By Andrew Hsieh
Sean Ziebarth has no thumbs.
It’s a fact that freaks people out because they think he is “not yet fully evolved.” Yet, Ziebarth comes nothing short of an evolved human being. In fact, Ziebarth has a very rich background and continues to live a vibrant life as he explores old and new hobbies and interests.
Throughout his life, Ziebarth has always been interested in languages; English and Spanish classes were his favorite courses in high school. This eventually led to his career in teaching.
For the past 14 years, Ziebarth has been teaching Advanced Placement (AP) English Language and Composition classes at Fountain Valley High School (FVHS). Two years into his career, Ziebarth took over Baron Banner and Baron Broadcast News (BBN) from Dr. Mike Poff. Ziebarth compared the way he was chosen to advise Baron Banner and BBN to the way Baron Banner functions as a class.
“I was helping out a little with both classes, and I was chosen [by my predecessor], which is kind of how Baron Banner runs,” he said. “The editors make those editorial decisions and they have a huge say in who the next editors are because they’re working with the students.”
Moving forward, Ziebarth is excited to see the stories students are going to find, and the work they produce. Despite certain negative views and attacks toward journalists and their work, Ziebarth is impressed by the strong interest to be a part of the newspaper.
“Every year is different with Baron Banner, and that’s what I love about it. There seems to be just a healthy excitement for journalism and that’s what I look forward to,” Ziebarth said.
Ziebarth also has plenty of other interests and hobbies in his life. In his free time, Ziebarth also likes to be active. Whether it’s surfing the waves, zooming down slopes on a snowboard or skating at the park, Ziebarth loves board sports. More recently, Ziebarth has also started making crossword puzzles; he’s been trying to get them published in the New York Times and the Los Angeles Times.
Furthermore, a large part of Ziebarth’s past and present is music. Ziebarth enjoys many different types of music and says music can be different for everyone.
“Music is so taste driven. So what I think is catchy, some people may totally hate. Or what somebody else thinks is catchy, it may not click with me,” he said. “I like loud, hard and fast music, I like music that you could dance to and I love songs that you could sing along to and that are very catchy and fun. So a little bit of everything.”
His love for music translates to his career choices as well. Ziebarth has accumulated many jobs in the music industry ranging from working at CD stores to various radio stations all the way in Salt Lake City to the one at the University of California Irvine; he even opened and managed a store called the Sonic Garden CD exchange.
No matter what song he is listening to, what crossword puzzle he is making or what new Baron Banner endeavor he is embarking on, Ziebarth will always be open to a conversation about anything.
And if he could give one advice to journalism students—or anyone, really—he would tell you this:
“Don’t take no for an answer, respectfully,” Ziebarth said. “There’s a lot of times people will tell you ‘no’ just because they don’t want to deal with you in the moment, but you should never take that as rejection. Laugh rejection in the face and just try again and keep going for it.”