14
senior columns
GOODBYE TO
ROOM 144 PHOTOS | EMMA LAZARCZYK
ISABEL COPELAND
PHOTO| NATALIE MARTINEZ
T
he question I often get asked so many times by so many of my non-journalism friends is "Why do you keep doing it if it is overwhelming?" My simple answer: it is something I love to put so much effort into. Being on deadline and working long hours after school may not seem fun, but when I get time to just grind out some hours to see our finished project, it is truly rewarding. Freshman year I was absolutely dreading taking intro to journalism, I was too afraid to get out of my comfort zone, but it turned out to be the best thing for me. Something about it spoke to me, and I ended up becoming a writer my sophomore year. I remember sitting in the back of the class with my best friend, who was also a sophomore, and there were seven seniors in front of me. I felt intimidated by all of them, not for a moment did I ever think that I would one day be standing in their place looking at my staff of people. I never knew how much I would love walking to Room 144 to see the people I can be myself around. As a junior – the only returning staff
member of the newspaper – I was overwhelmed by what the year would bring, especially since I had taken on the role of editor-in-chief. I didn’t know that by the end of the year I would be able to call these 10 people family. Being an editor has taught me so much. I have had my moments where it has been tough, but being able to come to my staff for ideas and really just anything I needed is something that I have found soothing. As the end of my time comes on the staff I will always think of my staff in everything I do. I can stand up in front of them and talk for hours because they give me confidence, and each of them holds a special place in my heart. Out of all the years on staff, senior year has to be my favorite because of the memories I hold with these 13 people. I would like to thank my mom for telling me to take journalism freshman year because without that decision I would not be where I am today. And lastly I would like to thank Mrs. McCambridge for putting up with me and for teaching me valuable lessons, whether it be about journalism or not.
