To be honest, I wasn’t even supposed to be on the Journalism News staff. I was in yearbook my junior year and I wanted to take the class another year but my classes had conflicts and I couldn’t take it. I was still really passionate about Journalism and decided that I was going to join the News staff. Looking back, I’m glad it worked out as it did.

Joining the News staff brought out more confidence in me. You have to step out of your comfort zone to get the story and once you get that story, it feels great. I remember this first time working on the Friday Flash and I was so awkward in front of the camera. Although the more I did it, the more I realized it wasn’t as bad as I thought it would be. It became a fun way to get some news or story out to the students, even if it was a spoof of new channels. I eventually got comfortable interviewing students and getting their insight on a certain topic.

I accomplished so much during the year and was proud of the work I was doing. I have grown not only as a person but as a leader, which I never thought I would do. Before, I was never really the one to step up and take charge. But the time spent in the newsroom enabled me to become a better leader and made me put more effort into what I was doing. Earning the role of EIC led me to take responsibility for the staff and their trust.

In the end, I learned so much from being in this staff and I wish I could thank them all in person. To thank them for giving me the opportunity to lead and create with them. With the skills I learned, I will be able to accomplish much more beyond the newsroom.

If I could go back to that room one more time I’d tell the staff and adviser, “Thank you for giving me this opportunity, and thank you for making my last year the best it could be.”