Siomara “Alfred” Valdez is a recent graduate of Palatine (Ill.) High School and very passionate about photography. Valdez went out of his comfort zone to take on new opportunities in photography, tagging alongside the varsity basketball team as it went to State for the first time. He dreams of taking photos for bands such as Pearl Jam, Foo Fighters, and Shinedown. One of his biggest accomplishments is placing first in the IHSA Photo-Storytelling Journalism Sectionals and third at State. Valdez will be pursuing photojournalism at Winona State University in the fall. (July 2024)