The Spartan Shield is the news publication of Huntington Park High School and is produced by all journalism students, ranging from beginner to advanced.
Mr. Nelson Ta has been the adviser of the program since 2018. Besides journalism, he also teaches English 11, AP Language and Composition, and AVID courses.
Monserrath Bucio Mondragon, senior, is the Editor-in-Chief of Spartan Shield after being News Editor the previous year. They’re the President of the Debate Club, and entering their 4th year competing with her partner Jazmin. She is also involved in the Youth Action as a core leader. This year she hopes to make it to nationals again for debate, and apply to college as a public health major to pursue research.
Aileen Zuniga, Senior, is Broadcast Co-Director and an Anchor for Broadcast, and a scriptwriter for Spartan Shield. Outside of school, she likes to bake, watch Supernatural, and rewatch her favorite Marvel movies. She is a part of the Varsity Softball team at HP and has been playing softball for 4 years. In the future, she wants to be accepted into one of her top UCs, majoring in finance or accounting.
Marilyn Hermosillo, senior, Broadcast Co-Director, scriptwriter and reporter. Outside of school, she enjoys going to the beach, crocheting, or spending quality time with her cats. She is a first year member in both yearbook and Spartan Shield, but a 4-year member and head captain of HP’s colorguard. This year she hopes to keep up her straight A’s to improve her chances of getting into a UC.
Jazmin Prado, senior, is the News Editor of Spartan Shield. She is the Vice President of the Debate Club and is entering her fourth year competing with her partner, Monse. She is also involved in Youth Action and has received an Outreach Award through robotics and recognition from the Huntington Park mayor for her involvement in debate. Outside of journalism and debate, she hopes to pursue public policy in college with the goal of becoming a human rights advocate or lawyer. This year, she hopes to compete at nationals and qualify for the Tournament of Champions with debate.
Sebastian Portillo, Senior, is the Features Page Editor in Spartan Shield. His interest are playing video games, pokemon, exercising, and listening to music. He is a leader in Key Club, Avid and enjoys hanging out with his friends. His goals this year is to finish Senior year strong and plans to major in aerospace engineering.
Nancy Portillo, Senior, is the Editorials Editor of Spartan Shield. She likes to play indie videos games or games produced by Nintendo, other thing she’s likes to do is to listen to music and watch TV shows. In school she is a part of the Debate club as treasurer and the school’s marching band playing the Saxophone. Nancy hopes to attend UC Berkeley and study social welfare. Another thing she loves to do is discover new coffee blends to taste.
Gabriel Rea, senior, is the Sports Editor and a photographer in Spartan Shield. He is a very outgoing person who likes to play a plethora of sports including soccer, football, volleyball, basketball, and boxing. AVID has been a huge part of his educational process. He has been in AVID since 6th grade and has changed his approach about school since the very beginning. He hopes to graduate highschool with a 4.0 GPA and get into TCU to become a mental health therapist. He also wants to make new connections with people in and out school to build new friendships and relationships. On his free time, he practices the guitar.
Adrian De Jesus Reyes Lizaola, junior, is the Culture Editor of Spartan Shield. On his free time, Adrian attends local hardcore shows with his friends. He has a diverse music taste–hopping from different genres depending on the mood. Adrian also likes to play video games. Some of his favorite games are Life Is Strange, Disco Elysium, Project Zomboid, and Persona 4 Golden. His goals for the future are to become a therapist or social worker to help people manage emotional and mental problems. Lastly, his favorite food is pizza and milk.
Mia Olivarez, junior, is Assistant Editor of Features and an Anchor for Broadcast in Spartan Shield. Outside of school, she enjoys spending time in nature, especially visiting botanical gardens and the beach. She is currently involved in ASB, serving as the media manager and secretary for the junior class. Her goals for the year include maintaining good grades and making fun memories with her friends. In the future, she hopes to travel and pursue a career in journalism, focusing on multimedia journalism.
Diana Morales, junior, is Assistant Editor for the Editorials committee in Spartan Shield. When outside of school she enjoys listening to music, hanging out at coffee spots, and spending time with loved ones. She is currently involved with AVID, TELACU, Key Club, and the Catholic Church of Saint Martha’s catechetical youth group. Her goals for this year is to maintain a GPA of 3.50 and above, make new friends outside of school, pass her AP exams, and develop new hobbies. As for the future, she’s unsure of what she’s going to major in, but she’d like to attend a UC and either become an actuary or a mathematics educator. A fun fact about her is that she loves to play Roblox
Alyssa Torres, senior, is a News Anchor for Broadcast in Spartan Shield.Her outside life consists of being an adventurous person who loves meeting new people and exploring the outdoors through hiking and running. She balances her time being in AVID, cheer, and yearbook, she also spends her time as a caretaker for children ages 3-5 at her church where she loves helping them learn and grow. She is working hard to reach a 3.8 GPA and to get into a UC , still exploring her future path as an entrepreneur, pediatrician, or teacher. However, she leans on her faith for guidance and strength to navigate her future.
Kenny Alvarado, senior, is a Broadcast Anchor and staff writer in Spartan Shield. As an avid sports lover, he is currently involved in five different sports: soccer, volleyball, football, cross-country, track, soccer. When he isn’t on the field or track, he loves to listen to music in his own time and workout. His favorite sport team is FC Barcelona. This year he hopes to pass with all A’s and get into a UC. In the near future, he hopes to play D1 soccer and study mechanical engineering.
Isabella Lujan, junior, is an Assistant Director for Broadcast and staff writer in Spartan Shield. Outside of school, Isabella enjoys spending time with her family, trying new coffee spots, running her own desserts business, and going to Disneyland. She is also involved in cheerleading, and this will be her third year on the team as she continues to strive for more! Her goals for this year are being able to compete in Las Vegas again for cheer and maintain straight A’s. This year, she also hopes to win another CIF Championship ring for cheer after winning one her previous season.
Crystal Jimenez, senior, is an Anchor, Reporter, and Staff Writer in Spartan Shield. Outside of school she enjoys to watch movies, draw and listen to music. It is her first year in Spartan Shield and Yearbook. She is a 3-year member of the Color Guard. Her goals for this year is to get good grades in each of her classes and get into a good college to study Criminal Justice.
Andrew Montano, senior, is the Lead Photographer and Assistant director of Broadcast. Outside of school, he loves connecting with nature and listening to music. He is involved in PHA and he also runs his own separate photography business. This year he hopes to be more involved in his class in hopes to make the most of his senior year. After high school he hopes to attend UC Davis and major in Animal Science
Angheli Kristal Diaz Torres, senior, is an Assistant Director of Broadcast and staff writer. On her free time, she plays different instruments like piano and guitar. She also enjoys crochet and watching movies in her free time. She is part of Youth Action, the Captain of the Robotics C.A.N.E.L.O team, and the director of a new presentation at HP called Spartan Integration and Resources. Her goals for this year are to learn a third language and apply to college. She has a Peruvian background and loves her heritage.
Nelson Aguirre-Medina, junior, is a Staff Writer, Reporter, and Podcast member in Spartan Shield. He likes to draw on paper and digitally, learn about computer history and play in his church band. He participates in theater and helped with several of the performances. His goals for the future is to get into college and become a private investigator. Something about him is that he like to cook burgers.
Lunah Chavarria, senior, is a Photographer, Producer, Staff writer, and Podcast Member in Spartan Shield. She loves reading romance books , watching movies and TV shows, and listening to music. She is in clubs such as Book Club, Youth Action club, and the Faith club. During this school year she just wants to complete high school with passing grades. After graduation, she plans to get into ASU or any UC school and major in Computer Science and Cybersecurity with a minor in business.
Raven Gonzalez, senior, is a Staff writer and Podcast member in Spartan Shield. Outside of school you can find him playing video games, playing guitar, or shopping for clothes. He enjoys listening to music, traveling and going walking. His goals for the future are to travel around the country and around the world, and get into a college in either Seattle, New York, or stay in LA. His career goals are to go into education.
Laus Acevedo, junior, is a staff writer and photographer for Spartan Shield. Outside of school you can find him at the gym or catch him at volleyball games. Something he is enthusiastic about is soccer. He likes watching games and supporting his favorite teams such as Real Madrid. He also enjoys playing pick-up soccer at the park when he has free time. His goals for the future are still unclear to him, but he does want to go to a UC and study something he enjoys doing.
Rafael Navas, junior, is a reporter for Broadcast and staff writer in Spartan Shield. He enjoys watching movies/shows, spending time with friends and working out. He is is involved in the Peer Health Advocate, UCLA EAOP, and AVID. This year, he hopes to maintain academic excellence, while doing multiple activities with friends. He hopes to major in Exercise Physiology in college.
Mia Figueroa, junior, is in the Social Media Committee and a staff writer in Spartan Shield. Outside of school you can find her trying new coffee shops ,shopping, and spending time with her friends and family. Mia is involved in both flag football and soccer and has played both sports through her three years in high school. Her goals for this year are to stay focused, continue improving in school and sports , and making the most of her junior year. In the future, Mia hopes to become a child life specialist and make a positive difference in the lives of children and their families.
Wendy Lopez, junior, is a producer in Broadcast and staff writer in Spartan Shield. Outside of school, she enjoys spending time with friends, going shopping with her sisters, and experiencing new adventures. She’s in her second year of Colorguard, while also being involved in UCLA EAOP. Her future goals are to pass her AP exams and get accepted into a UC her senior year.
Diego Gomez, junior, is a staff writer and photographer in Spartan Shield. Outside of school, his entertainment is playing video games and staying updated with sports. Diego plays football for HP and is involved with UCLA EAOP, TELACU, CSF and Key Club. His goals for this school year is to maintain his 4.0 GPA and to pass all his AP exams.
Ariana Hernandes, junior, is a staff writer and photographer. Outside of school, she enjoys hanging out with friends. In school she is involved in Flag Football where she has a good relationship and bond with her teammates. In the future she’s hoping to attend to a UC in hopes of becoming a Registered Nurse. As of right now, she is focused on bettering herself and focusing on school.
Malorie Ochoa, junior, is a staff writer and photographer in Spartan Shield. Outside of her academic life, Malorie enjoys shopping, playing roblox with friends, and spending time with her pets. She is currently involved in AVID, TELACU, UCLA EAOP, CSF, Key Club, and other programs. She is also associated with the girls volleyball team. Her goals for this year are to maintain the same GPA as last year and become more associated with clubs. In her near future, she hopes to pursue becoming a dermatologist.
Ailyn Vasquez, senior, is member of Broadcast, and Staff writer in Spartan Shield. Outside of school, she enjoys cooking, watching Marvel Studios movies, and taking pictures of nature and her pets. She currently works and takes care of her younger brother. This year, her main goal is to receive high honors both semesters. In the future, she wants to attend a UC or CSU and study in Pre-Law or Criminology.
