Standing in line at prep days my freshman year, I found myself in a predicament: A conflicting schedule. At that point in my life, I had my eyes set on becoming a New York Times’ Bestselling author so I was scheduled to take creative writing, However, an AP class I wanted to take was also during the same period. So, because of my desire to get college credit, I dropped creative writing, took the AP course instead, and was given my second elective choice: Journalism.This is why I find it hard to believe, after all these years, that I almost wasn’t a journalism kid. When I look back at the past four years, it seems totally crazy to me. But journalism completely changed my life. I would not be the person I am today if I had not taken journalism. I know how cliche that sounds, but it’s completely true. I know for a fat fact that my life would be insanely different if I had never taken journalism.
Once I started the class my freshman year, my goal was to one day be the editor in chief of our newspaper. And I’m proud to say that I achieved my goal. I’ve met so many great people along the way as well and created amazing memories with them that I will cherish forever.
A few of the notable ones are as follows:
My sophomore year, when a classmate stuck our former sports editor’s plastic pumpkins in the ceiling when she was gone one day.They’re still in the ceiling actually. We never found them. Another time that year, two of my classmates started using scissors on another one of our classmates’ hair. Let’s just say that our teacher walked in at the wrong time and we had the scissors confiscated from us for the rest of the year. (But did that really stop us though? The answer is no, it did not).
My junior year, one of our former editor-in-chief’s let me ride on top of the cart we use to deliver papers and pushed me down the sidewalk near the courtyard. I almost hit a rock and flew off from top of the cart. It was still really fun though. 10/10 recommend. And then there was the time we made recruitment videos and me and my best friend got to dress up in the mascot costumes.That was great and something I probably wouldn’t have been able to do either, so it makes me happy that it did happen. But honestly, the highlight of junior year would have to be placing 2nd in Feature Writing and placing 3rd in News Writing at the same practice UIL event. Now that, was awesome.
Now, finally, this year. My senior year. I knew it was going to be a great year when my editors and I began planning over the summer for the upcoming year. Yeah, it was early (8 am to be exact) but it was totally worth it.We forged a bond between us that I will cherish for years to come. Another memory I have from this year is when during a work night, our yearbook EIC chugged down at least a quarter of a liter bottle of Dr. Pepper and we all caught it on video.We also made another recruitment video this year as well. This time I got to be blindfolded (yes, it was Birdbox themed) and walked around campus, bumping into stuff. I also got to sit in a little innertube in a kiddie pool, using a racket as an oar, in 40-degree weather, all while blindfolded. I was freezing my butt off. Literally.Then, there was the time when my feature editor, Sally, pushed me around the room so I could act like a caterpillar, like one of the former editors from waaay back. Like, 2003 way back. (Shoutout to Lindsey Ludwig!) Another memory is when me and Sytha were being pushed along the cart while we were delivering newspapers and we rode along the back portable road before heading into J building where I sat on the top of the cart, handing out newspapers to people we passed along the way to the journalism room. But another highlight from this year would have to be that I made it all the way to State for UIL.That was the farthest I’ve ever gone and I am extremely proud of myself.
In addition to all the memories I’ve made, I’d also like to thank multiple people who have supported me throughout my time
in newspaper. I’d like to say thank you to Beckwith and Weber, for always reading the newspaper and helping me realize that even if so many people tell me that I can’t become a journalist because it’s too hard, to just keep trying because then newspapers will have to hire me. Much thanks to Mrs. Stevens as well for helping me out whenever I had deadlines by being super understanding whenever I had to leave class early. I don’t know what I’d do without her. Probably die of stress but it’s all good now. I’d also like to thank Davern (aka T-Dog) for letting me rant to him whenever I was stressed about the paper, supporting the paper and articles in general, and giving me the encouragement that I can definitely make it in the world of journalism. Oh, and thanks for the glow-sticks too. But for real, thanks for everything Davern. Don’t tell Scott this, but you’re tied with her for my favorite teacher ever.
And now, I’ve saved the best for last. There are no words I can use that would be able to fully capture my gratitude and love for you Scott. You’ve been the best teacher ever these past four years that I’ve had with you.You’re like a second mom to me and I wouldn’t want it any other way.Thanks for believing in me and pushing me to be the best journalist that I can be.Thank you for having my back, not giving up on me and supporting me through everything. I honestly have no idea what my life would have turned out if you had never been my teacher. I inwardly shudder at that thought if I’m gonna be perfectly honest. But seriously, thanks for everything you have done, not just for me, but for our journalism program. It means a lot.
Next, I need to thank some more awesome people in my life. To my editors, Sytha, Sally, Faith and Joseph, I love y’all 3000. Thanks for sticking with me and dealing with me. Y’all are absolutely the best people ever. I’m so lucky to have y’all as my editors and as friends.This year was awesome having every one of you by my side as we ran the paper.
I know that y’all always had my back no matter what and that we’d all stick together through thick and thin. I am going to miss all of you guys once we have to part ways. I know I’m never going to forget the times we shared and I want y’all to know that if you ever need me any time, I’m always here.
This is way too bittersweet. But it’s fine, totally fine. I’m not crying or anything lol. I’m as cool as a cucumber. But anyway, I hate goodbyes, so this isn’t gonna be a goodbye. It’s more like a ‘see you later’ type of deal. So, see you later OC. I guess. Or maybe just the journalism program.Yeah, that seems more fitting.
Senior Quote: “Mashed potatoes is when you mash people’s toes and you eat them -Sytha”