Zayin Johnson is a new student here at Carbondale Community High School. Moving during your last year of high school is a unique experience, especially having just moved from Miami.

One thing that’s changed from his switch between schools is that Johnson is highly grade motivated, and that’s why he does so well as a journalist. It’s always a good idea to end the year on a good note.

He describes a good journalist as: “Someone who can take little info and make it into a full story, and make the person they’re interviewing more comfortable,”

Although Johnson didn’t choose this class when he first came to the school, journalism helped him improve some of his skills. 

“My social skills and time management,” Johnson said. “All the interviews helped me talk to people I don’t know,”

His friends describe him as quiet, funny, and hard working, but in class he’s even more. Johnson is a great journalist who’s covered a variety of topics, with his personal favorite being the article he wrote on whether it’s better for a wrestler to start the sport in middle school, or in high school. This article was his favorite because he wrestled for a short time, so he loves the sport and loves seeing his siblings enjoy themselves. 

Outside of school, Johnson normally watches his siblings and often draws in his free time. Johnson is very helpful with his great grandmother, and spends time with his grandma often. He’s also been working at Kroger for 3 months, having started in November. 

Johnson enjoys the class greatly, to the point of taking journalism for both semesters, and he encourages more people to join the class. 

“Just keep trying, pay attention in class, [and] keep writing. The more you write, the better it gets,” Johnson advises.