Photo courtesy of Disney

In keeping with the pattern I established while at the Observer, I waited until the last possible second to begin working on this article. I tend to procrastinate when I feel like I do not have enough to say; this time, I am on the opposite side of that problem. The Observer has become something of an institution in my life, and the fact that I will no longer be a staff member has not quite hit me yet. I am unsure how to capture three years of memories in a single article, but I will try to hit the critical points in true journalistic fashion.
I did not have much of an interest in journalism during my freshman year. As someone who has always enjoyed writing, it appeared to be the perfect fit but despite encouragement from my family and friends, I was hesitant to register. Journalistic writing was far different from the academic and creative writing I had grown accustomed to. I did not seriously consider joining the Observer until the summer before my sophomore year, when I had just finished “Almost Famous,” a movie in which a young journalist goes on tour with a rock band. I emailed my counselor the next day and was luckily able to secure a spot in J1.
As expected, my assimilation into the world of journalism was not seamless. Not being able to use Oxford commas or contractions threw me for a loop. My introverted sophomore-year self dreaded conducting interviews, especially in-person ones. But as the year went on, I became increasingly invested in the class. As we read and wrote more articles in class, I realized I could see myself working on the Observer, something I could not have pictured only a year prior.
While on the famed journalism trip to Columbia (that finally happened this year!), the lectures I attended emphasized the benefits of working on a newspaper, regardless of their future career path. Looking back on my time on the Observer, I am just now grasping this truth. The past three years have granted me more than a basic understanding of AP style and InDesign; I have learned how to communicate with people, ask the right questions, and tell meaningful stories. I have developed research skills, confidence and an ability to identify important details. Comparing myself to the person I was before journalism, I am proud of how much I have learned and how far I have come. I am still unsure what I want to do with my life, but I know the lessons learned in room 243 will guide me.
Of everything that the Observer has gifted me, the most important is a community. People I would have otherwise never met have become the people that get me through the day. Memories of cramming for J1 tests, bonding activities and binging on Sour Skittles in the backroom will not soon be forgotten. The class trip to NYC is among the best experiences of my high school career. My classmates and I are united in our interest in journalism, but we are unique enough to learn from each other every day. I will forever cherish the sense of community we have created during our brief time on the paper.
I am still coming to terms with the fact that I will never again write an article for the Observer, which makes this final paragraph nearly impossible to write. To the next generation of Observer staffers: while I do not have much wisdom to impart, I encourage you to make the most of this time in your lives because it does not last long. (P.S.: if you ever find yourself craving a snack during production, the vending machine with Sour Skittles is by the auditorium.)