Chances are, when you go to any ZHS-sanctioned event, you are more than likely guaranteed to leave with a smile and watch a good performance. Whether it be a play put on by the drama department or a late-night Friday spent at the Bronco Corral or Havoc House, ZHS has tons of historic events. However, you are probably not going to see the people who are off to the side, covering the event for media purposes.
These are the people our school relies on to help cement all events into history, the individuals who can help others relive moments from weeks or months prior.
Let’s start by introducing our Zachary Student Media Hoof Print News Staff.
Cianne Wellington (11) is the Veteran. Wellington is in her third year working as a staff writer for the Hoofprint. Ever since joining the staff her first year, she has been working as a staff writer.
“This year, everyone is walking in, and we have more people to help each other and get footage of everything,” Wellington said.
Wellington aims to be a role model throughout the staff and inspire new Hoofprint members to express themselves openly. Reflecting on herself also, Wellington this year wants to step it up and become the role model that everybody on the staff can look up to and talk to about anything.
“I’m the person who has been here the longest,” Wellington said. “I really [got to] step it up, like, they’re [going to] depend on me to know how stuff is going to go…”
Ciannie encourages all new staff members to attend events as often as possible and to be open-minded. And not be timid. “You [have to have] the mentality of knowing what I’m here to do,” Wellington said.
The next member of the staff is entering her second year, both at ZHS and in her role as a staff member. Irie Brown (10) is absolutely excited to start her second year, having already made a name for herself as a “veteran” of the Hoofprint. Brown hasn’t forgotten what being on the staff has meant to her and how it has impacted her life.
“If I want to be a photographer, I can learn how to use a camera here,” Brown said. “If I want to be a journalist, I can learn how to write here.”
Brown has learned new ways to apply these life skills to her writing lifestyle. She has significantly improved her camera operation skills, and now she knows exactly what equipment and supplies she needs, as well as how to use them effectively.
Being on the Hoofprint staff has aided Brown in becoming a better all-around person, whether it improves her writing skills, teaches her responsibilities like adjusting to deadlines, or enhances her open communication skills. Brown recalls that all these areas have improved dramatically ever since she joined the crew.
The same goes for Kennedy Halley (9), who is entering her first year on the Hoofprint staff. Halley (9) predicts that her life in student media will help her life outside student media. Her participation in events, Halley says, will help her become a more sociable person. “Even in the classroom, my new classmates have made her feel warm and welcome.” Halley said, “They make me feel comfortable and safe, and I feel like I can get to know people more.”
Halley is excited for the road ahead, as she will be working for the Hoofprint and with her volleyball team. Halley is a part of both the school’s Volleyball team and a club team in Baton Rouge and is ready to take on any challenge that could come her way during her season.
The last freshman to join the team is Brady Ragusa (9), who is confident about the road ahead on his student media journey. Ragusa (9) fits into the staff like a glove on a hand and enjoys going to Mrs. McClinton’s sixth hour every day to spend time with his friends, who also write with him on the Hoofprint.
Even though Ragusa is confident about writing for the staff this year, he has some nerves from entering his first year of high school lingering over him. However, Ragusa has found out that his friends, both on and off the staff, have been super helpful in helping him adapt to the change to a new school.
Ragusa said, “I have good people around me, and I feel like they are a big help.”
Brady feels like writing on the Hoofprint will help him improve his vocabulary and can help him in his endeavors academically and long after he graduates.
The last member of the Hoofprint staff is Miles Partin (11). Partin joined the staff going into his sophomore year and has rejoined the staff for his junior year.
“Being on the staff has taught me a lot of valuable things throughout my life. I’ve learned good skills when it comes to responsibility, and I’ve made a lot of friends during my time here.” Partin said.
Partin enjoys going to sporting events and taking pictures and editing them and enjoys writing about opinionated articles as well. While being a staff writer for the Hoofprint, Mrs. McClinton and Mrs. Lee taught Partin valuable skills like writing and learning how to take pictures professionally at sporting events.
“My favorite thing about being on the staff has to be going out to take pictures,” Partin said. “Mrs. Lee helped me throughout my sophomore year with taking pictures, and I really enjoyed it.”
Throughout his time serving on the staff, Partin has found that he travels to taking pictures more often ever before, and his camera skills have improved dramatically with the help of his teachers.
