Welcome!
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A bit about meMy very first byline came as a result of the summer youth journalism workshop at East Lansing Info (ELi), my hometown's very own independent, non-profit news organization. I've enjoyed journalism ever since. My journey started a few months back, when we had just shut down due to COVID. I reached out to my English teacher at the time, Cody Harrell, to ask him for advice on a letter I had written in support of a local business receiving a loan. He invited me to both apply to the youth workshop, and to join the staff of Portrait, the student paper of East Lansing High School. I joined my sophomore year as a copy editor, and have since moved on to become the Editor-in-Chief of the Website, and finally, the Editor-in-Chief of Copy. Since then, I've had the honor of being able to share the stories of my community in both ELi and Portrait. I've also had the privilege of attending the second tier of the summer journalism workshop, as well as The School of the New York Times and being selected to attend the Asian American Journalists Association's JCamp. Joining Portrait has given me the opportunity to meet a group of some of the kindest and smartest people in the whole school, and I'm glad I took a leap of faith in joining it. Most importantly, being a part of Portrait has given me the opportunity to tell so many stories, and uplift the voices of many students who would otherwise not have a platform to speak on. Outside of student journalism, I'm a member of my school's marching band, Wind Ensemble, and Symphonic Orchestra wind section. I love both instrumental music and whatever else I happen to be listening to-- if it has a tune, I'll happily listen. I'm really interested in international events and cultures, and I'm a member of the Model UN club and the treasurer for the Asian Student Union. |
Words from my Co-Editors-in-Chief
"In my four years on the newspaper staff, I have worked with dozens of other student journalists. I’ve seen countless talented writers and patient editors-- but nobody stands out in my memory like Adan Quan. Adan joined the staff his sophomore year, one year after me, but learned at a faster rate than I could ever hope to. Within a few months of being on staff, he was already a copy editor, during the pandemic. I was genuinely amazed that within a few months, he was fully capable of helping students rebuild their stories and giving helpful critiques, all via Zoom. This was something I struggled with after a year and a half of experience-- that anyone would struggle with-- yet he met the challenge. Not only was he a skilled editor, but a skilled writer. In his sophomore year, he wrote a story qualifying for the Best of SNO, an incredibly competitive award. He pushed me to be better. He made me realize that it was possible for all of us at ELHS to excel with journalism, whether from the classroom or at home on zoom.
He only continued to push himself from there. By his second year, he was already Editor-in-Chief, an amazing and challenging feat. Now, we work together as Co-Editors-in-Chief of Copy, and my respect for him has only grown. I’ve gotten to know him in a way that I wasn’t able to during the pandemic. I am lucky enough to have gotten to work with such a talented and patient person. I have always been amazed by the quality of Adan’s work, but his talent goes well beyond that. He is always willing to work with me on any ideas or concerns I have, he is always happy to help edit a story, and he gives constructive advice that new writers need to be built up. He has always gone above and beyond.
Whatever is going on in our community, Adan is there. This is something I’ve always noticed about him, but it has really shown through recent events. When a student was facing discrimination at our local library, he was one of the first people who made it his job to inform our community of the facts. When we faced violence in our school, he appeared at the board meetings. He was at the walkouts, taking quotes. And most recently, he was there when MSU was mourning in the wake of tragedy. Nobody made him show up for our community. Nobody told him it is his job to spread accurate information. I know that he does it because he cares."
-Willa Cornillie, Editor-in-Chief of Copy
He only continued to push himself from there. By his second year, he was already Editor-in-Chief, an amazing and challenging feat. Now, we work together as Co-Editors-in-Chief of Copy, and my respect for him has only grown. I’ve gotten to know him in a way that I wasn’t able to during the pandemic. I am lucky enough to have gotten to work with such a talented and patient person. I have always been amazed by the quality of Adan’s work, but his talent goes well beyond that. He is always willing to work with me on any ideas or concerns I have, he is always happy to help edit a story, and he gives constructive advice that new writers need to be built up. He has always gone above and beyond.
Whatever is going on in our community, Adan is there. This is something I’ve always noticed about him, but it has really shown through recent events. When a student was facing discrimination at our local library, he was one of the first people who made it his job to inform our community of the facts. When we faced violence in our school, he appeared at the board meetings. He was at the walkouts, taking quotes. And most recently, he was there when MSU was mourning in the wake of tragedy. Nobody made him show up for our community. Nobody told him it is his job to spread accurate information. I know that he does it because he cares."
-Willa Cornillie, Editor-in-Chief of Copy
"Adan Quan’s commitment to journalism is less of a passion and more of a lifestyle. He continually strives for accuracy in reporting and a standard of work comparable with journalists far beyond his years of experience. He works to widen the coverage of student and staff culture and is reserved in his leadership as well as contributing to a strong culture of professionalism. Adan is what the new face of journalism will look like in an ever-changing world, a world that he continues to report on with a sense of duty."
-Gretchen Rojewski, Editor-in-Chief of Visuals
-Gretchen Rojewski, Editor-in-Chief of Visuals
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