Kim Yeyna, Advisor
Kim Yeyna is the proud newspaper advisor who’s been steering the ship at Poly for six years—though, let’s be honest, it’s the students who run the show. Watching them take the reins and churn out remarkable stories makes her smile (and occasionally burst with pride). As an English teacher, she’s always scouting for budding writers to join the team, armed with pens and a sense of humor. When she’s not immersed in student brilliance, Kim Yeyna is off enjoying good books, culinary experiments, precious time with her family and thrilling escapades with her husband—because life’s too short for dull moments!
Owen Weems, Editor-in-Chief
Owen Weems, your Poly Spotlight Editor-in-Chief for this year, is a senior this year. He joined Spotlight at the beginning of last year and is so excited to continue working with all his fellow Spotlight staff. He is drawn to opinion pieces as well as articles covering the important work that clubs do to make Poly great. He loves to play guitar and volunteer when he has time. He plans to double major in journalism and public policy. Eventually, he hopes to become a journalist for a major newspaper.
Isaac Julian, Editor
Isaac Julian is a Junior at Poly in his second year on the Spotlight staff, as an editor. He enjoys delving deep into timely issues that matter to not just him, but the general public. He spends personal time making all sorts of art, journaling on occasion, but mostly just chilling after a long day of work. Past his time in high school, Isaac is thinking of majoring in biochemistry, even eventually getting a PHD in it. Or not. Time will tell.
Allurabella Chandler, Staff Writer
Allurabella Chandler is a Sophomore, beginning her first year in Poly’s Spotlight Staff. She enjoys partaking in her many extracurricular activities inside and outside of school, such as running track and cross country, singing with Poly’s choir, Chamber Singers, and working with her teammates in mock trial. She is very passionate about sports and is hoping to showcase that through her writing in this upcoming year.
Ariel Connell, Staff Writer
Ariel Connell, a sophomore, is in her first year on Poly’s Spotlight Staff. She enjoys writing articles about opinions and conducting quick polls throughout the school during 0 period. She also participates in Mock Trial, swim, tennis, choir and PCL. Outside of school she enjoys hanging out with friends, shopping, and going to the beach. Once Ariel graduates, she plans on going to a private four year college, majoring in Political Science, and minoring in English. Then she plans on going to Law School to become a lawyer.
Delaney Cordes, Staff Writer
Delaney Cordes, a Senior, is in her second year on Poly’s Spotlight Staff. She takes pleasure in writing about sports and current events taking place around campus. When school isn’t in session, Delaney enjoys working out, hanging out with friends, and drinking coffee. After graduating, she plans to attend a 4-year university and double major in exercise science and creative writing.
Alina Gomez, Staff Writer
Alina Gomez is a Senior and this year marks her third year as a staff writer for the Poly Spotlight, she enjoys writing diversions and focuses more on pop-culture. She takes pleasure in singing and cooking, experimenting with new ingredients and coming up with recipes. Alina plans to go to a four year college and study political science and sociology, she hopes to become a social worker to help out families.
Daniel Holscher, Staff Writer
Daniel Holscher is a junior who is returning for his second year as a Spotlight Staff member. Daniel loves to write sports articles along with informational pieces based on the latest news at Poly. In his free time he enjoys reading, and especially running as he debuts into the Cross Country team once more. As he advances from High School he is aiming to major in psychology and science, aiming to be a pathologist or chemist. Being curious is something that thrives in his nature.
Connor Julian, Staff Writer
Connor Julian, a first-year Spotlight staff member, is a senior at Poly. He finds interest in journalistic videography and interviewing, as well as writing about current events on campus. Off campus, however, Connor enjoys watching psychological thriller movies, like Silence of the Lambs and Se7en, as well as creating and listening to music. Beyond high school, Connor would like to pursue a career in electrical engineering as it relates to audio production at a 4-year university.
Simranpreet Kaur, Staff Writer
Simranpreet Kaur is a sophomore currently in her first year on Poly Spotlight. She loves spending her time baking anything with chocolate, especially cookies, watching TV-shows like Gilmore Girls and hanging out with friends while shopping . In Poly Spotlight Simran hopes to focus on more impactful articles where she can really give her opinion and thoughts on topics, while simultaneously comparing and contrasting opposing ideas. She would like to see herself get into UCR in the future, and major in political science and maybe minor in journalism.
Lucy McPherson, Staff Writer
Lucy McPherson is a sophomore and new staffer on Poly Spotlight. Some school activities she is involved in include DLI, cross country, choir, and many clubs. Outside of school, Lucy does ballet and enjoys baking, reading, and listening to music. After graduation, Lucy hopes to study sociology at a 4 year university and get a social service job in Southern California.
Olivia McPherson, Staff Writer
Olivia McPherson, a sophomore, is a first-year Spotlight staff member. She enjoys writing about school events and opinion pieces. In her free time, Olivia enjoys singing, reading, and baking. After high school, she plans to attend a 4-year university and pursue her dream job of becoming an ASL interpreter and a Spanish to English Translator.
Reagan Metzger, Staff Writer
Reagan Metzger is a Senior as well as a second year Spotlight staffer and photographer. Reagan loves to work on pieces about the Riverside community, student experiences, and video articles as well. In her free time, she loves getting outside, taking pictures, spending time with her brother, Ben and going to church. After high school she plans to attend a four year university for aviation, photography, or medical. Even though she has yet to decide her career path, she looks forward to all great things that the future holds.
Aubrey Packer, Staff Writer
Aubrey Packer is a senior, writing for her second year on The Poly Spotlight staff. Aubrey loves working on sports articles and features. When she isn’t writing she enjoys listening to country music, trying new coffee shops, and shopping with her best friends. After high school she plans to attend college, majoring in history to pursue a career as a lawyer.
Jasmine Ramos, Staff Writer
Jasmine Ramos is a senior who is a first year Spotlight staff member. Jasmine enjoys writing about the experiences of individuals and its community. She likes spending her free time watching movies and shows, as well as working on scripts or ideas for films. She also stays active, going on daily strolls or hikes. In the future she plans on directing her own films while also working on developing tech to help her community.
Samantha Reed, Staff Writer
Samantha Reed, a sophomore, is a first-year staffer in Poly’s Spotlight. She enjoys writing about student life and the features of students and staff on campus. In her spare time, she loves designing templates for the school yearbook, taking photos, spending quality time with her family, and going to Disneyland. In the future, Samantha is committed to attending a 4-year university or college, majoring in kinesiology and minoring in mathematics. Ultimately, she would like to attend medical school to pursue a career as a sports medicine physician.
Jaidan Slowik, Staff Writer
Jaidan Slowik is a Junior and excited for her first year as a part of Poly Spotlight Staff. Jaidan is excited to write on current events and work on opinion pieces. She spends lots of time partaking in theater, choir, and waterpolo. She hopes to one day pursue a career in the medical field.
Sakura Snyder, Staff Writer
Sakura Snyder, a senior staffer on Spotlight, loves to work on articles regarding pop culture and communities from all around the globe. She also enjoys writing about the different sports and clubs available on campus. Outside of Spotlight, Sakura spends her time organizing events for her Asian Student Union, as well as playing lacrosse and hanging out with friends. After high school she hopes to attend a four year university with prospects of entering the medical field.
Ally Taynton, Staff Writer
Ally Taynton, a Sophomore, is a first year Spotlight staffer. Ally loves to work on topics about student life such as, new additions to campus and student activities. Apart from Spotlight, she is in the DLI, a member of the Sports Medicine Club, does Acro Gymnastics, Track, and Tennis. In her free time, she enjoys reading, baking, and listening to music. After high school, Ally would like to get a scholarship to a University with an Acro and Tumbling team and pursue a career in Sports Medicine.
Jonathan Viene, Staff Writer
Jonathan Viene, a senior, is a second year staff writer for the Poly Spotlight. He swears if he hadn’t torn his ACL, he’d be writing for the New York Times by now. In his free time, he likes to play golf, thrift, say hi to Mr. DeAnda, or listen to music. Mainly rock music, but he reportedly dabbles with the likes of Frank Ocean or Taylor Swift here and there. He hopes that maybe one day he’ll be good enough to finally have one of these things published. 🙁
Miles Watts, Staff Writer
Miles Watts is a Junior and it is his second year in Spotlight. As a staffer, Miles enjoys writing articles on music and VAPA events (concerts, performances, etc.). When not doing work, Miles enjoys making music, practicing, writing and practicing his cursive, and simply relaxing. When he graduates from Poly, he plans to pursue a career in music performance and study jazz to eventually perform in gigs, musicals, and pass on his knowledge to aspiring musicians.