December 17, 2024

Settle in for a quick five questions with the Editor of Forsyth Tech’s student newspaper, Technically Speaking, Luis Fuentes! Luis is also the 2024 Pulitzer Reporting Fellow. You can see his work here.

  1. What motivated you to write this story?

This story was very personal to me. My reporting primarily occurred in neighborhoods in Lima, where I grew up, regarding migration and labor. Not only did I have a connection to the community and the people in it, but I felt that, as a migrant myself, I could relate to leaving what you love in search of a better life.

  1. Why do you think journalism is important?

Journalism is essential in keeping the public informed, power in check, and fighting against misinformation, but most importantly, journalistic storytelling lets a subject establish a human connection with a reader. Statistics are essential to understand the context surrounding a story. A journalist’s job is to humanize them.

  1. What has been your favorite class at Forsyth Tech?

My favorite classes have been Ethics and Philosophy, taught by Professor Weaver and Cannon, respectively. They, as well as the advisors for Technically Speaking, have consistently guided me in becoming a better journalist; it has been by far the most valuable learning experience I have had since becoming a student at Forsyth Tech.

  1. What has it been like to be Forsyth Tech’s 2024 Pulitzer Reporting Fellow?

The Pulitzer Reporting Fellowship has been the most fulfilling professional experience I’ve had the pleasure of participating in; I had the honor of being guided by award-winning journalists and meeting some of the most talented young journalists in the country, traveling to Lima, Peru, and Washington, DC. My experience as a foreign correspondent has allowed me to grow so much both as a journalist and a person.