Stories by Izaan Masud
Official Journalist Portfolio
Creative Control
Some of my favorite work.
2022 Articles
Sports discourse dehumanizes athletes
April 28th, 2022
Adam Schefter has been reporting on the NFL since 1990. After slowly rising up the ranks since then, he has become one of the most prolific sports journalists in the world, often breaking the news of important moves around the NFL. In fact, he recently signed a contract with ESPN, worth 9 million dollars, as an official NFL insider. However, when Schefter reported on the death of quarterback Dwayne Haskins, he made one of the biggest mistakes of his entire career.
Surviving the war on terror
May 13th, 2022
“At the beginning, it was like heaven forever… when the American troops and other allies came to Afghanistan, we cheered them. We were so happy… but that didn’t stay for long,” Samim said.
In contrast, retaliation was the only thing in the minds of Americans post-9/11. As a sense of fear gripped the nation, the Global War on Terror was initiated by George W. Bush, and the U.S. went all in.
The realities of firefighting in California
January 31st, 2022
Brian Cyr was 19 years old and broke, looking for a job to hold him through the summer until college reopened in the fall. He chose to be a firefighter, which he thought would be a nice, temporary job. Now 48 years old, Cyr is the Battalion Chief for the Sonoma Fire Department.
Scots Take Season 2
Scots Take Season 2 Ep. 1: A beginner’s guide to fantasy football
September 10th, 2022
In this episode, Izaan Masud breaks down how fantasy teams are drafted, how leagues are scored, and the rewards and punishments of fantasy football. At the end of the episode, I will broadcast a fantasy draft with my friend Alex who has never played fantasy football.
Scots Take Ep. 4: Poverty Franchises
November 20th, 2022
On this episode of Scots Take, host Izaan Masud and his guest Winston Singh, a senior at Carlmont, discuss the experience of being a fan of bad teams. Singh gives insight into what feeling hope in a sports team is like; a concept foreign to Masud.
Scots Take Season 2 Ep. 5: The World Cup
December 13th, 2022
To expand his knowledge of soccer, host Izaan Masud brings his guest Quinn Mansfield, a senior at Carlmont, to discuss the most underrated teams in the world cup, the controversial offsides rule, and which American athletes could play in the World Cup.
The Reel Ramble
Podcasting
'The Suicide Squad' review and 'Inglourious Basterds' discussion
September 3rd, 2021
In this episode of The Reel Ramble, Izaan Masud and Isabel Wright give their thoughts on James Gunn's new film, "The Suicide Squad."
In the second half, their guest MJ Valdes comes on the show to talk about her favorite movie, "Inglourious Basterds," directed by Quintin Tarantino.
‘Shang-Chi’ review and ‘There Will Be Blood’ discussion
September 28th, 2021
In this episode of The Reel Ramble, hosts Izaan Masud and Isabel Wright give their thoughts on the new Marvel film “Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings.”
In the second half of the episode, guest Connor Chatterjee, a junior at Bellarmine High School, comes to talk about his favorite movie, “There Will Be Blood,” directed by Paul Thomas Anderson.
“There Will Be Blood” follows Daniel Plainview and his loss of his friends, family, and humanity while trying to profit from an oil rig in California.
The Reel Ramble x Dear Dumb Diary Ep. 7: The Stranger Perks of the Mid90s
February 14th, 2022
Host of Dear Dumb Diary Anoushka Mekerira talks about the movie “The Perks of Being a Wallflower,” based on the book of the same name. The host of The Reel Ramble Isabel Wright speaks on “Mid90s” and how it changed her life. Finally, the other host of The Reel Ramble Izaan Masud discusses the hit show “Stranger Things.”
Scots' Take Season One
Past. Present. Future.
Scot’s Take Ep. 2: Super Bowl predictions versus reality
February 11th, 2021
In this episode of Scot’s Take, host Izaan Masud and Atharva Ahbyankar, a sophomore, and fan of the Buccanneers, chat about their predictions of the Super Bowl, and later discuss the true outcome of the game and analyze the results.
Scot’s Take Ep. 4: NFL free agency
April 8th, 2021
NFL free agency is well underway and the power balance of the league has shifted drastically. Many teams have gone from mediocre to serious contenders, while others have many questions to answer. So which teams are looking the best now? In this episode of Scot’s Take, host Izaan Masud and sophomore Misal Bhala answer just that.
Sports Beats
Past. Present. Future.
Delayed football season impacts players and fans
November 3rd, 2020
High school football is a staple at Carlmont, with packed crowds always filling games and the Screamin' Scots radiating school spirit from the stands. The impacts of canceling an activity so central to Carlmont’s culture are widespread. This year, there will be no annual homecoming game, no associated parade, and no dance.
Water polo adapts to an age of social distancing
November 18th, 2020
Water polo is a team sport.
Not only that, but it is an intrinsically physical sport. Players face off, compete for zones, attack, and defend small sections of the pool. All of this requires coordination with teammates, refined technique, and peak physical fitness. However, these principles come into direct conflict with social distancing guidelines.
As a result, players and coaches of the Carlmont water polo program have had to adapt.
Boys tennis swings back into action after last season’s abrupt end
December 8th, 2020
This is a great place to showcase a sample of your written work or write a short description about your project. Did you collaborate on a print or multimedia project? If so, dazzle your visitors with images and video. Make sure to include a link to the full live project or document so readers can enjoy the entire piece.
An exploration of the increasing divide within American Politics
Significance
This was my first ever feature and I wanted to tackle an important issue in America. As someone who has been interested in current events since a young age, it has always been obvious that the discourse around politics has always been divisive, by race, sex, and class. In this feature, I wanted to explore this topic, and explore the different sides of American Politics.
Career Milestones
July 2019 - Today
BGCP Volunteer
I worked with the Boys and Girls Club of the Peninsula as an assistant teacher during the summer of 2019. I was the youngest volunteer. I am returning for the 2021 summer and hopefully beyond that.
September 2020-December 2020
Sports Beat Writer
This is a concise description of your previous work experience and the responsibilities you had. The most effective portfolios give a clear snapshot of where you’re coming from and where you’re going in a way that’s easy for readers to scan and absorb quickly.
January 2021-May 2021
Scots' Take
During the second semester of the 2020-2021 school year, I began my sports podcast "Scots' Take" where I discussed current events in the 4 major American sports with a guest. I plan to continue the podcast to this day.
September 2021-May 2022
The Reel Ramble
During my first semester of junior year, I partnered with Isabel Wright to make the movie podcast "The Reel Ramble". The show has won 4 awards and season 2 will begin in 2022.
Awards
4 episodes won Best of SNO's and second place award for best radio prepared report for the California Women's Press.
Best of SNO winning article.
Best of SNO winning article.
I earned a spot on the NSPA national journalism honor roll for the 2021-2022 school year.
The story "The realities of firefighting" won the Best Feature story award from Santa Clara University.
Best of SNO winning article
My Life
Melt My Eyez
I am from Fairfax, Virginia, and I moved to the Bay Area when I was 6 years old. I am a Senior at Carlmont High School and a podcast producer for Scot Scoop. I will be attending NYU CAS and love discussing history, pop culture, music, movies, and especially sports. I love skiing with my friends, and I feel at home in the winter. I also do community service such as book drives and tutoring.
I have been reading the news since I was a kid and was especially interested in sports articles about my favorite teams. I have won 6 Best of Sno awards with Scot Scoop. I want to learn what it is like to be a part of the journalism process and write my own articles with Scot Scoop, and record my own podcasts, like "Scots' Take" and "The Reel Ramble".
My favorite movie is Spiderman: Into the Spiderverse. My favorite teams are the Washington Football Team and the Brooklyn Nets. I don't have a favorite album, but one of my favorites is Melt My Eyez See your Future, which is also one of my favorite album titles.