Eli Navarro’s Next Big Play: Leading Multimedia Class as Editor in Chief
By PEYTON WALTER
The Tower
From the soccer field to the newsroom, Eli Navarro is taking the lead at Manteca High.
After two years in the multimedia class, the junior has been picked as editor in chief for next school year. Guided by his soccer coach and media teacher, James Burns, and fueled by a mix of technical skills and natural leadership, he’s ready to take on a bigger role in the class during his Senior year.
“I already have a pretty big role now, but I think being able to be a leader and help new people will make me better in the class,” Navarro said.
Navarro was made captain of the soccer team his junior year; he’s had a hand in almost every major project in multimedia and helped win two trophies at Delta College’s annual film festival.
“Usually, you pick your editor in chief out of your top returning students and the ones that understand the standard and expectations of the program so it was an easy choice with Eli because there aren’t a lot of kids coming back next year so we will have a whole new cast,” Burns said.
“What I appreciate about Eli is the leadership skills he possesses and the ability to work well with all different types of people. If we’re bringing in a whole new group of students, he’s good at connecting with all those students and leading them in the right way that will help us maintain the standard and keep up with the projects that we normally do.”
Navarro will succeed Raclif Figueroa and Connor Navarro, the last two seniors to lead the BuffTV media program. Burns looks forward to Eli Navarro guiding the program in a new direction with his own personal style.
“I think the editor in chief role has changed every year that we’ve had it and I think it’s kind of reflective of who’s sitting in that chair,” Burns said. “I envision Eli being more hands on and running the classroom. I want to get to a point where he’s really conducting his own meeting and working with leadership that we’ve appointed in the classroom and really just being in control of all the projects.”
The Tower interviewed Navarro about the new position he’s taking on next year and his thoughts about it.
The Tower: What made you get into multimedia?
Eli Navarro: Freshmen year, I didn’t really do much with school, Burns was my soccer coach, and I saw all the fun things they were doing in multimedia so as soon as I joined it felt like a community. Burns played a huge role in me going into multimedia but also seeing all the creative stuff they do around campus persuaded me to join.
TT: Describe your relationship with Mr. Burns and the class
EN: I feel like Burns and I have a pretty special relationship on campus especially since we come from a soccer background but also in school with him being my teacher and coach for school and club. It’s really nice to always have him around. We have the same mindset on a lot of things in class, and I always understand what he wants, so I’m able to produce things for him. Being in the class has made me better at my storytelling and seeing Burns as both my coach and as my teacher has definitely strengthened our relationship.
TT: What makes you a good choice to be editor in chief?
EN: The fact that I’ve been in multimedia for 2 years and next year will be my third, I’ll be the most experienced in the class. I’m also just very technical and a fast learner. I have a natural leadership to me; I was captain of the soccer team, and Burns can even testify that I have natural leadership.
TT: What responsibilities come with that position?
EN: Next year we want to run it like a media outlet. We want to have a social media team, a buff tv team, a collaboration team, and then they all report to me. I’m like the head of the teams. Making sure everything is up to standard, and I think everyone can do what Burns wants; you just have to be willing to work.
TT: What’re you looking forward to?
EN: I’m looking forward to having a bigger role in Multimedia. I already have a pretty big role now, but I think being able to be a leader in the class and help new people will make me better in the class.
TT: Do you feel any pressure?
EN: I don’t think there’s as much pressure on me now since I know what I’m capable of doing, and I’m not a nervous person anymore. I’m more confident in the class and I know I can run stuff to higher standards than last year's team.