By Karen Phan, Opinion Editor
When Camelia Heins entered Fountain Valley High School as a freshman, she had no idea there was a student publication. Now a junior, Camelia is a first-year member of Baron Banner.
Camelia first heard of Baron Banner in her freshman English class after the publication released its first paper of the year. She avidly followed Baron Banner’s work on social media and the baronnews.com website. Camelia wanted to apply for Baron Banner but backed out several times.
“I’ve always been interested in journalism and writing, but I was a freshman so I was scared to apply,” Camelia said.
After encouragement from her friends and talking to some members from Baron Banner, Camelia decided to apply her sophomore year. When Baron Banner visited her English class to announce who made it in, Camelia anticipated the worst, but instead got the best news.
“I didn’t even think I would get in. I thought maybe someone else in my class got in or something, and then [the Baron Banner members] said my name and I was so happy,” Camelia said. “I didn’t believe it at first. I was so proud of myself and shocked that I had made it.”
Camelia’s primary motivation for joining Baron Banner is to learn more about journalism because she’s interested in pursuing it as a career. She also wants to be part of the Baron community and improve her writing and photography skills.
Camelia also hopes Baron Banner will help her become more open and communicative because she’s a reserved person. This year, she’s still eager to make friends.
“I’m kind of shy and passive at first, but once you get to know me I’m kind of crazy,” Camelia said.
Outside of school, Camelia enjoys bullet journaling, calligraphy, painting, reading, and playing the ukelele. She also keeps up with politics, social activism, and feminism on social media. Her schedule is packed with hard classes this year, so she has less free time but still tries to have fun and relax.
Juggling a full schedule of hard classes, a zero period, and a social life is tough. When she’s overwhelmed, Camelia thinks back to what her parents taught her.
“My parents taught me to never give up and to keep going even if it’s hard, even if you’re struggling,” Camelia said. “If you’re struggling, work around it and try to understand what you’re doing wrong.
Camelia isn’t 100% sure about her future but has her sights set on majoring in chemistry, engineering or journalism. What’s for sure is that she wants to create change in Baron Banner and find out what she truly loves to do.