A Time to Reflect

As They Exit the Post’s Program, Interns Share About Their Experience

Sofi Fischer

I remember walking downstairs every morning before school to witness my dad, sitting at the kitchen table, reading the recent issue of the Palisadian-Post. It was an integral part of his routine, providing him with a sense of awareness and belonging within the Palisades community. Being a means of communication and connection that highlights events and stories unique to the Palisades, the Post is one among the many things that makes this community feel like home.

I had already been writing for my school magazine, Tideline, at the time, but I developed a fascination with the idea of expanding my writing to broader audiences outside of the Palisades Charter High School student body and rather all throughout the Palisades community.

I spent days fruitlessly searching for journalism programs, internships and writing opportunities of any kind, coming to the conclusion that nothing truly piqued my interest in the way that I hoped for. But when I came downstairs one morning to see my dad reading the Post, once again, it all clicked very suddenly, like a sign that was right in front of me all along.

I became an intern for the Post in June 2022, and was tasked with the responsibility of conducting interviews and writing articles on the endeavors and activities of fellow Palisadians, in addition to proofreading articles and offering feedback.

This experience enabled me to grow as a writer while crafting my skills as an editor, eventually giving me the foundation needed to become the features editor for Tideline.

With every interview I conducted, I was left motivated and inspired by my neighbors who not only managed to create a platform for themselves, but strive to use that platform to better the Palisades community and beyond.

After writing articles ranging from local beach cleanups to criminal justice reform, I feel honored to be a voice that echoes the goals, aspirations and accomplishments of Palisadians such as these.

In addition to highlighting the stories of others in the Palisades community, I was also given the opportunity to write articles about my family and our holiday traditions. I shared aspects of my identity through the Post, creating a presence for myself within the community.

As I am graduating this year from Pali High, I intend to pursue journalism in college, joining new publications and meeting new sources of inspiration wherever I go in hopes of growing and fueling my writing.

The Palisadian-Post has been an influential part of my life, in fostering my love for journalism and my voice as a journalist. I am beyond grateful for the short time that I was a part of its life as well.

Coco Merritt

As I enter my final semester in high school, not only is my senior year coming to a close, but also my time in Pacific Palisades.

I was first introduced to the Palisades when I became a student at Paul Revere Charter Middle School in 2016. Since then, I have become a Palisades Charter High School student (soon-to-be-graduate) and an active member in the Palisades community.

Wanting to be involved in journalism in middle school but never having the opportunity to do so, I jumped at the opportunity to involve myself when my other obligations came to a halt during the COVID-19 pandemic. At the end of my sophomore year, I saw that Pali High’s student-run publication, Tideline, was looking for applicants and eagerly applied in order to join the program in my junior year.

After being exposed to interviewing, writing and editing, I quickly fell in love with journalistic-style writing and the journalism process. Wanting to try my hand at sports writing, I was lucky enough to have Tideline advisor Lisa Saxon ready to help. With her knowledge and many years of experience in sports journalism, Mrs. Saxon helped me learn the ins and outs of writing sports stories as I published one of the very few athletic stories from Tideline at the end of my junior year.

Eager to stay involved in journalism and wanting an internship for the summer, when Mrs. Saxon announced that the Palisadian-Post was looking for interns, I instantly looked into applying. I was lucky enough to be able to spend my summer with the Post, and extended my internship into the fall and winter, as I enjoyed it so much.

Having the opportunity to write about all my favorite Palisades events such as the Fourth of July and programs in the Palisades that I am so passionate about, such as Pali Ambassadors, was a big change from writing about only Pali High events. I was able to explore and learn more about the community that I have been a part of for so long, and heard new stories from community members that I had never known before.

Working with Lily Tinoco was truly the highlight of my time at the Post, as I gained a mentor and someone who truly was able to improve my writing. Working so closely with Lily was a joy, and she brought so many wonderful opportunities to me.

As a now senior, I am the editor for the newly reestablished sports section at Pali and am looking forward to continuing journalism as I start college in the fall.

I am so appreciative of the Post and thank the staff greatly for all they have done.

Karina Eid

It has been two years since I began my internship with the Palisadian-Post, and I have since received an invaluable window into journalism. During my time with the Post, I have written 13 articles and met many incredible mentors.

Ever since my first story about a debut author, I developed a deep love for reporting. My heart filled with joy and ambition the moment I saw my name printed in ink on a fresh copy of the Post; my mother and I bought four newspapers that one Thursday two years ago, one of which is still hung up in my room. From researching to interviewing to writing, I quickly became eager to immerse myself in as many stories as I could.

Not only did this internship lead to my own growth as a journalist but it also allowed me to meet a wide variety of people I never would have otherwise met. Each feature I wrote offered me insight into the interesting new innovations of many Palisadians, whether through film, music, art or therapy, for example.

I am excited to continue my journalistic endeavors in my last semester of high school, college and beyond. In college, I plan to pursue a multidisciplinary schedule of political science, history and journalism.

I also hope to work on my university’s newspaper, as well as intern at a local one. In the future, I hope to become a journalist who can wield her pen to create captivating, evocative stories. If this dream comes true, I will have the Post to thank as my stepping stone and much more.

I am also incredibly grateful for the Post’s staff, particularly my mentor Lily Tinoco. Without fail, she offered me guidance in each of my stories and helped me best craft my interview questions.

In short, I am sad to part with the Post, but I know I will cherish and employ the lessons I learned here not only in my future journalistic endeavors but also in my daily life.