As senior year has passed by, it has seemed simultaneously the longest and quickest year of high school so far, which is kind of surprising. So much has changed since freshman year. Friends have come and gone, my interests have switched, and my perspective on so many things has shifted. I am grateful for all of this change, as I have found that it is essential for growth. You can’t get anywhere by standing in the same place. However, I am also thankful for all the small things that have consistently stayed the same. The route I have walked for the past four years to get to school, seeing the same dogs being walked, and the same trees blooming and losing their leaves with the seasons is a comfort to see on my long walks to school. Seeing familiar faces of friends and teachers in the hallways is a great way to brighten up any day. With all the change, I am able to appreciate the small things in my life that have stayed with me.

This year I joined Newspaper for the first time, based on a friend’s recommendation. And I’ve gained many memories, experiences, and skills throughout the year so far. I’ve explored more in Portland and tried new places to eat, seen wonderful exhibits, and gone to events I never thought of attending. I went to New York City, a place I’ve never been before and thought it wouldn’t be realistic to go there. I learned how to take and edit photos to make them look more professional and cohesive. I experienced the difficult learning curve of InDesign and learned how to create pages on my own that I can say I’m proud of. 

And of course, all of this couldn’t be possible without the people that contribute to the smooth running (most of the time) system that makes up the Newspaper class. A mix of juniors and seniors let me meet new people and become closer to those that I already knew. And Sb has been a great advisor, answering any questions and being a helping hand. Everyone comes together to create the publications the school sees, with more going on behind the scenes than one would think. It’s been fun!