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MY HERO Journalism Interns

Enjoy stories written by MY HERO interns.

Jennifer Yoshikoshi

Credit: Jennifer Yoshikoshi

Currently Staff Writer, The Almanac

Jennifer joined The Almanac in 2024 as an education, Woodside and Portola Valley reporter. Jennifer started her journalism career in college radio and podcasting at UC Santa Barbara, where she worked as an intern for MY HERO and graduated with a bachelor's in anthropology in 2023. Previously, her work has been published in the San Mateo Daily Journal and on The MY HERO Project website. 

Stories by Jennifer

Ke Huy Quan - Immigrant to Award-Winning Actor

By: Jennifer Yoshikoshi
Ke Huy Quan serves as the Asian immigrant role model for generations spanning from 1984 to 2023.

Alyssa Carson: A Future in Mars

By: Jennifer Yoshikoshi

Kiara Nirghin: Young and Innovative

By: Jennifer Yoshikoshi

Louise Simonson: The Unsung Creator of Superheroes and Villains

By: Jennifer Yoshikoshi
As a veteran comic book writer and editor Simonson claims that women have always been working behind the scenes in the production of comic books.

Diana Chao: Changing the World for Mental Health

By: Jennifer Yoshikoshi
With the simple but heartfelt idea of writing letters, Diana Chao created a non-profit that aimed to destigmatize mental health for youth worldwide. Letters to Strangers, also L2S, was founded by Chao in 2013 when she was a sophomore in high school

Selket Kaufman: A Hero and Voice for Nature

By: Jennifer Yoshikoshi
Selket carries an immense passion for nature and through her travels, she’s had her eyes opened up to the environment and also the cultures around them.

Mónika Naranjo-Shepherd: Storytelling Through Her Eyes

By: Jennifer Yoshikoshi
As a child, Mónika Naranjo-Shepherd loved writing stories.. Now, she is a well-travelled documentarian and 2023 winner of MY HERO Project’s Sylvia Earle Award.

Elissa Montanti: Spreading Global Compassion

By: Jennifer Yoshikoshi
Elissa Montanti is the founder and director of The Global Medical Relief Fund, a non-profit that helps children who have been injured by war and natural disasters.

Phan Thi Kim Phuc - From a symbol of war to a symbol of peace

By: Jennifer Yoshikoshi
Napalm Girl was used as propaganda by Vietnam but Kim Phuc strived to use her presence as a force to drive a positive impact in a world of war

Natalia Osuna - Currently a Reporter at KIII 3 News

Credit: USC

Stories

Dread Scott: A Revolutionary Artist Fighting For An Oppression-Free World

By: Natalia Osuna

Ada Limón: The 24th Poet Laureate

By: Natalia Osuna

“We call BS”: Gun Control Activist Emma González Radiates Power

By: Natalia Osuna

Azomali Obisakin's "Racism Must Stop" Wins 2022 Dan Eldon Youth Activist Award

By: Natalia Osuna

Daniel Taylor wins WOJ Youth Reporter Middle School Award at 2022 MY HERO Film Festival

By: Natalia Osuna
Daniel Taylor wins WOJ Youth Reporter Middle School Award at 2022 MY HERO Film Festival

Phyllis: A Self Portrait Wins Portrait of an Individual at MH Film Fest

By: Natalia Osuna
Director and producer Harris Cohen has won the 2022 MY HERO Film Festival for his film Phyllis: A Self Portrait, an inspirational short documentary film featuring a driven, multi-talented woman who is passionate about transforming her community.

Susan Hillary: The Bright and Empowered Mind Behind The PRATT in the HAT

By: Natalia Osuna

Sebastian Ruiz

Sebastian Ruiz

By: Shannon Luders-Manuel

I’m currently attending San Francisco State University with majors in microbiology and English literature and plan to graduate in 2022.

Sebastian's Stories

Angela Kim: MY HERO's Emerging Artist of the Year

By: Sebastian Ruiz
Angela Kim is a filmmaker who won MY HERO's Emerging Artist of the Year in 2020 for her film "Marcel Duchamp: The Art of Life."

Myisha T Hill: Awareness Activist

By: Sebastian Ruiz
Myisha T. Hill is a speaker, mental health activist, and the author of "Check Your Privilege."

Bill Gates

By: Sebastian Ruiz
Bill Gates is the founder of Microsoft and the co-founder of the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation.

Francisco Toledo

By: Sebastian Ruiz
Francisco Toledo was a Mexican painter who was considered one of the most important artists in Mexico.

The Word Revolutionist: James Baldwin

By: Sebastian Ruiz
James Baldwin was a highly influential author of the Harlem Renaissance.

The Sculptor: Selma Burke

By: Sebastian Ruiz
Selma Burke was an influential African American sculptor during the Harlem Renaissance in the U.S.

Cheuk Yiu (Rene) Cheng

Cheuk Yiu (Rene) Cheng

By: Shannon Luders-Manuel

I am Rene, and I graduated from UC Berkeley in 2020. I am passionate about writing in lifestyle, beauty, and self development. I also love broadcast and data journalism. I enjoy outdoor activities like hiking, going to the beach, and picnics!

Rene's Stories

Anna Sui

By: Cheuk Yiu (Rene) Cheng
Anna Sui is a Chinese American fashion designer who won the Geoffrey Beene Lifetime Achievement Award from the Council of Fashion Designers of America (CFDA) in 2009.

Grace Zia Chu

By: Rene Cheng
Grace Zia Chu was a notable author of Chinese cooking and became a landmark figure in Chinese cuisine to Americans.

Viola Davis

By: Cheuk Yiu (Rene) Cheng
Viola Davis is an American actress and was the first black actor and one of only 24 people to date to achieve the triple crown of acting: winning a Tony Award, an Academy Award and an Emmy Award.

Mary Wollstonecraft Shelley

By: Cheuk Yiu (Rene) Cheng
Mary Wollstonecraft Shelley was a Gothic novelist, most famous for her book Frankenstein.

World Post Day

By: Cheuk Yiu (Rene) Cheng
World Post Day is celebrated every year on October 9, in honor of the Universal Postal Union (UPU).

Jesse Zaragoza

Jesse Zaragoza

By: Shannon Luders-Manuel

Jesse Zaragoza is a passionate sports writer who loves talking about stories on the field... and more importantly off of it.

Jesse's Stories

NBA

By: Jesse Zaragoza
The National Basketball League (NBA) is implementing social justice messages and measures to support Black Lives Matter and voting rights.

Tommie Smith, John Carlos, Peter Norman

By: Jesse Zaragoza
Tommie Smith, John Carlos, and Peter Norman, who were part of the 1968 Olympic team in track and field, raised their fists during the US National Anthem in support of civil rights.

Kobe Bryant

By: Jesse Zaragoza
Kobe Bryant was a professional basketball player for the Los Angeles Lakers.

Anthony Lynn

By: Jesse Zaragoza
Anthony Lynn is the head coach of the Los Angeles Chargers. His nonprofit, The Lynn Foundation, helps build schools in Tanzania and helps kids get access to clean water.

Metta World Peace

By: Jesse Zaragoza
Ron Artest, "Metta World Peace," is a professional NBA player who has been open about receiving support for his mental health.

Skyler Gallarzan

Skyler Gallarzan

By: Shannon Luders-Manuel

Skyler Gallarzan is a rising junior at Loyola Marymount University, on the road to receive her bachelor's degree in journalism. Growing up in San Leandro, CA, she had ventured to Los Angeles to experience a brand new environment to filled with diversity, art, history, and amazing food. At LMU, she is involved in LMU Athletics and is on the Executive Board for the Filipino American Cultural Club on campus. Gallarzan hopes to one day use her skills as a journalist to share the beauty of various cultures around the world, and be a resource to all different kinds of communities. When she is not writing or studying for school, she enjoys listening to new music, cooking, and also exploring new places to eat delicious food.

Skyler's Stories

Fe Del Mundo

By: Skyler Gallarzan
Fe Del Mundo, referred to as the first woman to attend Harvard Medical School, was also the first person to be named one of the National Scientists of the Philippines.

Carlos Bulosan

By: Skyler Gallarzan
Carlos Bulosan was a Filipino novelist who moved to the United States at a young age.

Avoiding the Coronavirus as a Student

By: Skyler Gallarzan
Students returning to campus in 2020 must take precautions to protect themselves from COVID-19.

Alicia Bernal

By: Skyler Gallarzan
Alicia Bernal acts as an "Ate" to a Filipino college freshman, helping her understand her culture and providing support in her new environment.

Organizer created on 9/15/2020 2:42:37 AM by Shannon Luders-Manuel

Last edited 2/9/2026 3:03:07 PM by Abigail Richardson

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