2024 NC Student Journalist of the Year Portfolio

Elena Pačes-Wiles (right) demonstrates InDesign to classmates.

I am the co-editor-in-chief for the Pirates’ Hook, Riverside’s bilingual student newspaper. I am a passionate writer and find great joy in editing student work.

Each year, my favorite project is my semester-long investigative feature. My classmates and I ask hard questions which turn into impactful stories about our school and community. When I was a sophomore, The Pirates’ Hook partnered with the Ida B. Wells Society for Investigative Reporting, a news trade organization dedicated to increasing and retaining reporters and editors of color in the field of investigative reporting. The Hook was selected by the organization to pilot a program that extends its training, mentorship and support to high school students.

As a member of a diverse student body, I also believe that all students should be able to access our coverage, including the families who speak a language other than English at home. Spanish is the most commonly spoken language among our ESL students, so we translate a portion of our content both in print and online. It requires more time, space on the page, student collaboration and review by a bilingual faculty advisor, but it’s worth it because news should be accessible to everyone.

Although I do not plan to major in journalism next year, I will use my writing and investigation skills to research psychology and write for my school paper.

Contact me

919-519-6951 elena.paces.wiles@gmail.com