Lake Highlands High Schools’ Student Media is breaking stereotypes, pushing boundaries, and boasting with a new sense of pride, because newspaper and yearbook staff have welcomed, for the first time since 1970, two male editors in chief.
Freddy Somers (12) and Bo Richardson (12) are the editors for the school year. Richardson for newspaper and Somers for yearbook, but both young men have equally significant roles for LHHS considering they’ve broken the gender roles within the program.
Somers explained he’s excited to create something meaningful for students that will stay with them for (hopefully) the rest of their lives.
“I felt a mix of nervousness and excitement going into this year,” replied Somers.“I was anxious about stepping into such a big role, especially following in the footsteps of the amazingly talented Linnea Roberts, last year’s yearbook editor in chief.”
Richardson was less apprehensive about the leadership position.
“I honestly felt great coming into this role,” Richardson said. “I couldn’t feel more grateful for my position and the opportunity to lead and change the program.”
Richardson stated that he also felt nervous stepping into the role as well.
“Just being a guy in a leadership position in journalism is special in itself,” he said. “There is a special responsibility handed to me to make sure all students are heard, informed, and entertained.”
The last time was when Dan Pritchett and David Bates were our editors in 1970. Pritchett for Wildcat Yearbook and Bates for The Fang.
Somers explains how he ended up in the role.
“By a scheduling mix-up, I was placed in photojournalism instead, a class I hadn’t even considered and knew literally nothing about. At first, I was upset and tried my hardest to switch out, but it just wouldn’t fit in my schedule,” said Somers. “However, my disappointment quickly faded the second I stepped foot in Mrs. Macias’ classroom. I immediately connected with the subject matter—photography, caption and sidebar writing, and so much more.”
“Looking back, that accidental placement turned out to be one of the best things that ever happened to me.”
Richardson is the third person in his family to participate in Lake Highlands’ student media after his mother and his older sister. He states that, as well as Somers, he was put into the class by accident.
“I was put in journalism as a sophomore by accident,” Richardson says. “I slowly grew to love writing throughout that year.”
Richardson decided to join newspaper the next year and served as a writer and Copy Editor.
They are both excited about what lies ahead.
“What excites me the most are all the new people on staff! Even in these first few weeks, I can already see how incredibly talented they are, and I know they’re going to do amazing things in Yearbook,” Somers concludes.
