By Stephanie Nguyen
Born and raised in Virginia for fourteen years, freshman Alexander Ciarfalia is a newcomer ready to make his mark on Baron Banner, having moved to California just this year. Initially joining to focus on photography, he was drawn into the art of writing instead. He occasionally wrote short stories in his spare time, so he hoped he could contribute to the newspaper with his writing skills.
“I’ve always liked writing, like, [it was] a really big hobby of mine sometimes,” Ciarfalia said. “I thought I was decent enough so I joined the newspaper.”
Besides being a writer, he also loves to play basketball, having played with the recreational team during his last summer in Virginia. He’s also thinking about learning how to surf.
“I’m not too good at it,” Ciarfalia said, “but I want to try it and practice a little more.”
And he’s a Norse mythology fan too. He actually owns a copy of Tales of Norse Mythology by Helen A. Guerber, first published in 1909. When asked what he would save in the event of a fire, he reaffirmed his love for it.
“The first thing I would bring (out of a fire) is the old book,” Ciarfalia said. “It’s pretty expensive and it’s rare too.”
At the moment his involvement is limited to Baron Banner, but he’s keeping his options open this year. He plans on joining a few clubs to increase his involvement at Fountain Valley High School.
“I’d be down to join a club this year. I just would like to know what it is [first], but if I found something I liked, I would join,” Ciarfalia said.