Graduates are listed alphabetically by last name. Information is accurate as of January 2008. If you are a graduate of the Stagg journalism program and you would like to add your testimonial, send it to dbott@stockton.k12.ca.us

 

I very much enjoyed all of the (publication) classes that I was fortunate enough to have taken. The experience that I gained … has benefited me tremendously through the years, especially in my current job as writing evaluations, responding to complex member correspondence and the analysis of new legislation is a daily event. Congratulations again on the success that you've had with the Stagg Line as it's well deserved, and thank you again!

JEFF BRATTON, Class of 1993
Analyst, California Public Employees Retirement System

 

At 18, I was fortunate enough to be hired part-time at a daily newspaper. I was young but not inexperienced. I quickly caught on to the demands of a daily newspaper. In less than a year, I was sole editor of the weekly youth page. At the same time, I juggled a full college course load. My ability to manage my time is one of the traits my editors regularly praise. I learned that — and a whole lot more — in journalism, as entertainment editor and then co-editor of The Stagg Line.

TARA CUSLIDGE, Class of 2002
Online reporter, The Stockton Record

 

My experience with the Stagg Line has paid dividends over the past decade. The ability to plan and write with vision, clarity and purpose is an asset to any career you might choose. In fact, solid communication skills are likely to propel your success! Both the Marine Corps and the business world demand their leaders demonstrate confidence, judgement, foresight and potent reasoning — all of which you develop working with a strong news staff. I can't tell you how many high-risk situations I've seen diffused (or intensified!) by effect of words alone.

JOSEPH FORBES, Class of 1998
Staff Sergeant, U.S. Marine Corps
Boston University School of Management

 

Due to the experiences I gained through high school journalism, I found myself in the position to be an editor at my college paper freshman year. I moved up in the ranks each year and was editor in chief while a senior. Although I chose not to formally pursue a journalism career, I have found that in graduate school and in the "real world" the skills I gained from writing to page design to meeting deadlines have come in handy. When interviewing for jobs, a journalism background is impressive. Employers have always been happy to know that I am capable of writing or taking on design
projects that they may not know how to handle. Also, the leadership skills that I gained have been a plus. I currently work as the publications coordinator for the Shakespeare Theatre Company in Washington, DC where I design the production programs and work on a variety of other print projects. Whether you use your journalism background directly or not, I
guarantee it will come in handy!

ANNE (RAPAPORT) HUNT, Class of 2000
Publications coordinator, The Shakespeare Theater Company, Washington, D.C.

 

The Stagg Line was my first experience with freedom of expression and censorship, as well as the importance of the First Amendment. With the spirited support of adviser Don Bott, it is one of the best training grounds for future journalists. My high school journalism days were filled with awe, gratitude, passion, persistence and curiosity. I learned there were no stupid or embarrassing questions. It taught me how to understand situations — sometimes chaotic, shocking, painful or confusing — look at something critically, without bias, and to account for what happened. I developed the utmost respect for the press and printed word, something that has stayed with me even after graduating Amos Alonzo Stagg High in 1999. Since then, I attended California State University, Chico, wrote for The Orion, became a Chips Quinn Scholar, graduated with a bachelor’s degree in journalism, and interned with the Contra Costa Times, Ledger Dispatch, Paradise Post and Action News. I am now a reporter for West Hawaii Today in Kailua-Kona, where I regularly cover issues pertaining to the environment, agriculture and recreation.

CAROLYN LUCAS, Class of 1999
Reporter, West Hawaii Today

 

My high school journalism experience is put to good use every day, whether it is while working on my college weekly, while writing an essay, or just when I'm reading the paper every morning. The things I learned in the Stagg journalism program are absolutely invaluable — I can't imagine my life without the experiences and instruction I gained by being in the program.

ANNA BELLE PETERSON, Class of 2006
Student, Mills College

 

As high school students, we were all asked questions about what we wanted to do with our lives and what we were passionate about. And I, like many, had no idea of what I wanted to do. I knew I could write, but at the time I didn't really want to be a writer. But if there was one thing that shaped my high school experience, it was The Stagg Line. I fell in love with the field of journalism because of that experience and learned so much about the field in the process. But above all I learned how to lead, how to assert myself, how to be a role model, and countless other skills that I use every day. Being a part of the staff made me a better person. Regardless of whether you want to go into the journalism or writing field, if you go in with an open mind, The Stagg Line can do the same for you.

CHRIS QUIBOL, Class of 2007
Student, University of California, Davis

 

I was very lucky to be a part of the Stagg Line staff in one of Don Bott's first years at the helm. Back then, we compiled each edition of the paper using a single Mac Classic computer in the corner of the classroom. Ironically, I signed up for the newspaper class because my friends were doing so, but the experience cultivated interests that were lurking just beneath my teenage surface. Writing for publication and winning awards taught me important research, writing, and revising skills that enabled me to take a job as the only freshman to write front page news stories for my college paper. However, the Stagg Line gave me gifts even more valuable than immediately marketable skills: my first glimpse into the realm of writing for publication and the confidence to identify myself as a writer. It also enabled me to discover a genuine love of gathering and disseminating reliable information, which has led me to become an educator and an author of nonfiction. Since high school, I have had bylines in various publications from The Record (Stockton) to the Yomiuri (Japan), and I thank the Stagg Line for guiding my first steps into a larger world.

CICELY RUDE, Class of 1993
Lecturer, Benerd School of Education, University of the Pacific
Author, How to Succeed as a Substitute Teacher (Corwin Press, 2008)

 

My two years in Stagg’s journalism program made me an infinitely stronger, cleaner writer and a better (and more diplomatic, I hope) editor. More importantly, they allowed me to ask questions, often of those in authority, and to think critically about the answers. I use the skills I learned in high school journalism every time I pick up the phone for an interview or sit down to face a blank screen. After two years in graduate school for journalism and more than six years employed in the field (in newspapers, television and magazines), I still consider my Stagg journalism classes the best preparation I’ve had for a career that I love. And they were certainly the most fun.

HANNAH SCHARDT, Class of 1995
Senior associate editor, National Wildlife Magazine

 

Most students in their high school career will come across a course or instructor that, upon recollection, was pivotal in their personal and academic development. For me that course was journalism, the instructor Don Bott. His class gave me the opportunity to learn how to write to an audience, to contribute to a team, and to produce polished, quality work. It was his instruction that promoted creativity, open-mindedness and leadership. In short, my work with the newspaper and its contributors made adapting to life beyond high school far easier, helping me realize my goals both then and now.

CHRIS WIHLIDAL, Class of 2005
Student, Yale University

 

During my senior year of high school I was given the title of editor-in-chief and early on I learned that not only do I have to be a strong leader but I equally had to be a strong team player to make sure everything came together for deadlines. Although I didn't continue my journalism career in college, I carried those ideas with me. In the 2006-2007 school year I became a co-captain of my student-run dance team that competed nationally. In the beginning I felt unprepared to lead my fellow teammates without the help of a coach but soon realized that the skills I acquired with the Stagg Line could easily be applied to not only this team but to life in general.

KATRINA WONG, Class of 2004
Student, University of California, San Diego