10
JOURNALISM SENIORS
Jane Gormley, Editor in Chief
While I think getting to work with Twombley everyday is enough of a reason to take journalism, I’d like to use this space to shamelessly promote this amazing class. Most people on staff, myself included, wish they’d signed up earlier. You learn to write good emails, express your ideas concisely, and find the story in almost anything. The life lessons and people skills you learn from the class are invaluable. Journalism attracts big personalities and learning to deal with those has been one of the most important skills I’ve gained in high school. Being the interviewer is great practice for being the interviewee and the freedom you get to pursue your interests help you find out what they actually are. Plus, you get to write the April Fools Issue. But I think most importantly, when you join journalism, you become a part of a family. It’s the most random groups of people I’ve ever been a part of, but seeing friendships form between grades, personalities, and instagram aesthetics this year and knowing that journalism is what made them happen, makes me so proud of what this class has become. Knowing that I’ve helped create a space that freshman me would be comfortable to be herself in is one of my proudest accomplishments in high school. If after all this, journalism still doesn’t sound like your thing, I’m only a little hurt. I just leave you with two pieces of advice: Find the activity that makes you into the kind of senior your freshman self would look up to and visit mihsislander.org for new articles every Tuesday and Thursday.
Georgia Mattox, Front/Online Editor
Ever since freshman year we have counted down the days until this moment. Excited students plan their future, calculate their career paths, and await the day that they will accept their diplomas and enter the next phase of their lives. But what I have come to realize, after four years at this amazing school, is that all that waiting does not amount to much, because now we are here, days before the coveted graduation day, and many of us are more sentimental than excited. We will miss the inspiring teachers that have shaped our academic and personal lives, the friends we have made and the sports teams and clubs we have joined. We will even come to miss the daily schedules we have all grown accustomed to as we are thrown into the whirlwind that is our lives beyond high school - a life of unknowns and uncertainties. So my biggest piece of advice to all of you is to take advantage of it. So many of us get caught up in all that we must do to prepare for college and beyond - the test scores, the grades, the extracurriculars - that we often fail to truly appreciate all that is in store for us in the moment. Yes, the future is exciting, but so is the present, so do not allow the anticipation for some future life to blind you from all that is happening now.
Hanna Puetz, Features Editor
Reflecting on the last four years of my high school experience, I remind myself how much I have grown since first stepping foot in the halls of MIHS. As a freshman coming from a private school background, I felt daunted by the idea of high school, an ephemeral feeling that soon gave way to excitement, stress, and routine as I adapted to the public-school environment. I first want to underscore how fortunate I am to have attended Mercer Island High School. The opportunities here are unbelievable, the variety of classes, clubs, activities, and resources at our fingertips are seemingly unlimited. Yet, more importantly, are the teachers who have stood in front of me for four years, whose humility, expertise, and love for teaching have helped to guide and empower me. Without them, I would not be leaving this school district the person I am today. Ultimately, journalism has imparted an appreciation for the power of words and their ability to inspire action. With these words, I inform and persuade. I describe and express my ideas. I effect change. For this, I thank Twombley and the journalism class. And lastly, for my fellow seniors: as you depart from this school district, realize the power of your own words and use them for good.
Emma Gottlieb, Staff Writer
As my four years as a student here at MIHS come to a close, I have noticed that I feel a lot more hesitant to graduate than I expected. While I can say for sure that I took all the required classes, returned all my books to the library, and said all my goodbyes to the drill team, I still do not think I can call my high school experience complete. This is not something over which I am too terribly sad, however it is not a feeling I would recommend, and for this reason I would like to leave a piece of advice: fellow students, I encourage you all to follow your hearts. I missed many opportunities to explore potential passions during my four years due to fear of judgement, both by peers and college admission teams. If I could, I would tell freshman year Emma to stay true to herself, to start that club or join that sport, to reach out to new people in the community before moving so far away. You are in control of your high school experience, so do not be afraid to call the shots. If you fall down, pick yourself up and give it another try. You will quickly find lots of happiness if you take just a second to listen to your heart. I hope to tailor my college experience according to my heart, and I hope that all of the peers I leave behind at MIHS will strive to do the same with the years they have left here.
Christine Lee, Spread Editor
mihsislander.org
Transferring to MIHS my junior year, I had no idea what to expect and was genuinely terrified I would hate it here. I am pleased to say that the mentors and friends that I have accumulated at MIHS have become a huge part of my life and have shaped me to be the person I am today. Thank you to Ms. Stafford for your unwavering compassion toward every student you meet. Ms. Sutherin, thank you for bringing a little taste of aloha to MI and for supporting me through junior year. Thank you to Mr. Weed for being my buddy and eating my brownies! Lastly, Mr. Twombley, thank you for your daily wisdom and kindness. May there be an abundance of kombucha in your future! Some advice to you Islanders. Don’t be afraid to try new things and get involved in your community! Join clubs (or start your own!), eat the lunch specials, and talk to people outside your normal circle of friends. One of my biggest fears as an underclassman was fear of what others think of me, but I have learned that those who are their true selves are not only the happiest, but the people I most admire. See you later MI, and follow @chocolatebark!
Nathan Benson, Sports Editor
To everyone that has helped me along the way to this point so close to graduation, thank you. Current students, you probably hear this enough, but slow down and look around once in a while. High school will fly by and as easy as it is to hate on school, the memories made here with friends and classmates will be memories you cherish forever. Take advantage of the opportunities available to you, and there are many. Even if at first you do it for the application as I myself am guilty of, you may soon find yourself finding a new passion, a great new group of people, or something to pursue beyond your time here. Join a sport (I recommend Cross Country and Track), join a club, run for a leadership position. Through successes and failures, you will learn more about yourself and shape the experiences that you will come to know as your high school career. Appreciate all of it, even the L you took on that test, or the disappointing end to your sports season. Class of 2017, there is nothing we can’t do as we go out into the world. You are an incredible group of people and thank you for making my MIHS experience full of great memories I won’t forget.
Aina Swartz, Opinions Editor
Though I only spent a little over half of my high school career at MIHS, this school has played a large role in shaping who I am. As I prepare to graduate, I would be lying if I said that I wasn’t aching to (in the words of George Bailey) “shake the dust of this crummy little town off my feet and see the world.” Even in my junior year, I absolutely couldn’t wait to finish high school and embark on my next big adventure: university. However, despite my excitement to cross the Atlantic and start my new life in London, I think that my hastiness has caused me to overlook some of the opportunities that high school could have offered me. The most valuable piece of advice I can give to you now is to not make the same mistake I did. Stop wishing you were somewhere else and make the most of what’s in front of you, no matter the circumstances. Living in the future is just as bad as living in the past - the only way to live life to its fullest is to take everything as it comes and to live everyday as if it were your last. Oh, and STUDY ABROAD!
Hanna Norén, Online Editor
With a mere number of days before graduation, I’ve begun to reflect on and realize what I wish I would’ve done in high school: joined band, disregarded others’ opinions, read more books, enjoyed my sports more, focused on the good in life rather than dwelling over the bad, ignored the concept of “résumé fluffing,” enjoyed being a child more, been more loving towards my parents, run cross country, participated in activities that I was passionate about rather than ones that were expected of me, thanked my teachers for their dedication and passion, lived more in the moment. To the remaining high schoolers, I hope you learn from my mistakes.
Zoe Levin, A&E Editor
I need to thank all of my wonderful teachers, counselors, and friends for my high school experience. Mercer Island High School felt massive and alien to me when I entered, but the people I met made mundane moments enjoyable. Thank you Mr. Puchalla for meeting with me a whole hour before school to discuss our upcoming DBQ. Thank you Ms. Sutherin for our numerous meetings. Thank you Ms. Schwartzberg for helping me regain my confidence in math. Thank you to every study buddy I’ve worked with and to every friend I have made. You have made MIHS a home.