Katie bids a nostalgic farewell to her La Vista family, reminiscing on the past three years

Katie Volk

The time has arrived for me to write my senior goodbye. I have been reluctant to write this because writing this piece signifies the conclusion of my La Vista experience and the end of my duties as a student-journalist at Costa. But, in my opinion, the saddest thing is saying goodbye to all the friends and memories I have made during these past three years working and writing for La Vista.

It is impossible for me to write about my life in La Vista in under 550 words. Three years filled with endless laughs, countless eye rolls, close encounters to crying my eyes out, and moments ranging from hyper focused activity to just staring at my computer screen. How could I sum up three years of my life in just one story? I’ll take you year by year.

Flashback to sophomore year: I was taking Intro to Journalism through Zoom and could barely interact with anyone. Getting acquainted with people was a serious challenge.

Junior year began, and I was starting on the paper with zero friends. Almost everyone from my Intro class had dropped the class or had already graduated. Luckily, I made fast friends with a group of sophomores. Thanks to McLean, Kayla, Taylor, Marley, and Alana (and then Reese in 2nd semester), I didn’t have to endure being a staff writer alone. 

Junior year was filled with many highs that equaled the amount of lows. Arguing with Mac over a burrito in front of the entire class was definitely one of my low moments, but ultimately getting Mac to hand over that burrito signifying my victory was certainly my peak in La Vista. Being a frequent Arts and Opinion writer, my life as a staff writer was pretty easy and low stress. However, writing the boys soccer beat was always a frustrating chore. I hate to say that sports writing and I never got along. 

Senior year came too soon, and I was the newly appointed Arts editor. Because of Joylynn, being Arts editor was a breeze ,and there was never a dull moment. Joylynn: you’re truly a character, and I am always entertained by your constant need for a Peach Vibe and our giggled-filled conversations about a certain senior boy (#3). But I beg of you, please stop playing Justin Bieber on your computer at full volume. Play that German/Swedish rap!

Forget InDesign! I can confidently say the hardest part about being an editor is trying to decipher Mac’s illegible edits. I still can’t tell if that is a dash or an apostrophe that you added to my story. Nonetheless, being an editor was definitely a highlight of La Vista. The editors’ room of room 101 holds such beloved memories and will always take up residence in my heart.

Thanks to my dad for highly encouraging me to write for La Vista and always reading my stories. Without your guidance, I would be at a complete loss of what my purpose was during my time at Costa. Thank you to Mac for always showing up for us and for your limitless support for La Vista. Despite facing your wrath for not turning in my assignments, I owe so much of my high school experience to you.

I love all my La Vista ladies (and Seth, of course) and looking back on high school from my almost graduate perspective, I can say that all of you collectively made life at this school so memorable; thank you so much for defining the past three years of my life. I love all of you, and I will miss everyone so much! ARTS 4 LIFE!