Dear Common Sense,
As a freshman, I had to pick out what classes I wanted to take the next year. After selecting my core classes and needed electives to graduate, I had an opening that I had no idea what to do with. My counselor at the time, Jose Varela, suggested I take journalism since English was my favorite subject. So I signed up and forgot about it until the following school year started. Little did I know it would be the best decision I made in high school.
Starting in Intro to Journalism (J1), I had no idea how much I would fall in love with Common Sense and its community. The first time I felt that sense of community was on a random day in mid-December 2022. It was right in the middle of the soccer World Cup, and because of time differences, a game was on during our J1 period. Seniors Heerah Jayakumar, Noah Friedman, Kian Kaz, myself and others were watching the Brazil game, and I don’t remember if they won or lost, but I do remember Kian screaming and falling off his chair at the game’s outcome. Journalism teacher Evva Starr then chimed in and said, “At least you’re passionate about something.” We all started laughing so hard and this was the first time room 242 felt like home.
The next time it felt like home was my first press day. After applying and getting the position of news editor, I was so nervous to make my first page. But Editor-in-Chief Emeritus and 2023 graduate Julia Lvovsky walked me through it. She helped me when my page didn’t save and I had to start completely over. Her kindness, the community, and controlled chaos of room 242 on that final press day of the year made me certain I would love my role and future within this publication.
The third time I felt that sense of community was my first press day of my junior year, or more so, the days leading up to it. On my own, making a page after three months off from school, I was again nervous and overwhelmed by Adobe InDesign. But sitting next to me were juniors Hayley Gottesman and Emory Scofield, the other two news editors. We worked together to make all three pages look cohesive and created a friendship that would last for a long time. Taking on my role of managing editor, this year has been a whirlwind of ups and downs. From college applications to friend group drama, I always knew I could find my people in the newspaper room.
Some of my favorite memories from high school live in 242. When we did a daily playful activity before class. One day, we played “Cheers to the Governor,” and I don’t think I’ve ever laughed so hard in my whole life. From having Mrs. Starr guess who we are by our voices, to playing “tree, piggyback, pyramid, and canoe,” my heart lives in room 242. Common Sense has brought me amazing friendships and taught me that I want to continue with journalism and hopefully make it my career, whether it be sports, news, or political journalism. Mrs. Starr taught me what it is to love something so deeply. So again, for the final time, thank you, Common Sense.
With Love,
Emma Karcz
