This article was a winner of Lookout’s 2025 Journalism Scholarship Challenge, which invited high school students to highlight an unsung hero in their life. Learn more and find all of the winners here. “Education is not the filling of a pail, but the lighting of a fire.” – WILLIAM BUTLER YEATS What is a hero? […]
Student Stories
Posted inStudent Stories
Unsung Santa Cruz: Inspiration through drumming; Zack Olsen’s story
Zack Olsen is an inspirational musician who has helped students achieve music awards.
Posted inStudent Stories
Unsung Santa Cruz: How a devastating bike crash sparked Danny Cortazzo’s mission to spread beach joy
This article was in the top 3 winners of Lookout’s Journalism Scholarship challenge, which invited high school students to highlight an unsung hero in their life. For placing in the top 3 they were awarded a $500 scholarship. Learn more and find all of the winners here. It takes a village. In the case of […]
Posted inStudent Stories
Unsung Santa Cruz: Alexis Keith’s non-profit battles food insecurity and empowers teens
This article was in the top 3 winners of Lookout’s Journalism Scholarship challenge, which invited high school students to highlight an unsung hero in their life. For placing in the top 3 they were awarded a $500 scholarship. Learn more and find all of the winners here. The kitchen is a chaotic place. Picture this: […]
Posted inStudent Stories
Kirby School creative writing contest winner: ‘I can still see them’
Lookout’s Student Stories initiative presents this creative writing piece by highschooler Rowan Renner-Lassar.
Posted inStudent Stories
Harbor High’s Film Team: The 2025 Clash of Titans Film Competition Fundraiser
Editors Note: Student Stories is where students can share their voices, opinions and projects. This is a project offered through our Lookout in the Classroom program where students receive free access to all of our content as well as workshops and curriculum for local educators. Learn more here. Harbor High’s IB film team has been […]
Posted inStudent Stories
Aptos High Drama Department Presents: The Pajama Game Directed by Stacy Aronovici
Aptos High Drama is proud to present their production of The Pajama Game, directed and produced by Stacy Aronovici! Transport yourself to the fabulous 50’s, a world of bright colors, big skirts, and 30ȼ gas prices! Mr. Hasler (Demetrius Sosa, senior), the greedy boss of an Iowan pajama factory, Sleep Tite, has hired a new […]
Posted inOpinion from Community Voices
The Queer and Trans Youth Council creates a zine with hopes to support LGBTQIA+ high school students
The Queer and Trans Youth Council of Santa Cruz County, a program of the Queer Youth Task Force, is a youth-led council that focuses on building community and leadership skills. Each year the council members create and complete a project that will help build a safer county for our LGBTQIA+ youth. This year they are […]
Posted inOpinion from Community Voices
Ligiah Villalobos: Educating Lost People of Mexican Descent through the Medium of Film
Editor’s note: Lookout’s high school journalism challenge invited students to write a profile of an unsung hero who is making a positive difference in our community, inspired by our popular “Unsung Santa Cruz” series. This student participated in his class at Diamond Technology Institute. A mother and son, hundreds of miles apart, physically separated by […]
Posted inOpinion from Community Voices
Unsung Santa Cruz: Counselor Zamora helps students succeed in a post-pandemic world
Roberto Zamora, an academic counselor at Rolling Hills Middle School, is an unsung hero dedicated to helping students navigate their educational journeys. Born in Mexico and raised in Watsonville, Zamora goes above and beyond to support not only students but also his colleagues, offering guidance, assistance and even acts of kindness like buying lunch for those in need. His passion for making a difference, fueled by his own experiences, makes him an invaluable asset to the community of Santa Cruz County.