I had always thought that being a journalist was an unrealistic job. However, on November 14th, I witnessed Pitt’s own efforts to become an open-minded journalist. Pittsburg High School’s Broadcast Journalism classes got the amazing opportunity to participate in Diablo Valley College’s Journalism and Media Expo (JAME). The Expo was guided by several experienced journalists from different categories; Nolan Higdon, a political analyst concentrated in AI literacy, propaganda, and news media history; AK Sandhu, a film maker concentrated in reproductive rights, the immigrant experience, and bringing to light lost history; Abel Anguiano Gomez, a freelance journalist student currently studying at UC Berkeley, writing for the Daily Californian, and for the San Jose Earthquakes; Jennifer Seeling, vice president of news format or Audacy brands and director of News and Programming at KCBS; and Jessica Christian, a photo journalist for the San Francisco Chronicle. All journalists participated in a sit down panel for all attendees of the expo. Each speaker provided a different insight to how they started their careers, what inspires them, and what being in mainstream media entails. 

After the Industry panel the attendees were invited to different classrooms on the DVC campus that explored broadcasting, green screens, photography, and writing. The professors that take care of these classes did not shy away from informing students what their class is about, along with answering questions about their craft. Some students do state it would’ve been nice to be a little more hands on with certain classes because everything seemed so new. To most it was. 

The event had a special highlight to networking, which is the main form journalists work their way into this field. Tables were offered in case students wanted to get in contact with universities regarding journalism majors. Alongside them were news and radio stations like KQED that were interested in looking for media interns. Or students just got the opportunity to talk further with journalists they found interesting in the panel. The networking tables allowed for opportunities to fall right into the hands of what could be future journalists. 

Overall, the trip was definitely worth doing.

Teachers said they weren’t getting paid enough, especially since living in the Bay Area is really expensive. They also wanted better health benefits, smaller class sizes, and more staff to help students. Many teachers feel stressed and overworked, and they wanted the district to listen.

During the strike, teachers stood outside schools and protested. Some schools were closed, and students had to stay home. Parents and students showed support by honking, showing up to rallies, or posting online.

After a few days, the teachers and the district reached an agreement. Teachers are getting an 8% raise over two years and better health benefits. Once the deal was made, teachers went back to work.

This matters to students because when teachers are treated better, schools run better. The strike showed that teachers are standing up for themselves and trying to make schools better for students too.

Recently in Richmond, California, teachers in the West Contra Costa Unified School District went on strike. This was a big deal because it was the first time something like this happened in a long time. Teachers stopped working for a few days to speak up about issues at their schools.

Teachers said they weren’t getting paid enough, especially since living in the Bay Area is really expensive. They also wanted better health benefits, smaller class sizes, and more staff to help students. Many teachers feel stressed and overworked, and they wanted the district to listen.

During the strike, teachers stood outside schools and protested. Some schools were closed, and students had to stay home. Parents and students showed support by honking, showing up to rallies, or posting online.

After a few days, the teachers and the district reached an agreement. Teachers are getting an 8% raise over two years and better health benefits. Once the deal was made, teachers went back to work.

This matters to students because when teachers are treated better, schools run better. The strike showed that teachers are standing up for themselves and trying to make schools better for students too.

Diego Cervantes

Downtown Pittsburg has been packed to the brim with community events that both appeal to local students and adults alike. An example that happened quite recently was the “How The Grinch Stole the Barber Battle” event held on Sunday, December 14, 2025. A barber battle that featured both licensed and student barbers with opportunities to showcase their skills to licensed barbers all across the Bay Area with numerous prospects and licensed individuals from Sacramento to Oakland. The event was apart of the Bay Area Student Barber Expo movement, a movement designed to draw interest from incarcerated and aspiring barbers across the Bay Area.

These gatherings reflect a broader push to bring inclusive events in both the Bay and downtown Pittsburg, where people who aspire to learn and become beauticians can learn from these events. This “How The Grinch Stole the Barber Battle”, was the third annual one, and it will continue for as long as Pittsburg stays alive. 

Community and recreational centers like the Marina Community Center, and parks such as City Park, also host open gyms for young aspiring tweens and teens to practice and hone their basketball and volleyball skills to make their team or to train for a club. These natural hubs for students become social hangouts and allow others to bond and connect and naturally become hubs for students in the area. Pittsburg’s Marina Center and downtown area is an area that continues to offer a variety of experiences that fit the interests of its diverse community.