All I can say is that this class has truly changed the way I interact with the world around me. Whether it’s interviewing new people or taking candid photos, newspaper has taught me to put myself out there and write about what interests me. In most classes you take throughout high school, you don’t get much of a say in what you learn about, but not newspaper. Our advisor Evva Starr has designed this class so that the power is in the hands of the students. If you walked into our classroom right now, chances are you’d see students taking attendance, making announcements, writing and editing articles, creating pages; everything comes from the students and that’s the way we like it.
It is rare to find the same level of creativity and drive in our staff and our adviser anywhere else. The genuine time and effort that goes into each press day and the dedication of our writers to cover hard-hitting pieces is reflected in the quality of our work. I could not be more proud to say that I’ve written for Common Sense because of the people that make this place so special.
Ms. Starr not only allows us, but encourages us to follow our passions. I can’t recall a whim she did not entertain or lead she deterred us from pursuing. One of my favorite parts of her class is during Intro to Journalism where Ms. Starr teaches us about the importance of educating the public through its impact on democracy and the world around us. Not only does she challenge us to be better writers, but she nurtures our growth into independent thinkers. It is refreshing to have a mentor like her who advocates for her students and emboldens us to develop our own perspectives. I could not think of a better teacher to lead this class and I strongly encourage any students considering taking journalism to do it. She truly embodies what it means to be passionate about what you do. Her enthusiasm is contagious and inspires students like me to love and appreciate journalism just as much as she does.
As I look back on the past four years, my biggest piece of advice is to be chalant; get excited over the little things and don’t be afraid to show you care. Put forth effort and enthusiasm into anything and everything that you’re passionate about, even if you don’t feel qualified yet. Everyone starts from somewhere and showing that you genuinely care about your work makes you stand out. I remember being a news editor and wanting to cut out pictures in photoshop, but thinking it would be too much for a news page. Ms. Starr encouraged me that it was my page now and I could do whatever I wanted with it. Even today, I apply this sentiment to everything that I do. We’re lucky to have these kinds of opportunities available and it’s our job to make the most of them. With that, I’d like to express my gratitude to the Common Sense staff and Ms. Starr for making these past four years some of the most memorable and rewarding.
