“Writer Swap” is a collaboration with other Holy Cross high school newspapers. We will work with editors from Holy Cross High School of San Antonio, Texas and San Juan Diego Catholic High School of Austin, Texas to hear stories and traditions from their schools and see the differences in various Holy Cross institutions.
Due to San Juan Diego’s student body being just under 150 students, a newspaper never seemed necessary for a school our size. There was a well-rounded attempt made a few years ago, spearheaded by a decent number of passionate students, but unfortunately, after they all graduated, the project disappeared. However, I didn’t let the small student body nor the failed previous attempt stop me from trying to start a school newspaper.
The 2024–2025 school year is the first year in the last five or six years where San Juan Diego has had a newspaper. I’ve had to start this initiative completely from scratch. The Lancer Editor-in-Chief Katherine Winton (’25) guided me through every step leading up to Saintly Headlines’s first launch. Without Winton, it would have taken me forever to teach myself about using a website software completely unknown to me.
Winton and I collaborated to build the website; I shared my ideas, and she brought them to life. I was grateful to be able to rely on her tips and tricks because I’ve been doing this relatively on my own. I do have to give credit to my amazing Co-Editor-in-Chief, junior Mia Garza, who has helped me immensely throughout the process.
Since starting this process, I have noticed that there is a lack of care for the art of writing at my school. I have to admit, going into this process, I wasn’t expecting to have to pry papers out of my writers, but I began to realize that there is a widespread lack of motivation and will to strive for above and beyond. Since the newspaper isn’t counted as a grade at San Juan Diego, many writers treat it as a free period or a blow-off class every Friday. If it’s not something that absolutely needs to get done, it won’t get done. Granted, the whole staff isn’t this way, as I have some staff who do care and want to write; however, the number is quite low.
Writing is a true passion of mine—I feel like I can explain my emotions best through writing and can fully let go with no setbacks. This newspaper means more to me than words can express, and I want it to be a place where people who love to write have an opportunity to do so. However, I have found that there are hardly any people who enjoy writing anymore. I feel like a lot of that lack of interest stems from exposure to social media, because while someone may love to write, the motivation to do it is stripped away due to the effects of a constantly changing world wide web.
To anyone who has that passion to write, I plead with you, don’t let it go. You don’t need to pursue a career in the field; just make it a part of your daily life. Journal, note down random thoughts, pen down poetry. Whatever it is you think of, just write.
At first, I didn’t think it would be possible to start up a school paper practically alone. Now I can see that through creative expression and focusing on my world outside of a screen, I was able to create something that not only brought my school community together but also the communities of the other Holy Cross schools participating in the experience.
