At the end of my freshman year, after taking photos for several events, I discovered a deep passion for photography. This newfound interest led me to apply for the role of Photo Editor in my sophomore year. I eagerly signed up for events around campus, from the Lower School’s Medieval Faire and pep rallies to the beloved Upper School tradition of the Variety Show. I found it incredibly rewarding to capture moments of students simply being themselves, and then reliving those moments through the photos. My very first shoot was at the Lower School pep rally, where the cheerleaders energetically welcomed the students to school. I took a really nice photo of my classmate cheering, but I had no idea how to transfer the photo or edit it. At the time, Imua didn’t have a photo editor, so the current Online Content Editor helped me edit and crop the photo, which was then posted on social media. Seeing the post for the first time, knowing that hundreds of people had seen the photo I took, was an exhilarating moment, and it cemented my love for photography.

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While I’ve always felt a stronger pull toward Print, I also wrote a few online stories that allowed me to explore different aspects of journalism. My first online piece was about whether video games are responsible for violence—an intriguing topic I was drawn to due to the gory nature of many popular games at the time. I also had the chance to write a feature on a new physics teacher, which was a particularly enjoyable experience. I got to learn about someone I didn’t know well, and it was fun to explore their background, especially as she hailed from the New England area, which allowed me to discuss how cultural differences affected her teaching style. One of my favorite articles, though, was my article on the 2022 ILH Cheer Competition, where all three ‘Iolani cheer teams placed first in their respective divisions. This article stood out because it wasn’t just about the facts and outcomes; I was able to capture the excitement of the moment by featuring quotes from the students and their coach about the team’s future direction.

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In our print issue, I advocate for promoting both our online and social media accounts to boost accessibility and engagement. By incorporating QR codes and highlighting select online articles within the Table of Contents, readers can easily access Imua’s website and Instagram, seamlessly connecting all platforms.

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