The Hillmen Messenger, Placer High’s online newspaper, welcomed the 2024 staff, mostly freshmen with only two returning members.  

This year’s staff comprises 22 freshmen, two sophomores, and two juniors.  Junior Marlie Buckingham serves as Editor-in-Chief. 

The Placer High School Journalism class, which has been a part of the school since 1971, is seeing a larger number of freshmen this year than ever before. In the class, students write and publish news articles about various events happening around campus, contributing their work to the Hillmen Messenger.

Students have mixed opinions on the freshmen-heavy class.

Sam Nishimi a sophomore at Placer High School Stated, “In journalism, freshmen tend to be oblivious about Placer High School and when writing articles it helps to know about the school to know how that topic affects the school.”

“I don’t think the freshman-heavy class affects anything because everyone in here is willing to work hard on their stories,” said Buckingham.

Although most of the students love the class it can also be difficult at times.

“The class can sometimes be challenging because it is hard to focus on what you are working on at times,” said  Josie Jackson, freshman.

Each week, the class generates new story ideas, and students have just one week to complete them. If a story falls through or becomes irrelevant, students must quickly start over with a new topic, even if it’s right up against the deadline.

Despite the challenges, many current students enjoy the class and many are considering joining it again next year. 

 “I like this class more than I thought I would and I think I’ll come back next year,” said freshman Amaya Zebroff.

Gabby Zablotny, freshman agreed, “I enjoy the class and I think that if people like to write they should join it too.”

The two returning staff members both love the class and have been here since freshman year.

Junior Natalia Merck is one of those students who have been on the staff the past three years.

“I came back to the class because I like Mr. Wilson as a teacher because he’s patient with the students,” said Merck.

Editor-in-Chief Marlie Buckingham has been a staff member of the Hillmen Messenger since she was a freshman as well.

“I really like the freedom in the class, being able to interview different people all around campus and Mr. Wilson and I have such a good relationship that makes me feel welcome. Even with all of the new people coming in It’s always the same community.”

“I wanted to be Editor-in-Chief  because last year as co-editor-in-chief I liked being able to direct people and help them write their stories.”

Journalism advisor Dan Wilson has been the journalism advisor since 2006.

“I love discussing current events with students and we need journalists to be the checks and balances to society,” said Wilson.

When Wilson first got the class list, you can imagine he was nervous seeing that the class was mostly freshmen.

“Going in it scared the heck out of me,” said Wilson. “I was afraid I might get an immature class that wasn’t ready to make ethical decisions but I quickly found out I was wrong. The class is made up of quality people who like to talk about news and are fun to have in class.”