Four years ago I put my name on the sign up sheet for incoming freshmen wanting to join new clubs when high school started. I stuck my name on the list even though I wouldn’t be allowed on staff until sophomore year. For the next year I proceeded to pester Mrs. Chase for the application and I eventually ended up on the newspaper staff.
I started 10th grade with great dreams of what newspaper would be. For a year the Lions’ Roar was the only thing that kept me up to date with the activities and events happening around school. I read articles in class and showed them to my family.
I first walked into class expecting laughter and stories and life lessons and I am happy to say that is what I got. I learned from the older people in my class about taking pictures and writing articles and doing interviews.
I considered myself to be very introverted and worried about the social aspect of the class. It was through practice and the kind words of my classmates that I came out of my comfort zone. I became capable of walking up to people I don’t know and talking to them. After three years, I don’t feel afraid talking to unfamiliar people or stating my opinions.
Newspaper has been the highlight of my high school career. I have been able to walk into class everyday knowing that I would have fun and learn something new about the school or my classmates. When other things seemed boring or upsetting, I always knew that newspaper was the class I could go to in order to feel happy again.
This past year as the newspaper editor has taught me about leadership and communication and I feel the class has made me grow as a person. Newspaper has given me lessons that have made me feel incredibly prepared to move onto college and the rest of my life.
Thank you to the staff, both past and present, for being wonderful people and always making me smile. Thank you to Ms. Chase for always believing in me and being such a kind person and so fun to talk to.
The Newspaper has changed my life over the past three years and I can’t wait to see where all of the lessons take me.
