Loren Barjis

I am a sophomore at West High and a copy editor for West Side Story, a student-led publication in Iowa City, Iowa. My reporting focuses on social injustice at both the national and local levels, as well as community events and student life. I often draw from my own experiences as an Iraqi immigrant, using them to inform how I approach stories about identity and policy in the 21st century. In addition to news coverage, I write cultural pieces, including an in-depth review of a gothic film. As a student journalist, I aim to cover stories that are relevant and engaging to my community while also contributing to broader conversations beyond it.