OOPINION PINION THE E I C CORNER

I was a 4th grader when our class adviser gave us a small piece of paper containing a list of the clubs we were mandated to choose from. As an eager nine-year-old who loved a good challenge, I knew that The Josephian Diadem was my only option, and I was determined to be a part of one of the school’s most challenging organizations. Luckily, at that time, grade school students were welcome to apply, and I was more than enthusiastic about becoming one of the young News Writers on the staff. Thankfully, I got accepted. And throughout the years that I became a part of this publication, I have witnessed upperclassmen who dedicated the greater part of their high school life in becoming a student-writer. From contributors to editorial positions, they inspired me to continue honing my writing ability.

7th grade was the year when I realized I would take on a more significant role. Though I was still a news writer, my long-lived goal to become the publication’s Editor in Chief (EIC) wasn’t as out of reach as before. At one club meeting, we were asked to write an editorial article which was highly different from what I was used to. News writing was simply objective; all I needed to do was be factual and accurately tell a narrative. I wasn’t inclined to voice out my opinions and analyze conflicting viewpoints. However, to my surprise, my publication adviser admired my submitted article. It even led her to invite me to be a contestant in an NCR-wide journalism competition.

Now I was well aware that I had very little chance of even placing in that competition. Especially since the majority of the contestants were much older and had more experience compared to me, whose forte wasn’t even editorial writing to begin with But training for it and actually being surrounded by students with the same passion as me felt surreal One that solidified my versatility and devotion to this skill It ultimately pushed me to become an official Editorial Writer, a News Editor, and eventually the Editor in Chief

In my last year as a junior high school student, I have finally reached my destination Though a part of me knew that my perseverance wouldn’t go unnoticed, it still hit me differently when our newspaper adviser told my mother, “Ito po yung EIC namin ” It validated the nights when I had to balance a great deal of backlogs with articles that had strict deadlines.

Finally, we have arrived at a nearing end After months of managing the publication’s social media pages together with my fellow staffers, formulating activities, and constructing this school year’s newspaper, we have successfully made it This wouldn’t have been possible without my fellow staffers, who I took pride in, and our advisers, Ms Coleen Gresola and Ms Armalyn Cajayon, two of the most encouraging mentors that I am honored to come across with

That being said, I am eternally grateful for the years I spent as a member of this publication To my fellow staffers, long live to the walls we have crashed through May this school year’s 2022-2023 issue be one that can be remembered