The idea that it is my turn to write my senior goodbye is such a bittersweet experience. I have been on this paper for four years, and it is so crazy to think that I found my home away from home, and I have poured my heart and soul into the paper.
Freshmen me was new to this district and was so nervous to enter a whole new world, but here I was leaving all my hometown friends behind to attend school here in Mira Costa. I can still recall my mother bickering in my ear telling me: “You should try journalism as your elective, I know you so well, Bella, you are going to love it!” So there I was, in a combo class with La Vista eager to
learn about something brand new, journalism. I will never forget Katie, who was a senior at the time, and how much she pushed me and my fellow classmates to get involved in the paper, even though we were just in the Intro to Journalism class. To all the field trips to Amigos Tacos and all the movie reviews, which “Almost Famous” became my favorite movie of all time, I absolutely fell in love with the world of journalism
My sophomore year consisted of being stuck at home due to what blew everyone off their feet: a world-wide pandemic. I was bummed that my first year on the paper was going to be online, but rather sulk in my sadness, I wrote so many stories. Of course, as the big extrovert that I am, I wrote opinion stories for each issue, and I even wrote for Arts each issue as well. I learned so much from my designated editors from the Opinion section, Kelley Sussman and Ella Mahan. I was so eager to make the Opinion section mine and interviewed for Opinion editor and earned the position. My junior year was filled with so many emotions but definitely where I made the second to most memories. While continuing to learn so much, I made such genuine friendships. I will forever be grateful to the seniors there at the time. I miss you, Raven and Zoe, so much! Thank you for being the kindest and sweetest friends ever to little junior me.
I don’t even know where to begin explaining what senior year means and what it was like for me. Earning the position of editor-in-chief has been the most rewarding experience and
accomplishment for me. Here I was able to use my leadership skills and lead a team of wonderful journalists to produce a paper with a voice and validity. We all worked as a team, and every issue we did an exceptional job and somehow always got it done.
To my current staff: thank you for being my bestest friends. Thank you for allowing me to be your leader. Thank you for everything. I thought that for me high school was only going to be about my academics, but you guys changed that for me. You guys created a home for me where I feel safe and the happiest. The memories we hold are unforgettable, and I will always be here for you. Each of you are such amazing people who I know will do great things with the paper when I graduate. If someone were to ask me if I do this all over again, my answer would be I would do this for the rest of my life.
To the next staff: I hope that you do not forget about Bella, your old EIC! I wish you all love and hope that the advice and encouragement that I have relayed to you stays with you through next year. To the staff that I have not been able to lead, this will be the best experience for you as a young student. The opportunities and family that you are coming in to, you will not regret.
Mac! Oh where the time has gone… First and foremost, I want to thank you for all that you have done for me as my first advisor. The continued encouragement, support, and constructive criticism. You have seen me grow all four years. Our trip to New York really opened my eyes to what you have taught us over the years and I will always remember how eager I was to tell you after my first conference session how much you have taught me was true.
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