Freshman Team – Class of 2030
Maddie Bello
As a first-year member of the team, Maddie says her favorite part of Hitching Post has been the people in her class, who she describes as welcoming and eager to bring everyone along. Her dream interview would be one of her favorite musicians. She’d love to ask what inspired them to start making music and which of their own songs they’re proudest of. Right now, she’s working on her first article, a piece on marching band, and says interviewing people about their passions has inspired her to get back into playing music herself. Outside of journalism, Maddie loves art, especially sketching, painting, and working with watercolor and acrylic paint, skills she’s built up through classes since she was little. Her comfort snack of choice is chips. She gave a shout-out to Mrs. Morse, her middle school teacher, saying she made class special with field trips and new techniques, and that some of her favorite memories from middle school happened in that classroom. Welcome to the team, Maddie!
Aracely Delgado
Now in her third year of Journalism, Aracely says her love of writing and her curiosity about what’s happening around her make journalism the perfect fit, a passion she first discovered at Costa Mesa Middle School. If she could interview anyone, she’d pick Lana Del Rey, her favorite singer, to find out what inspired her to pursue music. Most of the articles she’s worked on have been teacher profiles. Outside of journalism, Aracely loves reading, writing, dancing, and crafting with air-dry clay, along with bedazzling and painting. Her comfort snack is Hot Cheetos, and she lives by the idea that everything happens for a reason, and that the person you become matters more than the person you were. She gave a shout-out to Mrs. Kaska, thanking her for always believing in her and always being there when she needs support.
Maya Muniz
A first-year staffer, Maya says her favorite part of the team is the community and all the different ideas people bring to the table. If she could interview anyone, she’d choose Olivia Dean, her favorite artist, who she admires and looks up to. Outside of journalism, Maya loves spending time with friends and can’t stand a messy room, so organizing and cleaning are among her favorite pastimes. Her go-to snack is “honestly anything.” She lives by Psalm 86:15, which declares “But you, Lord, are a compassionate and gracious God, slow to anger, abounding in love and faithfulness.” Maya gave a shout-out to Mrs. Kaska, saying she’s never failed to turn around a bad day, always bringing a smile and a positivity that never seems to waver. Welcome to the team, Maya!
Leo Nieves Velazquez
A first-year staffer, Leo says his favorite part of being on the team is getting to work on articles. If he could interview anyone, it would be Kanye West, who he calls an inspiration. His favorite piece so far has been his article on the actor who voiced Optimus Prime. Outside of journalism, Leo enjoys reading comics and collecting figures, and he likes to snack on peanut butter cookies while working. His motto comes from Kanye West: “Nothing in life is promised except for death.” He gave a shout-out to Ms. Marcus.
Olive Orris
A first-year member of the team, Olive says her favorite part of Hitching Post is the chance to collaborate with others and the creative freedom that comes with it. Her dream interview would be musician Noah Kahan, thanks to the stories he tells through his songs. Her favorite article so far has been “Freshman Fears vs. Senior Advice.” Outside of journalism, Olive plays club volleyball and loves going to the beach and shopping. Her comfort snacks are cookie dough or ice cream, and her motto is, “You are who you surround yourself with.” She shouted out Mrs. Davalos, saying she made Spanish class fun and easy to understand.
Kate Thomas
Kate is new to the Hitching Post this year, and says that she loves being able to write about things that are important to her and getting the chance to be in a group of people who all like to write. Given the chance, she says she would interview Steven Spielberg, the director of films like E.T and Jaws, because she would love to just hear his process in continuously making movies that were extremely successful for over 40 years. The most interesting story she has worked on was the opening of the new Barnes and Noble store at South Coast Plaza, because she got to take lots of photos and even interview a customer. In addition to writing and reading, Kate has interests in running, crocheting, and baking sweet treats. Her favorite comfort snacks are Trader Joe’s Fig and Olive crackers or milk chocolate strawberries from Tru Fru. She lives by the quote “Closed mouths don’t get fed,” which she interprets as, if you never ask for something then you never get it. She would like to shout out Mrs. Kaska, her varsity dance teacher, for always making her smile. We’re happy to have you on the team, Kate!
Lexy Zagal Cervantes
The Hitching Post would like to extend a warm welcome to Lexy, who is joining for her first year of journalism. She likes the opportunity to interview and socialize with more people in this role, and she is proud of her Spider-man Thoughts and Opinions article. Outside of journalism she likes to draw, do nails, and make bracelets, and her comfort food while meeting deadlines is Buenos chocolate bars. Her personal motto is “Don’t let memories trick you into reopening doors that were closed for a reason.” She would like to thank Ms. Kaska and Ms. Mores for making her time at Mesa extra fun.
Gavin Leonard
Now in his third year on the team (after two with our middle school journalism class), Gavin says his favorite part of Hitching Post is simply writing articles. If he could interview anyone, he’d pick Mr. Beast, who he thinks seems like a lot of fun. His favorite piece so far covered the school’s new e-bike policy. Outside of journalism, Gavin likes spending time with his dogs. He gave a shout-out to Ms. Marcus, saying she makes class enjoyable and has made his time there more fun.
Elena Chezmechyan
Sophomore Team – Class of 2029
Dessarae Bardere
Dessarae has been a member of the team for three years and her favorite part of being on the team is creating new stories that she enjoys writing and, hopefully, that the school community enjoys reading! The most interesting article she has worked on so far has been her article about driverless cars called Waymos. When she is not writing for the Hitching Post, she enjoys cheering and hanging out with friends. She lives by the motto “You only live once.” She would like to shout out Ms. Flati for always being there for students. She said “she is always ready to listen to any problems we may have.”
Jackson Burke
A first-year member of the Hitching Post team, Jackson loves getting to write about the things he’s most passionate about. If he could interview anyone, it would be Kobe Bryant. He’s always admired how influential and how much of a leader Kobe was. So far, his favorite piece has been his article on the first football game of the season. Outside of journalism, Jackson keeps busy with baseball, golf, and watching football, and he never turns down a bowl of popcorn while working on deadline. His motto: “What if it all works out?” He’d like to give a shout-out to Ms. Marcus, who he says is always kind and lets him and his friends hang out in her classroom during lunch and break.
Ashton Kewitsch
Now in his third year on the team, Ashton says his favorite part of Hitching Post is the writing itself and the creative freedom that comes with it. If he could interview anyone, it would be George Washington. He’s curious what the first president would think of what the country has become. His most interesting piece so far was an article on hantavirus, which let him experiment with a unique writing style. Outside of journalism, Ashton plays tennis and keeps a stash of sweets nearby for deadline days. He lives by the words, “The strongest warriors always fight the hardest battles.” He gave a shout-out to Mrs. Kahawai, saying he always looked forward to her 9th grade class, where they read books like Of Mice and Men and Romeo and Juliet.
Alex Smyth
A four-year veteran of the team, Alex says his favorite part of Hitching Post is getting to write about the things that interest him most. If he could interview anyone, it would be Patrick Mahomes, he’d love to know what it took for him to become one of the greats, and sees it as a once-in-a-lifetime chance to get to know him. His favorite piece so far was a weekly sports roundup during a stretch when big news was breaking across every sport. Outside of the newsroom, Alex plays football and basketball, and his comfort food of choice is sushi. His motto: “The only impossible journey is the one you never begin.” He shouted out Mrs. Orduna, who he says has supported him even on days he’s missed class for games.
Michelle Xahuentitla
A first-year staffer, Michelle doesn’t currently have anyone in mind for a dream interview, but her favorite article so far covered the OC Fair, where she enjoyed learning about how and where it got its start. Outside of journalism, Michelle loves listening to music, and her comfort snack of choice is Lime Hot Cheetos. Her motto is, “Everything happens for a reason.” She gave a shout-out to Mrs. Kahawai, saying she’s helped her with everything, step by step.
Carmen Lohora-Young
Kelsey Garduno
Junior Team – Class of 2028
Anthony Sanchez
We’re so excited to welcome Anthony for his first year at the Hitching Post, where he likes that you can write about what you want. He says his dream interview would have been Napoleon Bonaparte, because he ruled France. We bet Anthony would have found out a lot about Napoleon for Mesa students. The most interesting article Anthony has worked on so far is his piece on the Lindsay Clancy case. He likes playing sports, dogs, and snacking on Sour Patch Kids, and his personal motto is “You only live once, but if you do it right, once is enough.” He would like to shout out Ms. Cross for being a fun teacher and teaching a fun class.
Samuel Shaw
This is Sam’s first year with the Hitching Post team, and he is happy to be in a nice, fun environment. His dream interview is Stephen Curry because he is his favorite NBA player, and he is proud of the sports recap articles that he has worked on. When he is not working on his articles he enjoys working out and playing video games or snacking on candy, and his motto is “You miss 100% of the shots you don’t take.” He’d like to thank CMHS teacher Ms. Cross for being a fun teacher who leads an entertaining class that is never boring.
Senior Team – Class of 2027 – WOOT!
Chloe Hills
Chloe has been part of journalism for six years, going all the way back to middle school, and says her favorite part of being on the Hitching Post team is being surrounded by people who love writing just as much as she does. Her dream interview would be the members of Led Zeppelin, she loves their music and would jump at the chance to hear their story. The most interesting piece she’s worked on so far was her article covering the swim team’s Division 3 CIF championship win, a sport she also competes in herself. Her snack of choice while meeting deadlines is fruit, and she lives by the words, “Don’t let the sound of your own wheels drive you crazy.” Chloe wanted to shout out both Mrs. Tsuge and Mrs. Kahawai, saying they’ve always been a safe place for her and that she genuinely enjoys their company. Mrs. Kahawai would like to shout her out right back, and thanks her for being such a valuable resource to the Hitching Post for SIX YEARS!
Jocelyn Welch
A first-year staffer, Jocelyn says the best part of being on the Hitching Post team is being part of such an encouraging and supportive community. If she could sit down with anyone in the world, she’d choose Hajime Isayama, the creator of her favorite anime, Attack on Titan. She’d love to know more about the detail and foreshadowing he wove into the story. So far, her favorite article to work on has been her Art Club piece, where she enjoyed learning about each officer’s personality. Outside of the newsroom, Jocelyn is a barrel racer and equestrian who also loves making art. Her go-to deadline snack is a very specific Chipotle order: extra white rice, extra chicken, extra cheese, and two vinaigrette sauces. Her motto is, “You’re only limited to what you allow yourself to be limited to.” Jocelyn wanted to shout out Mrs. Debusk, calling her a true inspiration who makes students feel welcome and comfortable, and who’s always been someone she can go to for advice or just to talk. Welcome to the team, Lyn!
Kaitlyn Boudreau
A first-year member of the team, Kaitlyn says her favorite part of Hitching Post is the time she gets to write her stories. If she could interview anyone, she’d choose Trisha Paytas, admiring how much she’s overcome and persevered through in life. So far, she’s only worked on her article about financial advice, but we know that there are many good things to come from Kaitlyn. Outside of journalism, Kaitlyn likes to color and spend time at the beach, and popcorn is her go-to deadline snack. Her motto: “Fighting fire with fire gets everyone burned.” She gave a shout-out to Mr. Piazza, saying he always finds a way to make class fun and put a smile on her face. Welcome to the team, Kaitlyn!
