2024-2026 Board Members
President Adriana Chavira, Daniel Pearl Magnet High School: [email protected]
Adriana Chavira is a high school journalism teacher and advises The Pearl Post and newsmagazine as well as Prestige Yearbook at Daniel Pearl Magnet High School in Los Angeles. Before becoming a teacher over 20 years ago, Adriana spent a decade as a newspaper reporter in Southern California. She is a Student Press Law Center board member, Academic Officer for the National Association of Hispanic Journalists and serves as a mentor for the Journalism Education Association. She holds a bachelor’s degree in journalism and a master’s degree in English Education from Cal State Northridge. She is also a National Board Certified Teacher. Adriana was named a Columbia Scholastic Press Association Distinguished Adviser in March 2023 and received the Jack Bates Award in December 2022 from the California Press Foundation for distinguished service to the student press.
Adriana Chavira is a high school journalism teacher and advises The Pearl Post and newsmagazine as well as Prestige Yearbook at Daniel Pearl Magnet High School in Los Angeles. Before becoming a teacher over 20 years ago, Adriana spent a decade as a newspaper reporter in Southern California. She is a Student Press Law Center board member, Academic Officer for the National Association of Hispanic Journalists and serves as a mentor for the Journalism Education Association. She holds a bachelor’s degree in journalism and a master’s degree in English Education from Cal State Northridge. She is also a National Board Certified Teacher. Adriana was named a Columbia Scholastic Press Association Distinguished Adviser in March 2023 and received the Jack Bates Award in December 2022 from the California Press Foundation for distinguished service to the student press.
Vice President Veronica Grammier, Portola High School: [email protected]
Veronica Grammier is excited to serve as SCJEA vice president. She is a proud Titan and Anteater with a Bachelor of Arts in History from California State University Fullerton and a Master of Arts in Teaching Social Studies from University of California Irvine where she also received credentials in Social Science and English. She currently teached American history and advanced journalism at Portola High School in Irvine. While at Portola, she has served as the American history level lead for the last three years and is now in her second year as the newspaper adviser for The Portola Pilot, an award-winning newspaper.
Veronica Grammier is excited to serve as SCJEA vice president. She is a proud Titan and Anteater with a Bachelor of Arts in History from California State University Fullerton and a Master of Arts in Teaching Social Studies from University of California Irvine where she also received credentials in Social Science and English. She currently teached American history and advanced journalism at Portola High School in Irvine. While at Portola, she has served as the American history level lead for the last three years and is now in her second year as the newspaper adviser for The Portola Pilot, an award-winning newspaper.
Secretary Jessica Young, Escondido High School: [email protected]
Jessica Young has been a teacher at Orange Glen for 17 years. Young has taught yearbook, journalism, photography, video production, graphic design and English. She has also coached volleyball and advised a variety of student clubs. She earned her Bachelor’s Degree in Journalism and Anthropology from San Diego State University and her Master’s Degree in Education from UC San Diego. She is a Master Journalism Educator, through Kent State's certification program. She currently serves as the Vice President and Communications Chair for the Escondido Secondary Teachers' Association. Young is the President of the San Diego Journalism Education Association and served on the Board of Directors and Board of Trustees for the Quill and Scroll International Journalism Honor Society. She was recognized as a “Rising Star” by the Journalism Education Association in 2012. Her students’ publications are frequently featured in the Best of Show, Best of the High School Press and the Walsworth Idea File and Gallery of Excellence. Young shares her home with her husband, Chris, and two rescue dogs--Juno & Wrigley.
Jessica Young has been a teacher at Orange Glen for 17 years. Young has taught yearbook, journalism, photography, video production, graphic design and English. She has also coached volleyball and advised a variety of student clubs. She earned her Bachelor’s Degree in Journalism and Anthropology from San Diego State University and her Master’s Degree in Education from UC San Diego. She is a Master Journalism Educator, through Kent State's certification program. She currently serves as the Vice President and Communications Chair for the Escondido Secondary Teachers' Association. Young is the President of the San Diego Journalism Education Association and served on the Board of Directors and Board of Trustees for the Quill and Scroll International Journalism Honor Society. She was recognized as a “Rising Star” by the Journalism Education Association in 2012. Her students’ publications are frequently featured in the Best of Show, Best of the High School Press and the Walsworth Idea File and Gallery of Excellence. Young shares her home with her husband, Chris, and two rescue dogs--Juno & Wrigley.
Treasurer Gaby Doyle, Retired: [email protected]
Currently serving as Treasurer, Gaby Doyle is also SoCalJEA’s most recent Past President, in addition to serving as Vice President and Webmaster. She taught high school journalism (newspaper, website and yearbook) and English for 15 years in two different districts before leaving the classroom in 2022. A design nerd and First Amendment supporter, Doyle is happy to continue to serve the scholastic journalism community.
Currently serving as Treasurer, Gaby Doyle is also SoCalJEA’s most recent Past President, in addition to serving as Vice President and Webmaster. She taught high school journalism (newspaper, website and yearbook) and English for 15 years in two different districts before leaving the classroom in 2022. A design nerd and First Amendment supporter, Doyle is happy to continue to serve the scholastic journalism community.
East LA Representative So Hee Tan, Walnut High School: [email protected]
So Hee Tan is in her 13th year advising the newspaper and yearbook at Walnut High School. Both publications have earned national awards and in 2024, So Hee was named one of the Special Recognition Advisers by CSPA. This is her first year serving as the East Los Angeles rep for SoCalJEA. As an advocate for student growth opportunities outside the classroom, So Hee hopes to help more advisers and schools get involved and participate in what their local and state JEA chapters provide. She is a Certified Journalism Educator.
So Hee Tan is in her 13th year advising the newspaper and yearbook at Walnut High School. Both publications have earned national awards and in 2024, So Hee was named one of the Special Recognition Advisers by CSPA. This is her first year serving as the East Los Angeles rep for SoCalJEA. As an advocate for student growth opportunities outside the classroom, So Hee hopes to help more advisers and schools get involved and participate in what their local and state JEA chapters provide. She is a Certified Journalism Educator.
Orange County Representative Tommy Li, Sunny Hills High School: [email protected]
Tommy Li was first hired as The Accolade adviser in the 2001-2002 school year at Sunny Hills High School in Fullerton. Li guided his staff to win first place in local and state journalism write-off contests, Best High School Newspaper awards from the Los Angeles Press Club's Southern California Journalism Awards contest and earned national recognition with Pacemakers from the National Scholastic Press Association. Before becoming a teacher, Li earned his bachelor's degree in print journalism and English from the University of Southern California. He worked as a reporter for The San Bernardino Sun newspaper and freelancer for the Los Angeles Times.
Tommy Li was first hired as The Accolade adviser in the 2001-2002 school year at Sunny Hills High School in Fullerton. Li guided his staff to win first place in local and state journalism write-off contests, Best High School Newspaper awards from the Los Angeles Press Club's Southern California Journalism Awards contest and earned national recognition with Pacemakers from the National Scholastic Press Association. Before becoming a teacher, Li earned his bachelor's degree in print journalism and English from the University of Southern California. He worked as a reporter for The San Bernardino Sun newspaper and freelancer for the Los Angeles Times.
North LA Representative Ron Goins, Van Nuys High School: [email protected]
Representing Los Angeles North Region (LAJTA) for the third year, Ron Goins is the journalism adviser for the Van Nuys High School Mirror, as well as vnhsmirror.com. The publications and student staff members are consistently recognized by state and national organizations for journalistic excellence. Before teaching, he worked at the San Antonino Light, Houston Chronicle and Los Angeles Daily News. He was also the Creative Director and Editorial Director for The Advocate newsmagazine.
Representing Los Angeles North Region (LAJTA) for the third year, Ron Goins is the journalism adviser for the Van Nuys High School Mirror, as well as vnhsmirror.com. The publications and student staff members are consistently recognized by state and national organizations for journalistic excellence. Before teaching, he worked at the San Antonino Light, Houston Chronicle and Los Angeles Daily News. He was also the Creative Director and Editorial Director for The Advocate newsmagazine.
San Diego Representative Michelle Vescio Evenson, Esq., Coronado High School:
[email protected]
Michelle Vescio Evenson is the Journalism and Digital Media Arts Educator at Coronado High School of the Arts where she advises Yearbook and TV Broadcast. She is a certified Mentor Journalism Educator and has a long history of advising student publications. Evenson also coaches Mock Trial.
[email protected]
Michelle Vescio Evenson is the Journalism and Digital Media Arts Educator at Coronado High School of the Arts where she advises Yearbook and TV Broadcast. She is a certified Mentor Journalism Educator and has a long history of advising student publications. Evenson also coaches Mock Trial.
College Liaison Gary Metzker, Cal State Long Beach: [email protected]
Gary Metzker has been a full-time lecturer at Cal State Long Beach since 2008 and serves as design adviser for the Daily Current and DIG Magazine. Metzker worked at newspapers in Delaware, Missouri, Florida and California. For almost 25 years, he worked at the Los Angeles Times as sports news editor, metro news editor, A1 editor and senior editor. During that time, Metzker was a part of four Pulitzer Prize-winning staff awards for breaking news and spot news. Metzker has also been awarded seven Los Angeles Press Club awards and two Medals of Excellence from the Society for News Design. The California Journalism Education Coalition named him 2013 Journalism Educator of the Year. In 2019, he was awarded the Jolene Combs Spirit Award by the California Journalism and Media Affiliates. Metzker received his bachelor’s degree in journalism degree from the University of Missouri and his master’s degree in communications from California State University, Fullerton.
Gary Metzker has been a full-time lecturer at Cal State Long Beach since 2008 and serves as design adviser for the Daily Current and DIG Magazine. Metzker worked at newspapers in Delaware, Missouri, Florida and California. For almost 25 years, he worked at the Los Angeles Times as sports news editor, metro news editor, A1 editor and senior editor. During that time, Metzker was a part of four Pulitzer Prize-winning staff awards for breaking news and spot news. Metzker has also been awarded seven Los Angeles Press Club awards and two Medals of Excellence from the Society for News Design. The California Journalism Education Coalition named him 2013 Journalism Educator of the Year. In 2019, he was awarded the Jolene Combs Spirit Award by the California Journalism and Media Affiliates. Metzker received his bachelor’s degree in journalism degree from the University of Missouri and his master’s degree in communications from California State University, Fullerton.
Webmaster & Social Media Editor Daniel Langhorne, Sage Hill School: [email protected]
Daniel Langhorne joined Sage Hill School in 2022 as the Communications & Website Manager. He also serves as Adviser to The Bolt. Langhorne previously worked at The Laguna Beach Independent, where he was executive editor since 2020. He has over 12 years of experience as a reporter and editor for publications including Orange County Register, Los Angeles Times, The Christian Science Monitor, Daily Pilot, Military.com and The War Horse. Langhorne is a former member of the Orange County Press Club Board of Directors and served as its president from 2021 to 2023. He earned bachelor’s degrees in English and Political Science from Chapman University.
Daniel Langhorne joined Sage Hill School in 2022 as the Communications & Website Manager. He also serves as Adviser to The Bolt. Langhorne previously worked at The Laguna Beach Independent, where he was executive editor since 2020. He has over 12 years of experience as a reporter and editor for publications including Orange County Register, Los Angeles Times, The Christian Science Monitor, Daily Pilot, Military.com and The War Horse. Langhorne is a former member of the Orange County Press Club Board of Directors and served as its president from 2021 to 2023. He earned bachelor’s degrees in English and Political Science from Chapman University.
Inland Empire Representative, South West LA Representative, Tri-Counties Representative and Membership Coordinator: Vacant--please contact us at [email protected] if interested