Every writer who steps foot in Mr. Fagen’s newspaper class knows how symbolic the first chair on the right side of the room is. It’s not just a seat that one sits down to accomplish their daily writing quota or discuss their plans for the following budget. It’s much more than that. That seat is where the Editor-in-Chief sits every year to lead, inspire, and drive the publication towards success. And that’s just what Alexia Rivera did.
Sophomore year, Rivera decided to take a new step out of her comfort zone and tap into her creative side. However, what would later come as a surprise is that journalism was something she could not let go of. As she typed on her keyboard more and more and edited TikToks for the CHAT, she found herself immersed in the idea of being able to share someone’s story and bring it to life.
“With journalism, I kind of found that I was really good at it,” explains Rivera. “I found that it was something beneficial for my future that I wanted to pursue.”
As she entered her junior year, she had previous experience as being celebration specialist in which required a bubbly, yet encouraging personality. Rivera had just that. However, now, she was taking on leading the social media team between both classes, digital and content. It was Rivera’s job to not only highlight the personality of the CHAT and the work that was being done, but also the entire school’s as well. With this in mind, Rivera pushed her way to new heights and added more followers and engagement to the CHAT’s existing 2k+ following.
Once Rivera stunned the 2024 Editor-in-Chief, Valerie Questell, with her leadership and compassion for the writers, she stepped into the intimidating yet rewarding role of Editor-in-Chief. At the same time, she was stepping into the spotlight as Dance Team captain. The year of 2024-25 would be the time for Rivera to lead her peers to success. But with that came challenges.
“It was definitely difficult…there were times where I’d have to focus on one more than the other, or times where I’d have to adjust and problem solve and figure out what I needed to do in the moment,” comments Rivera.
With challenges in life, some run or abandon the root of the problem. However, for Rivera, she did the opposite; she allowed others’ help to guide her into success. With the challenge of continuing the legacy of two esteemed Charter organizations, Rivera knew she had to create her support system. This wasn’t only to help her with the stresses of being an Outstanding Senior Leader, but to remind her of her worth as a student and an inspiration to her peers.
“It’s just really overwhelming at times, and it feels like, oh, like, what did I do to deserve this? But definitely the people around me in my family, just being there as a reminder that I did work hard.” As Rivera walks herself back through her successes, she comments, “Sometimes you forget about all the hard work that you put in, and you focus on a lot of the failures. But you have to remember the accomplishments that you’ve made along the way.”
A week from now, Rivera will walk the stage at the City Hall to officially close her chapter as a Jaguar, but her impact on the CHAT Newspaper will forever remain. Through her smiles everyday as she entered class, the kind push for everyone to be their best, and the creativity that continuously stemmed from her brain, it is needless to say that the CHAT will forever be looking up to Rivera and making her proud.
In the fall of 2025, as the leaves drop from the trees and the air gets a bit cooler, Rivera will be taking her talents to Florida International University (FIU) to continue pursuing her passion in Digital Communications and Communications.
“…Hopefully you’ll see me on TV. That would be pretty cool,” she says with a smile on her face, giggling to herself while discussing her hopes for the future. Charter can’t wait to see her take that next step towards her dream, with no doubt that she’ll make it.
