Spartanburg High School (SHS) is home to thousands of unique students. Whether they’re athletes, artists, entrepreneurs or simply dedicated students, their creativity, ingenuity and ideas are what make this school so special.
One of these paths that students have dove into is the field of photography. Some help photograph for the school’s publications programs, including the SAGA yearbook, Viking News TV and Norse News, while others do independent work for SHS sports teams. Some do a combination of both. All the student photographers at Spartan High have a special talent, though, and should be recognized for the work they do.
Norse News and the SAGA yearbook could not be possible without the help of student photographers. This year, five photographers are key in operating both programs. These students are Belinda Zuniga-Ruiz (12), Patience Colon (11), Joshua Cato (11), Kenny Le (11) and Maleena Keut (11).
The work of these students brings these publications to life by providing unique photos of students, teachers and all-around life and activity at SHS. Students will even put in extra work at after-school events, including sports games, to capture moments and students to share with the school.
Le started doing photography during his sophomore year and hopes to use his work to elevate his future education and career.
“Photography is fun to me because I get to spread my work around in hopes of getting into a nice, reputable college,” Le said.
Student photographers may also work with Viking News TV at Spartan High. Viking News TV is a video report program that highlights special moments and people in both the school and the Spartanburg community. Photographers like Wilson Moreno (12) assist with getting clips and creative shots for their videos.
Moreno also does photography on his own, though. He began his journey in September of 2024 and ever since has grown into an outstanding sports photographer. He’s gained a big following and has connected with many Vikings sports teams. Moreno has even been a main photographer in major media day shoots for both boys lacrosse and football this school year. One can find his work on Instagram at @wphotos08.
Ligon Martin (11) can also be found on the field snapping shots for the Vikings. Martin first got involved with photography during his freshman year and has gotten better and better each year. He is the official videographer and photographer for the SHS boys lacrosse team, traveling with the team and getting pristine action shots, but he also takes pictures for multiple SHS spring sports, other sports programs and outside-of-school shoots. Martin’s work can be found on Instagram at @martin_photography_08.
Martin enjoys being a photographer at Spartan High because of the many friends he’s made with athletes and other photographers, but also because of the amount of support the school provides.
“[Athletic Director Todd Staley and Principal McMillan] have both been incredibly supportive of student photographers, always making sure we have access and opportunities to grow,” Martin said.
One final student photographer that has burst onto the scene is sophomore Maylin Rojo. She officially began posting her work online in March of 2025, but she has always had a passion for photography.
Rojo loves photography because she gets to encapsulate special people, moments and emotions all on camera.
“I enjoy catching people’s moments, and I enjoy seeing the people I shoot for express their gratitude and excitement for their pictures,” Rojo said. “The actions, expressions and energy – I love it all. I love capturing raw, honest emotions to tell a story.”
Over the years, she has upgraded her equipment, along with improving her skills and editing, to now having a wide base of supporters and clientele. Rojo takes pictures for many SHS sports teams, including both soccer teams, but she also has her own website and business for other types of photography and shoots. Her website can be found at shotzbyrm.mypixieset.com, and her Instagram is @shotzbyrm.
Student photographers have a special talent of capturing this constant, fast-moving world on camera, and they share this gift with all.
