On this edition of Behind the Paper, I interview Valeria Velasquez, a junior at Rock Bridge that I met last year. I think out of everyone on the newspaper staff, Valeria is one of the people I have become closest with the fastest. When I first met Valeria last spring, I have to admit I was a little jealous of how good her art was. We didn’t really talk until our art editor, Moy, introduced us, and I’m so glad she did because I can now call Valeria a very close friend of mine. She’s caring, has a great sense of humor and is very talented.
 
Tell me a little bit about yourself (i.e. hobbies, family, pets, etc.).
 
“Hi, my name Valeria Velasquez. I came to the United States from Nicaragua when I was six years old. Some of my hobbies include drawing, writing, doing art and cooking. I had a whole tank of pretty fish, but on the way to transporting them to my new house, my parents hit a speed bump, and they sort of spilled all over my lap.”
 
What is your position on staff?
 
“I’m an artist for Southside Media.”
 
When did you begin drawing?
 
“I’ve been drawing for as long as I can remember. My dad actually has a bunch of my art scanned from when I was really young. I kind of stopped doing art in middle school, partly because I find art extremely frustrating and difficult, but freshman year I gradually began to get interested again.”
 
Why do you like drawing?
 
“Even if I find doing art extremely frustrating, no feeling is more blissful than starting at an art piece that you are sufficiently satisfied with.”
 
What is your favorite part of newspaper class?
 
“My favorite part of newspaper is getting to do art. I’ve never taken a formal art class, and I’ve always had to do art on my own time. But because of Honors Seminar, I now have the opportunity to do art as part of my curriculum. I also like the dynamic of the staff I’m working with, and it’s great to be part of a team.”
 
What made you want to join Newspaper?
 
“Moy Zhong, the design/art editor was an artist for the paper last year, and I really liked that she had the chance to do art without taking an art class. I probably wouldn’t have learned about  it if she hadn’t told me about it. Aside from that, staff seemed like a fun community to be a part of.”
 
Do you plan to take newspaper or journalism in college and/or pursue a career in that field?
 
“I do not. Ironically enough, when I was younger I really wanted to go into journalism, mostly because I really enjoyed writing.”