May 24, 2018
Dear Madam/Sir:
My name is Eliza Neeley and I am graduating from Sonoma Valley High School. This is my third year on the Dragon’s Tale staff, our high school newspaper. Advised by the head of the English department and AP English teacher, Mrs. Manchester, Newspaper class focuses on developing reporting, writing, and page designing skills. This year, I am a co-editor, focusing on editing features and design layouts. From the beginning of the year, I’ve learned how to make creative leads, grab the reader's attention, and revise articles. The writing, collaboration, and creativity skills acquired from Newspaper will translate into careers in the future.
Journalism is the responsibility to notify the public. It is the people’s right to know. In this time, information is circling quickly and globally. Journalism is way to weed through the abundance of information and distinguish between truth and fake news. It informs the public from a local to an international scale. Journalism battles corruption. A reporter’s duty is to tell the truth, in the most unbiased way possible. The Dragon’s Tale, although not globally important, is still crucial to morality of SVHS. It keeps students informed about public events, local news, and school updates. The class is independent from administration, which allows for more freedom and less corruption as well. We don’t allow the school administration to read or review articles before they are published, and we do not allow their influence to affect our reporting. The staff at Dragon’s Tale follows the same laws as legitimate newspapers. We are professional, truthful, and take pride in our work.
Most of my work for the Dragon’s Tale staff consists of creative works mostly. I focus on page designing, graphic making, and feature writing. I’ve learned how to use indesign and have improved greatly. I have also used photoshop to edit and cutout photos. I love writing passionately and adding an element of art to the paper. Already I have used the knowledge I gained from Newspaper class outside of the classroom. I utilized my design knowledge to create informational posters and pamphlets to inform undocumented immigrants of their rights and how to protect themselves from ICE, for my senior project. I wrote an article for the Valley of the Moon Magazine, on my own and my peers’ perspectives on the recent school shootings and gun control. I also used my improved writing to win scholarships for college.
Joining the Dragon’s Tale was one of the best decisions I’ve made in high school. Leaving this year, is difficult however I am excited for my next chapter. Next fall, I will be attending Tulane University to major in International Development. I plan to pursue journalism as a minor, and join the school newspaper in New Orleans. I can’t wait for next year and to further as a journalist, reporter, designer, writer, and teammate.
Sincerely,
Eliza Neeley
Dear Madam/Sir:
My name is Eliza Neeley and I am graduating from Sonoma Valley High School. This is my third year on the Dragon’s Tale staff, our high school newspaper. Advised by the head of the English department and AP English teacher, Mrs. Manchester, Newspaper class focuses on developing reporting, writing, and page designing skills. This year, I am a co-editor, focusing on editing features and design layouts. From the beginning of the year, I’ve learned how to make creative leads, grab the reader's attention, and revise articles. The writing, collaboration, and creativity skills acquired from Newspaper will translate into careers in the future.
Journalism is the responsibility to notify the public. It is the people’s right to know. In this time, information is circling quickly and globally. Journalism is way to weed through the abundance of information and distinguish between truth and fake news. It informs the public from a local to an international scale. Journalism battles corruption. A reporter’s duty is to tell the truth, in the most unbiased way possible. The Dragon’s Tale, although not globally important, is still crucial to morality of SVHS. It keeps students informed about public events, local news, and school updates. The class is independent from administration, which allows for more freedom and less corruption as well. We don’t allow the school administration to read or review articles before they are published, and we do not allow their influence to affect our reporting. The staff at Dragon’s Tale follows the same laws as legitimate newspapers. We are professional, truthful, and take pride in our work.
Most of my work for the Dragon’s Tale staff consists of creative works mostly. I focus on page designing, graphic making, and feature writing. I’ve learned how to use indesign and have improved greatly. I have also used photoshop to edit and cutout photos. I love writing passionately and adding an element of art to the paper. Already I have used the knowledge I gained from Newspaper class outside of the classroom. I utilized my design knowledge to create informational posters and pamphlets to inform undocumented immigrants of their rights and how to protect themselves from ICE, for my senior project. I wrote an article for the Valley of the Moon Magazine, on my own and my peers’ perspectives on the recent school shootings and gun control. I also used my improved writing to win scholarships for college.
Joining the Dragon’s Tale was one of the best decisions I’ve made in high school. Leaving this year, is difficult however I am excited for my next chapter. Next fall, I will be attending Tulane University to major in International Development. I plan to pursue journalism as a minor, and join the school newspaper in New Orleans. I can’t wait for next year and to further as a journalist, reporter, designer, writer, and teammate.
Sincerely,
Eliza Neeley