Special Projects
Similar to regular articles, features help to tell stories and experiences that might otherwise go unheard. Unlike news pieces, features often focus on timeless themes; while they may be centered around a person or event in the present, their message resonates beyond the moment and contributes to a broader narrative. In the features I’ve written, I’ve aimed to share people’s experiences through a blend of media: photos, audio, statistics, and, of course, writing.
Soundtrack of spring: Celebrate the Music 2025
Celebrate the Music is an annual event hosted at Belmont's Twin Pines Park by SchoolForce, a non-profit organization. The event takes place throughout the entire day and features various musical performances by schools in the Belmont Redwood Shores District (BRSSD).
​
I collaborated on this multimedia package with a few others on a tight deadline, with my main responsibility being taking pictures and recording the audio of performances throughout the day. While not everything went as planned, it was a valuable experience and helped me understand composition within photography better.
Redefining the canvas: blurring the lines between vandalism and art
Graffiti is a crime—unless it’s worth millions at an auction.
For decades since its initial popularization, the public has scorned graffiti, and graffiti artists have risked arrest and fines in order to create bold, unfiltered works in public spaces. Yet, those same styles are commodified in museums and galleries. This double standard raises an essential question: can graffiti truly be considered an art form?
​
​As someone who grew up seeing graffiti everywhere, I wanted to better understand the communities it has fostered and the untold stories behind each splash of paint. In this feature, I explore how graffiti culture came to be and how it affects communities.
Adolescents face growing risk of online exploitation
As technology advances, cyber crimes have become increasingly prevalent in society. The internet connects people from various demographics, regardless of race, age, or gender. While this connectivity has revolutionized communication, it has also contributed to a problematic surge in online child exploitation.
​
This article was turned into a feature due to my broader exploration of how online child exploitation cases have affected online safety for teens. In this article, I noted the recent arrest of an online predator at the time and connected it to the importance of online safety.