“Serious journalism need not be solemn”

-Russell Baker

Resume

Dianne Caravela 3418 Silver Lane St. Anthony MN 55421 18dianneec@studensts.spa.edu Education: 2015-16 Minnesota Highschool Press Association Convention 2015-16- Journalism 2015- Writing for Publication II 2014- Writing for Publication I 2014-15- Minnesota High School Press Association Convention Experience: 2015-2016 Feature Editor, The Rubicon Responsibilities Include: Brainstorms story ideas for feature stories - stories that are similar to news stories but with more of a focus on individuals and their crafts Works with the writers for their section to make edits, come up with creative angles and figure out how to present the story (print, online, alt-copy...etc) Works to design the feature section in the print edition of the paper. This includes basic page design, photography, and infographics or other design elements to enhance the stories. 2014-Staff Writer, The Rubicon Responsibilities include: Brainstorming stories monthly with a collaborative team Pitching story ideas to editors Working with multiple editors and incorporating feedback Planning and conducting interviews Editing and revising using a multiple-draft process Providing edits and feedback on stories Proofreading and copyediting Taking photographs The Rubicon and RubicOnline Awards (2015):

JEM All State Gold – Print and Online

MHSPA Best of Show – Print and Online

NSPA All American (Print) First Class w/Distinction (Online)

NSPA Print Pacemaker Finalist

NSPA Online Pacemaker Winner

CSPA Crown Award Finalist

Individual Awards:

2015- Story selected for Best Of SNO

Semester Two Reflection

This semester was my second serving as a feature editor, and I feel that I began to fall

into the rhythm of the print and beat cycle more and more. Brainstorming, writing my own

stories, beats, making edits, and designing pages all at once became far less overwhelming,

although I by no means stopped struggling all at once with balancing these things once second

semester started. I did not realize it was happening, but looking back, I can do so much more so

much faster than I could in September, which I think is really cool.

Although I really like the Google Drive process, which has helped me keep all my drafts

and edits in one place, I think that the new beat submission method was a great way to make

writers themselves accountable for their beats, and the beat completion sheet allowed me to

catch things I had forgotten to do multiple times. The signup sheet also prevented me from

signing up for the same story as someone else, something I think I would have done without it.

To be honest, I was not always completely satisfied with my work this semester. There

were times where I felt I could have made a story truly notable, but didn’t. There were times

where I could have made my page design something special, but chose the easier, safer path.

Mostly, this was due to time constraints. Even though I got faster at doing these things, my

other commitments both inside and out of school got harder to keep up with, and I often had to

give myself an allotted amount of time for Rubicon and decide that what I got done in that time

had to be good enough. Still, I am proud that I got everything done well enough, instead of

devoting all my time to one thing and letting everything else suffer at its expense. I turned in all

of my beats, and caught up on them when I got behind.

This concept of “good enough” was probably the most important concept I learned in

second semester. There has space between needing everything to be perfect and giving up and

not caring at all, and I think I found it. I also got a lot more comfortable asking for help.

Sometimes it is worth it to take the time to figure something out yourself, but when it’s the day

before drop and you just can’t figure out how to make your image fit on the page, sometimes

asking for another pair of eyes is the right choice.

Out of everything I did in Rubicon this year, the thing I enjoyed most were the other

people. There is always such an enjoyable, fun atmosphere in the room, and someone is always

willing to help or give advice when you ask. No matter how great a newspaper’s organization,

ideas, or tools are, the newspaper isn’t going to be great unless the staff is, and I’m really lucky

to have gotten to work alongside such great journalists all year. Although I’m excited to try new

things, I’m really going to miss Rubicon.

Writing

Print/Online October Issue 2014 Feature

Writing

Print/Online November Issue 2014 Arts and Entertainment

Print/Online December Issue 2014 Arts and Entertainment

Writing

Print/Online March Issue 2015 Arts and Entertainment

Writing

Print April Issue 2015 Sports

Writing

From April 29 to May 9, a diverse cast of Circus Juventas performers, including numerous St. Paul Academy and Summit

school students performed amazing stunts such as swinging from trapezes, flipping from vaults, and dangling from ropes

in the theater’s spring show. Students begin preparing the acts in the winter in various classes, months before the show.

“The preparation can get annoying, because we work on the routines for months before the shows,” said junior Michelle

Heilig. “Having said that, I hadn’t done my entire triple routine until the week before shows, so I suppose it’s necessary.”

Freshman Sam Stiffman and Heilig performed in the purple shows, freshman Naya Tadavarthy performed in the blue

shows, and freshman Marlo Graham performed in all three: purple, blue, and yellow. The shows are sorted with one level

of an act in each color show. “They used to do it by ability, with the best acts in Purple, but it’s grown so much that they

can’t do that anymore,” said Heilig.

Despite the four students joining Circus Juventas at different ages, all have found their place in the program. Tadavarthy

specializes in the triple trapeze, Stiffman does acrobatics, Heilig will perform static trapeze, a mostly unmoving aerial

apparatus with multiple people on it, triple trapeze, silks, and hoops, and Graham will perform acts including triple

trapeze, hoops, bungee trapeze, and dance.

Tadavarthy loves watching acts other than her own throughout the preparation process. “[The acts] are all so different, I’m

still surprised at what they do after watching so many times,” Tadavarthy said.

Heilig’s favorite part of performing is seeing how the spectators react to the show. “My favorite part about the shows is

watching the audience be amazed by what I’m doing. Usually performing terrifies me, but having a loud audience helps a

lot,” Heilig said.

Online May 15, 2015 Arts and Entertainment

Writing

The most advanced performers, including Graham, will perform in a summer show from late July to mid-August. Tickets

go on sale June 29, and can be purchased on the Circus Juventas website

Print May Issue 2015 Arts and Entertainment

Online September 10, 2015 Arts and Entertainment

Writing

The Minnesota State Fair is often named “The Great Minnesota Get-Together” and attendance is almost expected of many

Minnesotans. It is often hard to go a day at the fair without running into a familiar face. This past year, the attendance for

the twelve day fair totaled 1,779,738, and many St. Paul Academy and Summit School students were among the massive

crowds. One of the biggest attractions at the fair is the food. Some SPA students, such as sophomore J.J. Wertkin stick to

classic fair food.

“My favorite food there is either the corn dogs or mini donuts,” Wertkin said. Sophomore Ezra Cohen tried many staples

of the State Fair, sampling friend pickles, cheese curds, and french fries.

“My favorite was the deep fried Three Musketeers bar,” Cohen said. Sophomore Dina Moradian also tried lots of foods,

her favorite being a pickle on a stick.

“I always get the same foods because those are the foods I look forward to getting,” Moradian said. But it’s not all about

the food. For sophomore Val Hart, the animals are what draw her to the fair.

“My favorite part of the fair is the cows by far. I took so many pictures with them,” Hart said. Although Hart’s first time at

the State Fair was just last year, but she has gone back four times since. She also enjoys running into people she hasn’t

seen in years at the fair. Since going to the fair every year is a tradition for many students, some have memorable stories

from past years:

“Once we went in the haunted house and my sister looked so scared the monsters started telling her “it’s OK,” Senior

Navodhya Samarakoon said.

Print/Online September Issue 2015 Sports

Writing

As leaves change and temperatures drop, students pack away their sandals, shorts, and t-shirts for warm boots, jeans, and

sweaters. For many, the fashion shift that takes place in the winter months is something to look forward to. For sophomore

Lillian Pettigrew, the weather can’t turn cold fast enough.

“I hate summer. It’s too hot and you have to wear really light and annoying clothes,” Pettigrew said.

“I like when it gets colder because you get to wear sweaters and tights that you don’t get to wear in the summer”

Sophomore Freddy Keillor agrees that fall is a truly great season. “Fall is one of my favorite times of the year because it’s

not too hot, it’s not too cold, the leaves are pretty, and the skies are clear” Keillor said.

Online October 25, 2015 Feature

Featured on Best of SNO

Writing

“I get to enjoy nature and wear nice clothes.” In addition to clothes, fall shoes can be a stylish fashion statement. “I have

some brown combat boots that I feel are very autumnal which I’m excited to wear,” Pettigrew said.

Still, snow can put a damper on some styles. “It’s a bummer that when it snows you can’t wear sandals anymore,” junior

A.M. Roberts said.

Freshman Emily Schlinger has seen fall trends setting in around school. “I’ve noticed a lot of people wearing combat

boots, tall boots, and scarfs, which I really like,” Schlinger said.

“I’m really looking forward to wearing sweaters, scarfs, yoga pants, and high boots.” Junior Henry Ziemer finally decided

it was time to pull out the sweaters earlier this week, one of his favorite parts about fall besides pumpkin spice flavored

drinks. “I think anything below 60 is sweater weather,” Ziemer said. “I check the weather every morning to see.

When the Varsity Soccer teams found out the Homecoming game would be a soccer game this year, they decided it would

be a great opportunity to get involved in charity. Joined up with Community Action and Service, the teams began a shoe

drive Souls4Soles, a nonprofit which combats poverty by collecting and distributing shoes and clothing, as a shoe drive

seemed like the perfect fit for a soccer team and many closets are full of shoes that are never worn. They also contacted the

Online October 2, 2015 Feature

Writing

Sanneh Foundation, established by Saint Paul Academy and Summit School alum Tony Sanneh (’90), who will receive

the donations of athletic shoes from students. “It is awesome to be able to support a former SPA student and soccer player

who is out there changing the world for the better,” Girls Varsity Soccer Co-Captain Taylor Rients said. Rients said the

team saw the drive as a great way do some good. “We thought most people have a pair of shoes they are not using

anymore, and we could get support from the SPA students and community to help us make a difference for others.” The

drive has been as successful as the teams hoped, culminating in over 10 bags full of shoes to be donated. “We don’t

always think about how an old pair of shoes at the bottom of our closet could mean a great deal to someone who doesn’t

have a pair of shoes,” Rients said, “and it feels good knowing that by donating a pair of shoes you are doing something

good.”

Print October Issue 2015 Sports

Writing

Print November Issue 2015 Sports

Print December Issue 2015 Sports

Writing

Print Jan/Feb Issue 2016 News

Writing

Print/Online Jan/Feb Issue 2016 News

Online Jan. 6 Feature

Writing

From sneakers to high heels, boots to flipflops, the average American owns 19 pairs of shoes, according to Time Magazine. For some, shoes are a part of their outfit that is given little thought. For others, shoes can be a fashion statement. Sophomore Naya Tadavarthy takes shoes seriously. “Your shoes are an essential part of your outfit,” Tadavarthy said. Freshman Adelia Bergner agrees: “I like shoes that help me express myself,” Bergner said. “Shoes are a great way to do that because they can pull an outfit together.” Other students are less inclined to give footwear a starring role in their ensemble. “Usually I look for shoes that are comfortable and that I can wear with a lot of different things, so I don’t have to change my outfit based on my shoes,” senior Nina Zietlow said. Tadavarthy said she has been known to go for fashion over comfort at times when picking out footwear. “I match my shoes to my outfit by style and color. The colors can’t clash, and if you’re wearing a skirt, you’re not going to want to wear snow boots,” she said. Many students feel loyalty towards certain brands of shoes. Zietlow favors Doc Martens and Converse because of their comfort and ability to go with anything. “Those two are go to’s for me,” she said. Bergner and sophomore Sylvie Schifsky like Converse as well. “I also like combat boots and Hunters a lot,” Schifsky said. Sophomore Emma Hills has assembled an impressive collection of her favorite brand of shoes, Toms. Her collection began one day in Nordstom, and she now owns eight pairs. “I wear them so often because they’re so comfortable,” Hills said. Sophomore Eli Striker likes the design of Nikes, but not the price. “I try to buy them at closeout sales because they’re so expensive,” Striker said. Freshman Koji Gutzmann chooses his shoes based on how cool the individual style is as opposed to the brand. “My shoes are reflective; they change colors,” he said. Whether shoes are the last thing on someone’s mind when they get dressed in the morning or the first, everyone wears them, and therefore, what we choose to wear says something about us whether we are conscious of it or not.

Print/Online March Issue 2016 A&E

Writing

Print/Online March Issue 2016 News

Writing

Batman V Superman: Dawn of Justice picks up a few years after where the last Superman movie left off, after the cataclysmic fight between Superman and General Zod. Fearing Superman’s power to destroy as well as save, as well as his potential to attract more alien threats than he repels to the cities of Gotham and Metropolis, many, including Bruce Wayne, the vigilante crime-fighter Batman, feel Superman is too dangerous and needs to be stopped. Meanwhile, Clark Kent disagrees with Batman’s disregard for the law, and plans to stop him. Over the next two and a half hours, the two superheros prepare to face each other, while scientist Lex Luther predictably hatches an evil plan to dispose of Superman. These two and a half hours are filed with dark and gritty scenes, but are noticeably lacking in interesting character interactions and the plot’s main purpose seems to be to set up DC’s plans for Justice League movies. Unfortunately, Wonder Woman’s appearances are disappointingly short, although there is some promise of greater things to come for her in future endeavors. The story is slow-moving and convoluted all at once, and the characters fail to flesh themselves out, resulting in a movie that feels more like a chore to watch than anything else. Devoted fans might get some enjoyment out of the Dawn of Justice, but for anyone not ready to sit down to two and a half hours of boredom and unfulfilled potential should stay far away.

Online April 11, 2016 Reviews

Writing

Print/Online May Issue 2016 Feature

Writing

On May 12, the Obama Administration released a directive which detailed the federal government’s interpretation of Title IX in regards to transgender students. The directive states that publicly funded schools must provide a “safe and nondiscriminatory environment” for such students by using their preferred pronouns, allowing them to use the bathrooms and locker rooms that conform to their gender identity, as well as other sex-segregated school activities such as housing and certain classes. In addition, transgender students should not be required to provide proof of their gender through medical diagnosis or proof of treatment. Although the directive is not technically legally binding, schools that do not comply could potentially lose the federal funding that they receive.

The directive itself is a leap in the right direction for making schools a safer environment for trans students. The directive is especially important following the passing of the North Carolina “Bathroom Law,” which prohibits anyone from using a bathroom that is not consistent with the sex that they were assigned at birth, a bill that has been proposed in several other states including Arizona, Texas, Florida, and Kentucky. What has been disheartening is the reaction by many states to the directive, which has been uncannily similar to Southern resistance to the end of segregated schools during the 1960s. The most absurd, but also widespread opposition to the directive comes from a sense of fear of anyone who is transgender. First, transgender people are not a threat. In a recent study conducted by the UCLA School of Law, over 70 percent of transgender individuals reported receiving harassment for using the bathroom of their assigned sex, while a shocking 10% had experienced physical assault. Another study done by the National Coalition of Anti Violence Programs (NCAVP) found that 72% of hate violence homicides in 2013 were of trans women. It is obviously not cisgender people have cause for fear.

Another reason that the states favoring “Bathroom Laws” give for refusing to follow the directive is over the fear that predators will somehow use it in order to prey on children. The reality is, that child predators are not shady men in overcoats who abduct children. According to the US Department of Justice, only ten percent of sexually abused children are abused by strangers. The rest are family, friends, and other acquaintances. There is no doubt that child abuse is a horrific and very real problem, but forcing transgender people to use bathrooms and locker rooms that do conflict with their gender identity does nothing to solve the problem. Instead, it removers attention from where child abuse is really occurring.

Finally, none of the eighteen states that have already adopted laws nondiscrimination laws have reported rises in the rates of sexual violence, according to a coalition of hundreds of organizations who work with survivors of sexual violence. Therefore, there is absolutely no evidence that allowing transgender people to use the bathroom of their choice will have anything but a positive effect. The arguments against the directive and for “Bathroom Laws” such as the one passed in North Carolina are nothing more than an attempt to hide the rampant transphobia. The White House Directive is no more of an overreach than Eisenhower’s forced desegregation of Little Rock schools. It is the duty of all schools to make their students feel comfortable and safe, and that is exactly what enacting the measures set out in the directive will do.

Online June 1, 2016 Opinions

Page Design

Print September Issue 2015 Feature

Page Design

Print October Issue 2015 Feature

Page Design

Print November Issue 2015 Feature

Page Design

Print December Issue 2015 Feature

Page Design

Print Jan/Feb Issue 2016 Feature

Page Design

Print March Issue 2016 Feature

Page Design

From the story “Students share scary stories as fall tradition”

Print April Issue 2016 Feature

Photography

From “The Hobbit: Battle of Five Armies Fans await the highly anticipated sequel’s

release”

From “Students share scary stories as fall tradition”

Photography

From “Deciding between Punch and Pieology pizzas”

From “Students perform in Circus Juventas Spring Show”

Photography

From “Freshmen tech peers about gender terminology and identity”

From “Fall fashion flies into students’ wardrobes”

Photography

From “Color away stress with an adult coloring book”

From “Teachers carry the (paper)weight to help lift some from you”

Photography/Illustrations

From “White House Trans Directive shows promise, but state reactions do not”

From “White will miss tracking the learning journey of math students grades 9-12”

From “Corcoran departs math classroom with objective of earning his doctorate”