SAN JOSE, CALIF.⸺ The Raider Review’s entertainment editor, Derrick Nguyen, filled the journalism class with energy that could be felt from the moon and beyond.

Nguyen’s energy is shown in class activities and podcasts, where he can express his emotions the most. Although tired like most students in the morning, Nguyen pulls through the rest of the day. “I say my energy comes from the desire to not be in a room of quiet people. That and I enjoy the attention.”

As expressive as Nguyen is now, he wasn’t always like this. Back in eighth grade, Nguyen was “silent like Jake Ha, but more silent,” Ha being a Senior at Silver Creek High School and news editor for the Raider Review. Nguyen barely passed a class because he didn’t want to present. Going into high school, Nguyen came to a realization that nobody cares and that he can just go off with his thoughts.

Funnily enough, Nguyen didn’t think he’d get selected to be an editor. When he was given that responsibility, it certainly held a lot of responsibility. At the same time, a lot of power that Nguyen used to a tee. Unfortunately, he couldn’t use the position to its full potential. In a joking manner, Nguyen responded, “I couldn’t grade my own articles, thus I couldn’t spread misinformation.”

Regarding articles, Nguyen’s personal favorite of his was about promoting the Speech Club. Nguyen said, “Giving them the recognition they deserved for their hard work standing and speaking in front of many people.” There were several articles that Nguyen wanted to write but couldn’t, including his cat, himself, John Cena, and silly misinformation. Articles that Nguyen loved and hated to edit were from Ha, Nguyen says Ha’s articles were too good to add any suggestions.

Meeting and interacting with Ha are considered the best moments in the journalism class for Nguyen, as he would praise Ha a lot and joke around with him. Ha has stated, “He is a very interesting specimen, also spontaneous, which makes things funnier.” The praises would be very detailed and in-depth to which Katie Newray, an English teacher at Silver Creek High School and Raider Review supervisor, once called him a pontificator, one who speaks in a fancy manner.

Outside of school, Nguyen loves to drive around, hang out at Target, pester Ha over text, and burn things. After graduation, San Jose State University is the school Nguyen wants to go to because he considers it affordable. Besides college, he also wants to get a part-time job and watch Oppenheimer because Robert Downey Jr. is in it.

As a senior, Nguyen claims his bones are hollow and frail, fingers easily cracking. However, he considers being a senior the best, he followed up by saying, “You don’t have to worry about being judged by seniors because you are one and the oldest in the school.” 

When it comes to Nguyen, everyone in the journalism elective this year would agree that he would be the most vocal. With the school year coming to an end, the senior who makes the D-building sound like a comedy show is someone to be highlighted, particularly one that’s from our journalism class.