By: Mario Vargas Conde, Reporter.
For generations, student journalism has played a vital role in shaping young minds, amplifying voices, and fostering school spirit. That tradition is reborn with the relaunch of The Bulldog, Calexico High School’s official newspaper.
Led by Mr. Mariano Vélez III and a passionate team of students and educators, The Bulldog is starting small but carries a big vision. In the coming months, it aims to grow, bringing more contributions from students, staff, and community members. From hard-hitting news to thoughtful opinions, creative writing, and school highlights, the paper will serve as a platform for young journalists eager to make an impact.
In the year 2000, I was a student journalist for The Bulldog, Calexico High School’s student newspaper, under the guidance of Mr. Daniel Thornburg. Walking into that journalism class felt like stepping into a real newsroom. I was eager to write about my school, but I quickly realized I had a lot to learn. My writing needed work, and I sometimes doubted myself. But Mr. Thornburg was always there, offering feedback and pushing me to improve.
Each month, my classmates and I wrote stories, laid out the newspaper, and prepared it for print. Our work didn’t just stay in the classroom—we sent The Bulldog to the Calexico Chronicle, where it was printed alongside the city’s main newspaper. Holding a fresh copy in my hands was a thrill, proof that our work mattered. Then came the final step: carrying stacks of newspapers and delivering them to classrooms and offices, making sure our fellow students could read the news we had worked so hard to produce.
That experience was the spark that set me on the path to journalism. It gave me the confidence and skills to pursue a career in reporting, and now, 24 years after graduating in 2001, I found myself once again writing for The Bulldog. It’s a full-circle moment—one that reminds me just how powerful student journalism can be.
When I had the opportunity to write a one-time guest column for The Bulldog, I saw it as a chance to give back and support a project that would create meaningful experiences for CHS students, just as it did for me years ago. So thank you to Mr. Velez for allowing me to come full circle by collaborating on this first issue and I hope my stories help someone with their dreams and goals. Writing a guest column for The Bulldog was an opportunity to give back to my alma mater and support a project that will create meaningful experiences for CHS students, much like it did for me years ago. Giving back to my school has been especially rewarding through my work with Ms. Betty Núñez as an advisor for the Calexico High School Interact Club, a Rotary-sponsored organization that fosters leadership and community service among students.
The return of The Bulldog is more than just a revival of a publication—it’s a rekindling of school pride and a commitment to the power of storytelling. Student newspapers have long been the training ground for future writers, reporters, and leaders. They encourage critical thinking, give students a voice, and create a sense of unity within the school community.
To the students, teachers, and Bulldog community: this is your newspaper. Whether you contribute articles, support its mission, or simply take the time to read, you are part of something special. The pages of The Bulldog will reflect your voices, your stories, and your experiences.
Welcome back, Bulldog—the newsroom is yours. Arriba Bulldogs!
