At the start of every fifth period class in D115, The Sidekick entertainment editor Isabella Callegaro Santos brings a light-hearted reminder to get us started with class by playfully saying, “Don’t be screen-agers!”
In our small class of just 14 students, Isabella radiates her contagious humor, never failing to make my day better.
I remember when I first saw Isabella at The Sidekick summer boot camp last summer. I was still newly accustomed to what Sidekick is and the idea of journalism. As all the leaders spoke about tips for coverage, taking photos or giving interviews, Isabella stood out to me as she talked with such confidence and encouragement. Her prominent leadership skills combined with her joyful personality always light up our newsroom.
When the school year began, it was intimidating to step into the newsroom. Navigating various types of equipment posed a challenge as I wanted to discover more about diversifying visual media. As one of two editors in our class, Isabella introduced me to the intricate cameras with a wide range of lenses and taught me to use specific tripods to make my first recipe video. Not only did she introduce me to the cabinet of equipment, but also how to shoot specific angles and tips on how to edit on Adobe Premiere Pro.
As the entertainment editor, Isabella always proposed many opportunities to take up, leading me to discover different aspects of the section. From covering the Coppell Madrigals’ Feast to taking photos of a color guard competition, entertainment quickly became my favorite section due to its diversity. Isabella’s passion for fine arts encouraged me to explore more assignments in her section.
Our newsroom requires trying new things even if it poses some difficulty. My first time page designing was demanding as a beginner. Yet, Isabella was open to my many questions and gave me meaningful direction to construct viable content. Whenever I asked for help, she would assist me to fix the issues I faced consistently. Rather than being completely lost in Adobe InDesign, Isabella guided me on the way to success.
Looking back, Isabella empowered me to the pursuit of improving myself in the newsroom everyday. When I stepped into unfamiliar challenges in D115, Isabella met me with her willingness to lend a helping hand, encouraging optimistic energy and a bright smile.
As I continue my years in the program, she will always be my role model to mentor others and shine positivity.
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