Coachella Unincorporated reporters pose for a photo at the Cesar E. Chavez National Monument in Keene, Calif. Photo: BRENDA RINCON/Coachella Unincorporated
Our Peaks
Ivan Delgado
Beat Reporter
“This year has gone all too well to have one specific high moment of the year. However, the privilege of being Editor-in-Chief of The Chaparral, the College of the Desert student newspaper, stands out as one of my more rewarding memories, only because I had worked tirelessly and put so much time and effort into every issue. Especially when I found out the college paper received a first place award under my editorship months after moving on and pursuing other endeavors.”
Johnny Flores
Student Reporter
“Out of the many events and people I met this school year, I would have to say my most memorable experience this year is going to Keene for the designation of the Cesar E. Chavez National Monument by President Barack Obama.”
Karla Martinez
Student Reporter
“I had just started high school and my goal was to reach a 4.0 G.P.A at the end of my first semester. My dad said that prestigious universities would not look at a 3.0 or lower. I busted my butt off studying for tests and made sure I didn’t miss any assignments. When the first report card came out in December, I saw my grades and broke down into tears. I reached my 4.0.”
Brenda Rincon
Editor
“It’s so hard to choose just one! The 2012 election season was exhilarating; we had a blast covering it as a team. Covering President Obama’s dedication of the Chavez National Monument in Keene was a once-in-a-lifetime experience. Seeing my student reporters recognized at the New America Media Southern California Ethnic Media Awards in March was also incredible. I have long been aware of the awesome work by Ivan Delgado, Jesus Valenzuela, and the rest of the Coachella Unincorporated team – but it was great to have other media professionals see it, as well. Last but not least — our first publication, the culmination of the hard work of so many people, allowed us to share our work with more people than ever.”
Aurora Saldivar
Student Reporter
“Graciously life responds with an abundance of opportunities if you are willing to seize them, and I would count this year as brimming (with opportunities). It would be criminal to choose one over the other because they worked to develop within me a passion for civic engagement not to be found inside a classroom. But to be fun, I chose to spend my birthday spent driving up to see President Obama speak at the dedication of the Chavez National Monument with Brenda Rincon and Coachella Unincorporated.”
Our Pits
Ivan Delgado
Beat Reporter
“Although this past year has been rewarding on so many levels, the only bottom of the pit moments I had, were before those rewarding moments. The time I spent working in the library, on my computer, working, working, and more working. Although it was tough, I’m just proud I have been able to get through it.”
Johnny Flores
Student Reporter
“While not necessarily a low point, not going to the Tech Fest was disappointing.”
Karla Martinez
Student Reporter
“I wasn’t much of the socializing type and not a lot of guys even tried to ask me out or talk to me. There was this senior who gave me his number so we could text, but later on it turned out he had a girlfriend and I had to find out by my aunt who is in the same grade as him. I confronted him and made him feel like a complete fool.”
Brenda Rincon
Editor
“As a technically challenged person, the most difficult moments of the past school year were the ones spent trying to learn the layout programs for our first publication. But the end result made the efforts worthwhile!”
Aurora Saldivar
Student Reporter
“The school year started on a low as I stressed my capabilities to pay my class tuition fees and text books and had to settle for a light course load, while managing to move out on my own.”
