An assigned seat in the front of the classroom, a new high school freshman surrounded by upperclassmen who are already driving: that was my reality when I took my first Newspaper class. I was terrified as one of the youngest in the room. Learning my way around the school, I was also having to interact with new people to write about and interview.
I love writing, so I took on that challenge despite my initial uncertainty. Mrs. Hornick’s class only had one rule. Turn in your article on time. Other than that? Write about whatever you want. I had never been given that kind of freedom in a class before, and it helped me to grow my writing skills tremendously. It was easy to realize how different Newspaper would be from any other class. Experienced students plan out lessons, create quizzes, and grade the writing of the new students, to have the class function as a newsroom.
After a few awkward encounters and cold emails, I gradually learned to love the once dreaded interviews. I have met with dozens of students, teachers, and more throughout my years in the Newspaper. Besides great quotes, I have gained a glimpse into so many lives through the stories each person has told me. Each person has been entirely different from the last, and I have come to understand the diversity that makes Athens Drive so special.
Newspaper is more than just writing assignments. Every day, I get to share a passion for storytelling with classmates who have made my experiences so special. Whether we are laughing ourselves to tears over an inside joke or racing against a deadline, our team camaraderie is one of the things I will miss the most once I graduate.
We all understand the privilege of getting to tell other people’s stories, and I can speak for all my classmates when I say each has an article that has made them feel powerful with their words. For me, that article was written last year, and it told the story of two brothers on the wrestling team. One of whom was nonverbal, yet the bond they shared, as well as the admiration their coach had for them, was remarkable. That article went on to win placement in a national publication, and I quickly realized that my writing could have an impact through a real human connection.
I felt immense pressure when I stepped up to lead the team with my co-Editor-in-Chief, Nora Richards, this year. But the bond Nora and I have has helped us to tackle tight guidelines, the rise of AI, banning our websites and countless other issues. Together, we have pushed through those situations, and we have done our best to make the Athens Oracle a better publication.
Once I had completed that first semester of Newspaper class, my freshman year, I already knew what I wanted for my future. After some research, I quickly came to admire UNC-Chapel Hill’s student newspaper, The Daily Tar Heel. Since then, I have worked hard to receive admission into the school. Now, I am happy to say that I cannot wait to continue writing for their publication next year, and that I could have never found this passion without my school Newspaper class.
Through Newspaper, I have learned to write, but more importantly, I have learned to connect with others. When I walk into the newsroom for the last time, I will do my best to take in every detail. The place that held our chaotic editing sessions, laughter and the proof that stories really can make a difference.
