Reporter Starts Next Phase of His Life

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Chaz Plager with his parents as he starts college.

I never pictured myself saying this, but three years of articles later, this will likely be my last in official capacity as Junior Reporter for Circling the News. It has been an honor to work with the wonderful Sue Pascoe all this time, and I find it very difficult to put into writing how grateful I am for this incredible opportunity she’s granted me. Still, I suppose I’ll try.

When I wrote my first article for Circling the News, I had next to no confidence in myself or any of my skills. The Pali High color guard, which I was a member of at the time, was highly lacking in funding, and I reached out to Sue with the hopes of writing a piece on the issue. I found it very hard to believe that what I wrote would be any good or have any of the impact I hoped it would. And yet I still wrote it. Perhaps I had a lot more wishful thinking, rather than confidence.

In response to my article, the American Legion donated $1500 to the color guard, ensuring it would last the year. To have my efforts be rewarded was an incredible, but altogether unfamiliar experience. In hopes of experiencing it once again, I proposed to Sue that I continue to write. That marked the beginning of my journey with Circling the News, and it has been truly remarkable in every respect. I have met with several notable people, seen parts of California I’ve never seen before, gotten thrown out of a public park on Easter Sunday, eaten excellent food, and given back to my community in ways I didn’t expect I would ever be able to.

If there is one lesson I would like all who have graciously read my articles to take with them, it is that it is always possible to pursue your passions. If there is something you wish you could do, it is not a matter of “if”, but “when” and “how”. Years ago I spent my time wallowing in self-pity: never again, I swore to myself.

I would also like to extend my thanks to Rich Schmitt, who provides the wonderful photos you see next to most of my articles. They wouldn’t be the same without his amazing work. And finally, I thank each and every person who has read and responded to my articles over the last few years.  You’re all truly wonderful.

I will be continuing to hone my skills at UC San Diego, where I plan to keep up my journalistic efforts. Many famous individuals have taken up residence in the Palisades, and I hope to join their ranks. In the meantime, in case I don’t see you— good morning, good afternoon, good evening, and good night!

(Editor’s note: I first met Chaz Plager when he was an eighth grader at Revere Middle School. He was on the school newspaper and wrote an incredibly “smart” and “well-disguised” quip that went undetected until the paper came out. It was exceptionally clever and I mentioned to his dad, who was in a spinning class with me that if Chaz ever wanted to write for Circling the News to let me know. He penned his first piece in 2020 and wrote about how it was for kids isolated in their homes dealing with Covid.

He is smart, writes pieces that require little editing, and no matter what topic I threw at him, he took on the story, everything from the Nike Missile Site, to interviewing local musician Matty Gottsman, to HO!HO!HO! to reports from Japan, to Palisades High School stories from graduation to music, to food reviews. He also suggested topics, that I wasn’t aware of, such as Anime. Over the three years he wrote more than 80 stories, while taking a full class load at PaliHi, including APs.

Chaz was a pleasure to work with and took suggestions and editing and incorporated it into his writing. Dr. Seuss wrote “Oh the Place You Will Go. . .” and I will eagerly wait and watch to see Chaz’s path as he starts the next phase of his life – and the places he goes.)

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