Graduation 2023: Saying Goodbye to the Emery’s Seniors

from The Huron Emery Volume 8 Issue 6 June

The newest hit love song: Beabadoobee's "Glue Song"

The Huron Emery taught me that the best things in life can’t be planned. My world in room 4203 is one of those “best things.” Entering high school, newspaper never crossed my mind as an avocation I could dive into. But in sophomore year, the pandemic and the ample time it offered naturally swayed me towards journalism, and thus our beloved Huron Emery. Though it all started off in Zoom, this is where I found my haven for the next three years. The concept of journalism fascinated me: beyond the writing, photographing, designing, every aspect of the “do’’ in our work was packaged between a “we” and a “serve.” And I love that. It’s no secret that there’s many breakdowns in InDesign, sweat, and tears behind each issue, website and social media cycle. But it’s all the colorful times in-between the starting line and the date we send to press that highlight the best of The Emery: the collaboration, the creativity, and the community. As we look to the future of the wonders to be built in room 4203, I — and all seniors — are appeased knowing our paper is in good hands. Continue putting that love and passion into your work. Continue storytelling. And continue serving the community through the work you put forth.

I was always curious about people. It’s that mystery of what it would be like to be another person and live through the experiences they live in. When I walked into room 4203, I knew this was where I had the opportunity to not only share my voice but give a voice to those who do not. Even though I was scared and had no idea what I was doing, I felt an instant connection to room 4203. There is beauty in sharing someone’s story. As four years have passed, including a year on Zoom, I can definitively say that journalism transformed me into a storyteller and truth seeker. This couldn’t have been possible without those I have interviewed, my fellow Emery staffers, and the support of OC. From pulling all-nighters to finishing my stories or edits to any issue, The Huron Emery taught me the importance of teamwork, listening to other perspectives, sharing the truth, and putting the people first. I am so proud to have been part of this community of change agents and servant leaders. Seeing the underclassmen, I am excited to see how The Emery will flourish. I cannot wait to look back and read. To future Emery leaders: don’t be scared, be fearless. Keep listening, reporting, and sharing stories. Our community, democracy, needs storytellers and truthseekers. But also cherish the interviews and staying up late to finish a story. Cherish the millions of hours spent on In-design. And cherish the relationships you’ve built. Because before you know it, you will look around and reminisce about a flashback, a flood of memories, wishing to do it all over again.

The only advice that I can rightfully offer that can successfully apply to anyone who reads this—if anyone does—is to live profoundly. Plunge fearlessly from the greatest heights into the farthest depths of passion, courage, kindness and perseverance in your general approach to everything. Unfortunately, I can’t speak to how to succeed or excel within journalism. I have really no authority to tell anyone how to be a good journalist other than anything you could find on the internet — know your AP style, always ask questions and be curious. But — as I hope anyone reading this will come to find out — being part of The Huron Emery offers far more lessons for life than for journalism. One lesson that Emery has instilled in me: is to win the world over with kindness. Life may make you think that the only appropriate response to the plentiful adversity the world has to offer, is to harden yourself and to block yourself off from everything that the world may throw at you—good or bad. Instead, have unwavering kindness and faith in the capacity for good things to occur. Live profoundly and love profoundly, and be compassionate to others. Both within Room 4203 or outside of it, be a good human being, and love people for who they are and be forgiving for all that they lack. Be accepting of what comes at you, and stand your ground, and no matter what: live profoundly.

For the past 4 years, I have been so proud to call The Emery my home. There’s tons of words I could use for this, but I’ll keep my reflection short and sweet (like me)- telescopes podcasting kits event lighting anatomical skeletons amplifiers giant connect four tiny pianos sewing machines electric basses energy meters microphones metal detectors guitar pedals 1,000-piece puzzles mega tumble towers die cutters temperature meters binoculars portable PA systems digital projectors wacom tablets bass pedals boom whackers thereminis pocket pianos otamatones fluke ukeles voltage & current meters electric guitars arduino starter kits bicycle pump and repair kit Audubon BirdCam portable scanner EMF meters sound meters synthesizers light tables giant chess sets mini badminton sets disc golf baskets 1,000 dominoes yarn swifts pickleball sets molkky air scoop ball sets board games giant checkers miniature ping pong spinning wheels bookbinding kits drum carders clip-on smartphone lenses uv light detectors acoustic guitars light optics kits media options available.

Firstly, the years of guidance under OC have been invaluable to my growth not just as a writer but as a person. I am forever grateful.

Secondly, the wonderful staff members throughout the years that have worked so diligently to create such a gorgeous final product. To all of you that have done a page in under an hour, worked to pass out our papers, or simply wrote the briefest of Humans of Huron, thank you. I’ve met so many amazing people who will go on to do brilliant things. Thank you, forever and ever.

Finally, my advice is for everyone to sign up for a newspaper class under OC. It’s challenging, it’s painful, and at times it really sucks to be up at midnight design ing a page for the fifth time. But my high school experi ence would be null without the experiences in this class. Do it, I promise it’s worth it. and all the staff upcom ing, good luck, and go team.

There are an infinite number of emotions I feel when I think about my time at The Emery. But the most repetitive one is regret. There are the simple little regrets, like wishing I put more effort into an article or a photostory. But some are not so simple. I regret not being able to teach underclassmen more effectively. I regret not cherishing every single moment in 4203. I regret not hugging OC tighter. I regret not joining The Emery sooner. I regret not doing more for The Emery. But I believe it should be impossible to regret, because the endless pride and hope for the future of The Emery is firmly imprinted in my heart. I love you all, and I am so grateful to have known you.

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