For the past two years I have been a reporter for The Arrowhead and loved every minute of class. This will be my 42nd and final article.
My love for journalism started sophomore year. I knew I wanted to do something with media, writing, screenplay, etc, in the future, but was not sure what my career path would look like. In the winter of 2023, I received an invitation to attend the Washington Journalism and Media Conference in Washington D.C. for the upcoming summer. I reserved my spot and 6 months later I was in a dorm on the George Mason University campus, surrounded by 249 of my peers from across the country. Throughout the week I learned from professionals, visited national monuments, toured museums and created meaningful connections, many of whom I am still in touch with today. This conference helped me narrow my career goals to one: become a specialized broadcast journalist (two including my life-long goal to be on Saturday Night Live).
In the Fall of 2024 I started Junior Year and joined the Journalism Class, writing for The Arrowhead. Our teacher, Mr. Rauch was a former Arrowhead English teacher who retired, then came back to sub for other English classes who needed a substitute. He ensured that we went on field trips to gain real experience like visiting Fox 6 and attending the Bucks Journalism and PR Day. Mr. Rauch pushed the class to write well-thought out articles and always ask one more question. Second semester, Journalism was the only class he came in and taught. Instead of doing the bare minimum for a class he could have dropped teaching for, he stayed, which is something I will always appreciate. The year did not look like I had expected, but it turned out better than I could have imagined. Through hard work, the class updated The Arrowhead’s website, improved staff profiles and increased online presence.
This year, Ava Eigner and I were promoted to editors and Eli Arnold who was in the class with us last year continued it this year as well. We were joined by a new group of sophomores, juniors and seniors. Led by Mr. Andrews, this class was a fun group of people, friendships were made, articles were written and there was even a little high school romance. Mr. Andrews created one of the most inviting classroom environments, where each day started with a recap of the weekend events or general feelings from each person. Honestly, there have been very few classes where I feel close with my peers because of my independent nature, but my eighth hour journalism class is the exception. From playing Imposter at the end of the school day, to funny debates on whether D.C. or Marvel comics are better, this class is one of the highlights from my Arrowhead career.
I will be attending Vassar College next year, where I hope to write for the Miscellany News. I still do not know what my career or life will look like, but maybe one day I will be a specialized broadcast reporter or on Saturday Night Live, or maybe life will take me in a completely different direction, but regardless, I will always be grateful for my time writing for The Arrowhead and spending time in my Journalism Class.
