Senior Alea Flores has returned to “The Rosette” Media as Co-Editor-in-Chief, armed with a pen sharper than any sword of Gideon and a pair of invisible bunny ears only she can pull off. Legend says she once marched into the newsroom like Joshua at Jericho—except instead of trumpets, she used sarcasm so sharp the walls of procrastination crumbled. Alea may come off a little mean, but much like Louise Belcher plotting world domination, it’s all fueled by loyalty, love, and maybe just a sprinkle of chaos. Between editing, reading, and planning her takeover of the literary world, Flores is also on her own journey of spiritual growth and faith, always chasing something bigger. She’s been gathering a band of friends (Uzo and Caro, her Tina and Gene) who follow her into every wild idea (sometimes willingly, sometimes dragged). This year, Alea is ready to lead her staff through the Red Seas of writer’s block and deserts of deadlines—and if you’re lucky, she might just let you join the crew. Don’t worry, she doesn’t bite… unless you give her a bad headline.
In her own world, surrounded by books
Senior Alea Flores has found belonging in reading books since childhood.
Reported by Audrianna Lopez
When no one else is left to comfort her, books will always be the first thing she turns to. Surrounded by books is where she feels most comfortable, with nothing left to bring her down. Books will always be her safe haven, a place where imagination takes over, lessons unfold, and where she feels most at home.
Senior Alea Flores didn’t always love reading. It started back in elementary school.
“I started reading because it was just kinda out there,” Flores said. “Then in middle school I took this huge break. But in 10th grade, I actually started reading, and then I started buying books. That’s when I realized I really liked it and wanted to continue.”
For Flores, books aren’t just about stories, they’re about imagination.
“I feel I’m just going into a whole other world that’s way more interesting,” Flores said. “With movies, you see everything given to you. But with books, you get to create your own world with your imagination. You decide how the scenery looks, how the characters look. It’s almost like you’re controlling your own little world in your hands.”
That “little world” is more than entertainment. It can teach real-life lessons too.
“I know this sounds crazy, but I feel there’s always a message in a book, even if it’s not educational,” Flores said. “In this most recent book I read, I felt the message was to help others when you see they need help. Don’t just stand around, be there for each other.”
Flores enjoys reading thriller and mystery books.
“My number one type of book would definitely be thriller or mystery,” Flores said. “It’s the suspense, the big plot twists, the predicting who did it. My heart’s racing and I can’t put the book down, even when I know I should already be asleep. Sometimes I close the book and stomp my feet on my bed because there’s no way that just happened. My brother comes in like, ‘Are you okay?’ and I’m just screaming into my pillow because nobody understands.”
When it comes to finding new books, Flores often judges by the cover.
“I definitely judge books by their cover,” Flores said. “If it’s not a pretty book, I don’t want it. But if it’s pretty, I’ll check the back and see what it’s about. If it’s a school-setting murder, I’m going to grab that book and buy it.”
But while she loves suspense, there are genres she stays away from.
“I can’t do history,” Flores said. “Ever since I was a kid, I was bad at it. Presidents, wars, the past, it just doesn’t interest me.”
For those hoping to build a passion for reading, Flores offers simple advice.
“Don’t force yourself to read a book you don’t like,” Flores said. “Expand your horizons. Pick different genres. If long books seem intimidating, start short. Just find whatever fits your interest.”
If she ever wrote a book herself, she knows it would have a deep meaning.
“It would probably be about superpowers, but not the basic ones,” Flores said. “Every superpower would have its weakness. My lesson would be that not everything is given to you, there’s always a disadvantage.”
For Alea, books are more than words on a page, books offer an escape, new lessons, and a fresh perspective.
“Something I enjoy about reading is you don’t know what’s going to happen next,” Flores said. “Then when it finally happens all of your emotions come out.”
Reading is more than just a hobby for Flores, it’s her favorite way to spend time.
“I feel like reading is my main hobby,” Flores said. “I don’t know what else I would be doing with all my time. Even sometimes when I’m at home and I’m scrolling on my phone, or trying to pick a movie or a TV show to watch, nothing compares to reading. Watching TV doesn’t have the same concept that reading does, it doesn’t move me the same way.”
