeton Summer Journalism Program"
I was able to virtually attend the Princeton Summer Journalism Program this past summer. During this 7-week program, I heard from amazing guest speakers like journalist Jorge Ramos and CNN anchor Don Lemon. I also wrote articles that were edited by professional journalists and had them published. To read more about this amazing experience, click below!
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This article was featured on LA Times High School Insider.
On March 24, thousands of people gathered across the country to march for stricter gun control amidst the recent fatal mass shootings.
On March 24, thousands of people gathered across the country to march for stricter gun control amidst the recent fatal mass shootings.
Managing editor Itzel Luna and the PBS Student Reporting labs behind the scenes team met former democratic presidential candidate Andrew Yang at Loyola Marymount University on Dec. 19, 2019.
Photo by Marie Cusick
"Managing editor reports on LMU democratic debate"
The December Democratic Debate in 2019 was held at Loyola Marymount University. As an affiliate school to PBS Student Reporting Labs, the publication staff at my school was invited to a watch party at LMU on the day of the debate. Additionally, I was chosen as a PBS correspondent and was able to report on the debate with three other high school students. For our content, we decided to focus on the importance of youth vote in politics. We were able to report straight from the media center during the debate, interview prominent political figures like the DNC Chair Tom Perez. I wrote a blog for my school's publication about my experience.
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To view the content created from the debate, click here.