For us, the staff members of various publications within the CT journalism program, these classes are more than just classes. These classes are our passions, our homes, our sanctuaries, and everything in between. For many staff members, by their senior year they have been in this program for years, which makes our transition into college bittersweet as we reminisce over our accomplishments and memories, both excited for the future and sorrowful for what we are leaving behind.

FROM THE START

Though it may be years ago, many seniors remember their first experience in the newsroom.

“I started  journalism by accidentally walking into the wrong classroom my sophomore year and it was the best accident I’ve made,” yearbook Editor-in-Chief Kelly Miller (12) said.

The first day is always an exciting time, and for many it is one of the best times of the year.

“One of my favorite moments in the newsroom was the first day of this year, I loved seeing all the new faces and how excited everybody was to be here, it just gave me a really good feeling about this year,” newspaper Copy Editor Alani Casiano (12) said.

FINDING OUR PASSION

Not only are these classes a fun environment to be in, there is also a great deal of passion behind each one. For many seniors, the newsroom was where they found their passions and skills that they didn’t know they could have.

“Newspaper has impacted me in a way of finding what I’m good at, I never would have known that I have such a strength in design if it wasn’t for Newspaper,” newspaper Design Editor Sara Stifter (12) said.

In addition to learning their strengths, many seniors learned things about the world that they never would have if it weren’t for journalism, many of which they are going to carry with them into the next stage of their life.

“Newspaper has made me a really good leader, just learning how to lead by others and leading myself. Not only did I learn this other side of journalism, but I learned that there is so much journalism out there, so much storytelling. I learned these skills that I can take into life, and I got to not only learn those skills but hone in my other skills,” newspaper Website Editor Peyton Grattino (12) said.

THE COMMUNITY

The newsroom has been a home for all people who have walked into the room, it has been our home away from home and leaving it is bittersweet. Many seniors explained that it was always a safe place for them and that they made lifelong friends because of the class.

“It has given me a community for me to belong to a space where I feel like I can do whatever and act a certain way that isn’t too off the wall for everyone else,” newspaper staffer Max Marucut (12) said.

Room 263 will always have a special place in our hearts and the idea of not being in their everyday fills us with sadness.

“I’m going to miss having people I can talk to about anything and always having somewhere to go no matter what’s going on in my life,” yearbook Managing Editor Genevieve Prejean (12) said.

“Yearbook has made me more of an outgoing person and allowed me to create unforgettable friendships… I’m going to miss the bond and family environment in yearbook,” yearbook Gallery Editor Brooke Buswell (12) said.

The connection we each had with our publications and the newsroom goes beyond our love for what we do. It also extends to the people that made this place a home for them.

“I’m going to miss the sense of community in the newsroom, I think we all get along really well, we all share the things that are going on in our lives, and we all really sympathize with each other and connect with each other emotionally. It all feels really special like a family so I am going to miss that,” Casiano said.

WE WILL FOREVER BE JOURNALISTS

Journalism has taught all of the seniors so many lessons and they take those lessons with them to college. The senior journalists are very proud of all of these accomplishments and will honor them forever as they part ways in their college careers.

“I have always wanted to design a website, and my dream came true because I got to build the website for the school. Now, I go on there every single day and I look at it, I’m like ‘i did this.’ I built something that is going to last,” Grattino said.

In addition to the many things that the senior journalists have learned and accomplished, something else that will stick with them is the memories they made here.

“What I am going to miss is the memories I made making a yearbook from camp over the summer and creating a great bond with not only my classmates but my family and friends,” yearbook Design Editor Christina Crowder (12) said.

Cherokee Trail Journalism impacted us in many different ways, we will never forget the memories or the funny moments we shared while making a publication.

“It’s not so much the memories so much as a recurring feeling of we have a paper and it came together, didn’t matter all that crap that happened two days ago where everyone is losing it but when we have the physical paper in our hands all that just washes away,” Marucut said.

From our supportive and encouraging adviser Mrs. Barber and to our fellow staff members we thank you from the bottom of our hearts. Thank you for the memories and endless lessons we have learned from you!