The James Logan Courier

By Arushi Saluja, Showcase Editor

Theresa Lin is currently a Senior and taking Photography One. This is her first art class and it has been an enjoyable experience for her. It has opened her up to trying out other forms of art and increased her receptivity and appreciation of art in general.

Photography has also altered her view of school. Since taking professional pictures requires creativity, she has learned to look at things from other points of view. In school she no longer goes from one class to the next ignoring her surroundings.

Though Theresa admits that at first taking photographs for the class itself was more of a chore than anything else, when she became accustomed to her camera the assignments became more fun. She takes pleasure in knowing exactly what she’s doing with her camera, how to adjust the lenses, and capturing the perfect moment. She cherishes the skills she has developed this year and will continue photography in the future as a hobby.

By Arushi Saluja, Showcase Editor



The following are a few words by Ming in regards to himself and his poetry:


"I am content with the level I am at now because I write poems for myself. I've never formally taken a class for it and I do it mostly for school, but I try to put my own spin on them. For instance these two poems are written within the boundaries of being related to a certain game, but to the untrained eye, they just look like a normal piece
of writing. I suppose that's the beauty of poetry. People will read a work of poetry and the feelings evoked are theirs alone.”

By Arushi Saluja, Showcase Editor

The following is an interview with the artist, Kaitlin Nguyen:

Since when did you draw and paint?

Currently I am a senior. I used to draw a lot when I was little and my parents weren't too happy when my artwork would end up on the wall. Growing up, drawing became something I enjoyed. Eventually my parents and friends really encouraged me to improve over the years. It wasn’t until the summer before freshman year that I began to experiment with watercolor, acrylic paint, and oil pastel.

Why do you do draw? What makes it worth it?

I do it because I either have to do it for a project or I want to because I love to do it. It just allows me to create my own characters and world the way I imagine it. There’s no one way to how I illustrate the images in my mind.

Have you taken any formal art classes?

No, I honestly haven't taken any serious art classes except Digital Arts freshmen and sophomore, but those classes focused on photo shop and I wasn't as good at it as I am on paper.

by Arushi Saluja, Showcase Coordinator

The following is a summary of an interview with Alexander Abusaidi:

“I am in 12th grade and I have been drawing since I was 3 years of age. I do it for fun really, it's like a form of expressing my thoughts; like poetry. I have never taken any formal art classes in my entire life and unfortunately, few can draw like I can. This has influenced me in way such that I sincerely value the talent I possess and utilize it to its fullest potential. Maybe one day, taking formal classes would be nice, to perfect my existing techniques. I draw when I feel calm and free of distractions, or to pass time in a boring environment. Improving my drawing has always been my first priority, whether it's drawing in the 3rd dimension, or adding shadows and texture, I yearn to improve and evolve.”

By Marissa Felardo, Showcase Editor

Tran Tran, a freshman in high school, started practicing her drawing in the third grade and took art classes in middle school. However creativity appears to run in her blood, since she has some artists in her family that do realistic drawings and designs.

By Arushi Saluja, Showcase Editor

The following are a few words Thomas said about himself and his photography:

“Hello readers, I am currently enjoying my last year at James Logan a senior. I started photography when someone commented on an amateur picture of mine. It inspired me to pursue it as a hobby and it turned out that I really liked it. Not taking the pictures up front, but behind the scenes work. The designing of a picture is the most fun part of photography.

I took Multicultural Art with Mrs. Curson in my sophomore year and I took Digital Photography with Mrs. Rios my junior year. No one around me really cares that much for photography as a hobby for themselves, but they have been interested in mine so that influenced me to strive to take more sophisticated and creative pictures; for example, the one with the mime. I take pictures whenever I go somewhere surrounded by nature or to another state or country. I don't think I would take classes for photography, this is pure hobby. I'm proud that I won prizes but I don't want my view on art to change from a loving hobby to a competition-- so I'll stay the amateur I am.”

by Arushi Saluja, Courier Showcase Coordinator

1) When did you start writing for fun?
-- It started sometime in 8th grade after I came home from church camp back when in still lived in Tracey. After I moved to Union City I went through a slight depression and couldn't express myself in words. I think I entered Logan not only as a freshmen, but also as the new kid in town. So, writing became fun because I was able to vent and pour all my feelings into words. I especially like writing poetry because it doesn't matter if what I say is logical, so long as it comes from my heart and is based on true emotion.

By Arushi Saluja, Courier Staff Writer

Bonnie Trinh is a senior in high school. She made all of the ceramic pieces junior year. They were all made from the ceramics class and she generally doesn't make pieces in her free time. The class itself she found to be very enjoyable and interesting. Bonnie's cousins and uncle draw, but that hasn't had much influence on her. Ceramics is fun and also relaxing for her--when there is no time limit. Sometimes making pieces for the class was stressful because there were time constraints. Ceramics is just a hobby for Bonnie, although she would like to improve and create more complex artwork.

(More of her work after the jump!)

By Arushi Saluja, Courier Showcase Coordinator















Bio after the jump!

By Arushi Saluja, Courier Showcase Co-ordinator

The following are a few words Michael had to say about himself and his poetry:


“Hello, I am Michael Wang, and I am currently a senior, class of 2013. My current English class is AP Literature with the Mr. Ryan, which is now taught by Mrs. Fenzl. I like writing stories, or just anything to get out my emotions. As they always say, the pen is mightier than the sword. Words can do everything, and this is why, I love expressing my emotions with poems, speeches, and other commanding uses of words. I suggest writing as a way to better grasp what's happening around you and inside you. It’s a good way to let out all the inner turmoil and stress. It can also help think things out things thoroughly and make sense of all that’s going on your brain.”

By Arushi Saluja, Courier Staff Writer

Brandon is a senior and the following is an interview discussing his origami. His dedication and commitment to origami is revealed below.

Courier: How long have you been making origami?

Brandon Ngo: I have been making origami for 8 years now.

Courier: Why do you enjoy doing this?

Ngo: I enjoy making origami because it's very interesting and it keeps my mind off of things.

By Arushi Saluja, Courier Showcase Co-ordinator


I recently had the chance to sit down and talk to Janet about her poetry. The following are a few questions that reveal a little about the author behind the poem.

1) When did you start writing for fun?
-- When I was in elementary school I kept journals and wrote in them, and in middle school I wrote short stories. I haven't had time to write for fun in a while, and just jot down small stuff when I feel like it.

2) What poetry stood out to you? Why write poetry and some other form of written work?
-- I have a friend who writes beautiful poetry about depression, and life, and being transsexual. I think her poems stand out the most to me. I write poetry or just self-rant when I can't stop thinking or when I feel very emotional.

By Arushi Saluja, Courier Showcase Co-ordinator

Jennifer Xiong is a senior and has been drawing since she was in elementary school. Drawing is a beloved hobby of hers that she’s had since she was a child. Jennifer is currently taking AP Art with Logan art teacher Kate Lipman.

By Arushi Saluja, Courier Showcase Co-ordinator


Katelin-Rose Kasilag is a currently a senior and has been drawing since the age of 5. She took AP Art with Logan art teacher Kate Lipman as a junior because she thought it would be fun to learn more in depth about art. Katelin recommends AP Art to students that are outgoing and truly confident in their artistic abilities.

The Courier's Showcase features James Logan art and artists. If you'd like your art showcased here, bring it by The Courier office, in room 509, for consideration.

By Marissa Felardo, Courier Showcase Co-ordinator

Veronica Carmela Camarillo, also known as Chicken, is a senior at James Logan High School. She started taking painting and drawing classes, as well as multicultural art, last year, although she has been a talented artist since 5th grade.

Veronica is inspired to draw because it’s a way of expressing herself, including her interest in animals since she usually only draws them. She also wants to be more like her grandmother, who once made oil paintings, and would like to pursue art as a career as well. Veronica would like to attend the San Francisco Academy of Art, to improve her drawing of people and so her art may look more realistic.