Casey Leach, a senior at Camas High School (CHS), is the editor-in-chief of The Camasonian journalism program.
Leach joined journalism last year, and she became the editor-in-chief at the beginning of this school year.
“I’ve always loved writing. In my sophomore year, I was nominated for journalism,” Leach said. “At that point, I didn’t really know what I wanted to do with my life, and I knew that I wanted to write.”Journalism allowed Leach to express her love for writing and gave her a career path that she greatly enjoys.
“I think journalism did a great job at combining my love for writing and my love of logic and learning things,” Leach said.
Leach is pursuing a double major in journalism and political science.
“I love studying politics to see how people get so caught up in it and how it can build up a country or tear it apart,” Leach said. “I want to go into international issues, which is what I want to report on. I feel like a double major in journalism and political science would give me a pretty well-rounded education relating to that.”
Leach says journalism taught her leadership skills and how to connect with people.
“Before this, I didn’t really have much experience with leadership roles, and now I have two years of experience teaching people how to write and helping people,” Leach said. “I feel like it all helped me step out of my comfort zone and be more of an adult.”
Leach’s successor is Elly Jensen, who is currently a junior.
“We joined the same year, so when we were first both in class together, I remember she sat at the farthest possible table,” Jensen said. “It’s been cool to see her grow from that into a great leader. She can really encourage people to do better work, but she also gets people excited to come to class.”
Leach’s work ethic is another standout to Jensen, truly highlighting her passion for journalism.
“She cares so much about things, and she puts so much thought and effort into making them the best she can,” Jensen said. “She’s very driven, and I think that’s a really great trait about her.”
Kate Gooding teaches Journalism and has seen firsthand how Leach has grown into a leader.
“She came into journalism, and it was very apparent how much she cared about journalism and writing,” Gooding said. “She’s developed her skills and grown her understanding of what it means to be a leader and to lead a group of students and the importance of networking.”
Gooding says she puts a lot of trust in her editors, and when it comes to Leach, “I know everything’s in good hands when she’s working.”
