12/07/2026
FEATURE | Roots, Words, and Change: How Two Volunteers Shaped a Generation of Journalism
“How can we use our journalism skills to enact positive environmental change?”
For 43 student journalists of Batan Academy (A National School), this question is more than just a workshop theme—it became a challenge to see journalism as a force that can transform communities.
On a rainy Saturday, July 11, 2026, the halls of Batan Academy echoed not only with the voices of aspiring writers but with a renewed sense of purpose as student journalists gathered for the Environmental Journalism Workshop, an initiative designed to merge the power of journalism with the urgency of environmental action.
Behind this meaningful endeavor were two individuals who believed that journalism could become a bridge between knowledge and change: Maxine Reyes and Bri Forté, two Peace Corps volunteers whose shared passion created an opportunity that extended beyond the classroom.
For Maxine Reyes, a Summa Cum Laude graduate with a major in English Literature, the workshop was more than a final project—it was a legacy she wanted to leave before concluding her two-year service as a volunteer teacher at Batan Academy.
As her time in the school came closer to an end, Reyes searched for a way to create something that would continue to benefit the students even after her departure. She approached Ma’am Nadine Bautista, a Senior High School teacher and adviser of The Owl Publication, to ask what kind of project could make a lasting impact in the Batan Academy community.
In Maxine’s heart, she already knew where she wanted to contribute.
She saw journalism as one of the strongest English extracurricular activities in Batan, a space where students could use their voices to tell stories that mattered.
And from that simple conversation, an idea began to take shape.
However, transforming that vision into reality required another perspective—one that could connect journalism with environmental awareness. For the first time, Maxine decided to collaborate with another Peace Corps volunteer, reaching out to her friend Bri Forté.
Bri, who holds an undergraduate degree in Bachelor of Science in Marine Biology, brought a deep understanding of the natural world and environmental issues. Meanwhile, Maxine brought her expertise in language, communication, and teaching. Together, they combined their strengths to create a learning experience where science and storytelling met.
Their partnership was unexpected, even for themselves.
Although both were Peace Corps volunteers, Maxine and Bri did not immediately become close during their three-month initial training in Bataan—Maxine was assigned in Bagac while Bri trained in Morong. Their friendship only began to grow when they were both assigned in Aklan, serving in different municipalities but eventually finding common ground through their shared mission.
What started as friendship became collaboration. What started as an idea became a change.
For Bri Forté, witnessing 43 students attend the workshop despite the rainy weather was a moment that exceeded her expectations.
She was impressed not only by the number of students who showed up but also by their dedication, attentiveness, and willingness to learn.
For her, the passion displayed by the young journalists proved that the future of environmental journalism is in good hands.
She hopes that the Journalism Club of Batan Academy will continue pursuing their passion, discovering meaningful stories, and using their voices to create awareness about issues that affect the world around them.
Meanwhile, Maxine expressed her admiration for the student journalists she worked with. She shared that she wishes she could meet the future journalists of Batan Academy because the current generation has shown qualities she deeply values—their talent, dedication, and genuine commitment to their craft.
Her message to them carries the words she has always held close, a phrase often told to her by her parents:
“Kaya mo yan.”
Simple, yet powerful, the phrase reflects the confidence she has in the young journalists of Batan Academy—that they have the ability to overcome challenges, inspire others, and continue creating meaningful stories.
The Environmental Journalism Workshop was not merely an event held for a single day. It was a reminder that journalism is not limited to reporting what happens; it is about understanding what matters and inspiring people to act.
Through the partnership of Maxine Reyes and Bri Forté, the student journalists of Batan Academy discovered that their pens, voices, and stories hold the power to influence change.
Because sometimes, the greatest stories are not only written about the world—they are written to help save it.
