NATHAN JIANG
NATHAN JIANG
Palo Alto High School Student and Journalist for The Paly Voice
Minor Reflections
Major Reflection Fall 2024
This semester, in Incubator, I learned many valuable lessons about time management and working with other publications. Before this semester, I definitely underestimated the difficulty of being a leader in Incubator. In general, it was harder to get things done, as we had to compete with other Incubator publications for limited class time. Print publications often took the spotlight during their production as they had time-sensitive circumstances, so we were forced outside to do our story ideas.
But, when viewing this experience in a more positive light, we were able to have a lot more cross-publication work. Many of our members were able to work on new types of stories on other publications and also design spreads. I collaborated a lot with Divij this semester on both Voice and Veritas stories. We worked on more in-depth feature stories including student profiles and new technology stories. I enjoyed working on Veritas and designing the first spread that I have done in a long time.
Another personal success I had this year was hosting another NorCal Media Day presentation, this time more successful than the last. I remember last year Lucas and I hosted a webmaster roundtable, but it was not very popular. This time, we were able to help out a new publication with all of their SNO questions and gave them some inspiration about how to set up and design their website.
Given the difficulties with getting time alone with our staff, there are two big staff-wide accomplishments that I am proud of this semester.
The first was making the school board election package. This undertaking involved nearly the whole staff pairing up to cover each candidate in the election. We split up the tasks and set deadlines for everyone to follow, and it ended up panning out pretty well. We were able to get all of the candidate stories written, edited, and published, all to similar standards. There was difficulty in standardizing the photos and formatting within the stories, but we were able to sort that out. Although the editorial faced several issues, it was also published, and that is a feat for the publication to be proud of.
The second achievement that we were able to accomplish was doing the blanket coverage on the first home football game. Kristine and I came early to set up the booth, and we put out a big sign and gave out Voice stickers and lanyards. Although I pretty much missed the whole game getting pizza (and more) for the staff, we were able to support them in their coverage. Everybody was well fed and was able to get their stories out, with a number of stories and social media being released that covered different aspects of the game.
Through this semester, I feel that I have learned invaluable skills in leading and resolving conflicts within the staff. I have spent a larger and larger portion of my time on staff supporting others in their work rather than writing stories myself. In this way, I think I have become a servant leader, as Brendan Burchard would say.
Major Reflection Spring 2024
One of the biggest challenges I faced this semester in journalism was balancing my time and responsibilities as a journalist. My extracurriculars picked up in second semester as Science Olympiad hosted more tournaments and the tennis season started. These activities took up a large chunk of my time and, along with my rigorous school course load, put a lot of pressure on me. I had to make sure that I still had time to carry out my responsibilities, and I did. I made time to meet over spring break to set up a structure for the rest of the year.
As a new leader of the Voice, I think I have begun to live up to my role as a “servant leader” in Brendan Burchard’s “The Student Leadership Guide.” I have tried to frame my goal as supporting the staff in their work and providing all that is necessary to help them succeed. I have done a lot of non-bylined work in that regard. I have done the lion’s share of editing and publishing stories to make the story creation process as smooth as possible. For the Biden visit protests, although I was in the AP U.S. History exam, I edited the photo gallery captions and figured out how to incorporate the new timeline element into the website. In this way, I have been somewhat successful in being a leader who serves the Voice and the staff, and I hope to continue fostering the environment we have in Incubator next semester.
I have also learned how to be more sensitive towards certain issues and how to handle interpersonal relationships better as a leader. One time, I was looking over recently published articles on our website and found one that contained several mistakes, which I believed the editors should have seen and caught. I was dismayed by this issue and immediately sought to amend it by bringing the issue up loudly. This was an error in judgment, as it was within earshot of the authors and was too rash on my part. I learned that you have to be sensitive when dealing with these issues so as not to appear to be blaming others. I think I have gained a better awareness of my surroundings and how to act professionally in various scenarios.
Journalism has been a crucial part of my life so far, and the effects it has had on me are immeasurable. This year, my editing experience has helped me improve my grammar and writing techniques overall, and it definitely helped me this year in AP Language. Beyond this, journalism has shaped the way I view the world and how I interact with others. In the future, I hope to accomplish a few changes to the Voice. I want to make our website more fancy, with new widgets and more connections to other publications like we used to have, and I hope to work with Veronica on these changes. I also want to bring the staff closer together through more bonding activities like Pancake Day or movie nights. When we combine with Incubator, I hope I can continue my leadership and serve the staff well.
Major Reflection Fall 2023
This semester in journalism has been a period of real-world learning and personal development. While my first semester was marked by exciting new experiences, this semester was dedicated to expanding my knowledge of journalism and cultivating new journalistic skills.
This semester, we combined with Incubator, opening the door to new experiences. I wrote different kinds of stories than I usually would, like my story about Rocklin's LGBTQ+ policy. I talked to students from Whitney High School and learned about the social activism going on there. I also helped design some spreads, which evoked memories from beginning journalism again.
One of the new challenges I faced this semester was ad selling. Approaching local businesses to sell ads was initially daunting, especially because I'm ambiverted; I'm extroverted around my friends but introverted around strangers. I had to be professional and believe that, with perseverance and some persuasion, I could sell an ad. Even though the majority of businesses declined, I gradually built my confidence knowing that the ads were a good deal. I put myself behind the product and tried to convince them that it was worth the cost.
It was easier when I went with Evan the first time, but I did it alone the second time. One night, when my family and I went out to eat at a Chinese restaurant called Da Sichuan, I saw an opportunity to try to sell another ad. I proposed the idea of advertising in Via Verde, a publication in Incubator, because people interested in traveling often enjoy eating different kinds of food as well, and I struck a deal! Engaging with strangers and giving pitches pushed me out of my comfort zone and helped me hone my communication skills. This experience was invaluable in teaching me how to build professional relationships, which I'm sure will come in handy in the future.
In terms of work on The Paly Voice, my focus this semester shifted from writing stories to editing them. Because I started my position as a sports editor, I gave edits to my peers to refine and improve their stories. Editing allowed me to be more detail-oriented with AP Style corrections and grammar suggestions, which I enjoyed. Through this process, I was also able to see more of what other people were writing, which helped me feel closer with them.
Reflecting on how journalism has influenced my life, it's clear that it has been more than just a class. It has been a journey of personal growth, helping me to develop skills that extend far beyond the newsroom. From learning how to communicate professionally with a variety people to understanding how to work together as a team, journalism has equipped me with a toolkit for navigating the adult world.
As I look forward to next semester, I am excited to welcome the new staffers into our publication. I'm ready to impart upon them the skills and experiences that I've had during my time here, and I hope for more exciting stories and sports games ahead.
Major Reflection Spring 2023
Reflecting on my journey in journalism this semester, I can't help but appreciate the significant progression I have made since getting my first taste of journalism with Mr. Wilson. In the beginning, I honed my skills in various forms of storytelling, learning how to craft engaging narratives that captivate readers. Gradually, I picked up the fundamentals of journalism by studying instrumental court cases and familiarizing myself with our rights as journalists. This invaluable experience laid a strong foundation for my transition into a publication.
Joining The Paly Voice was a natural and exciting next step for me. What immediately drew me to this publication was its unwavering commitment to 24/7 fast reporting. I firmly believe that news should be delivered with timeliness and accuracy, and the opportunity to be part of a team delivering breaking news was exhilarating. Being at the forefront of unfolding events has been undeniably rewarding, instilling in me a deep sense of purpose and urgency. Journalists bear an inherent responsibility to provide the public with accurate and timely information, enabling them to navigate and understand an ever-changing world.
One of the prominent hurdles I encountered this semester was the challenge of publishing articles in a timely manner. There were instances when the editing process took longer than anticipated, resulting in unfinished stories. It was disheartening to invest time and effort into an article, only to have it go unpublished due to unforeseen delays. However, I have come to understand and appreciate the importance of the editing process in ensuring accuracy and maintaining the publication's high standards. Consequently, I have learned to enhance communication with my editors, emphasizing the significance of timely feedback to prevent the occurrence of incomplete stories.
Moreover, throughout this semester, I have developed a deeper appreciation for the professionalism demanded in journalism. As a representative of The Paly Voice and its dedicated staff, every article I write carries significant responsibility. The words I carefully choose, the information I present, and the tone I adopt all contribute to the reputation of the publication as a whole. This realization has underscored the importance of practicing comprehensive and ethical reporting, upholding the principles of fairness, accuracy, and accountability.
In conclusion, this semester has been a transformative period characterized by substantial growth, continuous learning, and a profound passion for journalism. From the solid foundation laid during my initial introduction to journalism to the dynamic and fast-paced environment of The Paly Voice, I have expanded my knowledge, sharpened my skills, and deepened my appreciation for the power of news. As I look towards the future, my aspiration is to assume a leadership role where I can utilize my experience to guide and support aspiring journalists. I hope to make a positive impact within the field, contributing to the growth and development of fellow journalists as we collectively strive to inform, inspire, and enlighten.