Published June 1, 2026
BY OLIVIA FORT
What makes the CHS newsroom truly memorable aren’t just the stories and issues the staff reports each month, but the people who show up year after year, ready to listen, write and grow. This year’s graduating Sandpiper staff members—each three-year members—leave behind articles full of their voices and curiosity.
Zana Balaban
As an editor for two years, Zana has consistently gravitated toward “meaty stories” with depth and purpose, often choosing topics that required immense research and a drive to look beyond the surface of complex issues. Her reporting has ranged from federal policy impacts to student films, with a unique ability to make even parking lot construction interesting. A four-year varsity soccer and three-year flag football player, Zana also served as the captain of both teams for the last two years. This fall, she plans to attend Trinity College Dublin in Ireland to study Philosophy and Political Science. Zana’s long-term goal is to eventually work as a war correspondent, inspired by the journalists whose reporting first drew her to The Carmel Sandpiper.
Daniela Foley
As Zana, Tullah and Dani (from left) wrap up their final year on the Sandpiper staff, they leave behind a legacy of thoughtful reporting, hard work and leadership. courtesy of ZANA BALABAN, TULLAH McCOLL and DANIELA FOLEY
For Dani, the Sandpiper was where she learned to communicate with intention and develop the people skills so many don’t always get to practice. Encouraged by her freshman English teacher after discovering how much she loved writing, she joined the staff and found her niche in sports stories. Despite not being a sports expert, she understood teamwork and loved highlighting how athletes grow. As the paper’s online editor, she’s behind every Instagram and website post. President of the CHS mock trial team and a longtime participant of musical theater, Daniela is heading off to the University of San Diego, majoring in Political Science where she will also join the honors program.
Tullah McColl
Tullah entered journalism through writing, but stayed for the creativity behind the page. Tullah’s environmental focus grew naturally from classes she loved, especially AP Environmental Science, with her article on the Monterey kelp forest a kind of turning point, where she blended her interest in environmental issues with her love of storytelling. As an editor, she enjoyed collaborating closely on design with Zana. Tullah plans to study Environmental Studies at Elon University in North Carolina, continuing to explore the intersection of policy, community and the natural world.
Together, these three seniors leave behind so much more than published articles. Their pages may be printed, but their impact will continue long past this last issue, carried forward in the stories they’ve told and the standards they’ve set for the staff that follows.
