Hello to anybody reading,

I have been a part of journalism for the past three years at Plainfield East, and there has never been a moment that I have not been grateful to be included in this wonderful activity. When I joined sophomore year, I could have never imagined the friends I would make or the experiences I would live out.

High school is hard, but journalism has made it all worthwhile. The friendships that have formed here have been central to my high school experience, and my life would be so dim without them. I feel like I found a true community here, and I am beyond sad to leave it, but I know that it is not the end. My fellow journalists will go on to do great things, and I aspire to do the same. 

In addition, the skills I have learned in journalism will never depart from me. I have learned how to write professional emails, communicate effectively, and how to believe in myself. These things are so valuable, especially considering the place I was in my sophomore year. The growth I have seen since then due to journalism is beyond my wildest dreams.

Again, I will reiterate that I am so incredibly thankful for journalism. I do not know where I would be without it. Journalism gave me the opportunity to explore my passions and create bonds I will never forsake. It gave me the chance to become connected to Plainfield East in a way I never thought possible. I interviewed people I would never have talked to otherwise, learned more about the school, and obviously had the chance to get to know the two greatest journalism advisers, Mrs. Munsie and Mrs. Hornik, along with an amazing student teacher, Ms. Galvan.

My yearbook quote was a lyric from Car Seat Headrest: “Every laugh is a path worth following.” This holds so true for journalism, which has brought me such joy over the years. Although I am not pursuing journalism after high school, journalism will never be a path I regret following. I learned so much about myself, and I can truly say it was indeed worth it.

Special thanks to all the journalism staff for my senior year, who made the morning show possible and who took journalism to a whole new level. You guys also make it all worth it. I am so blessed.

Thank you so much for reading, and goodbye. I wish that anybody reading this joins journalism (if you are not in it already) immediately.