L: 3… 2… 1… action! For this issue and the upcoming 2025-2026 school year, Max and I (Lily) will be your new stars of The Observer’s Paws for Thoughts! I am so honored and thrilled to serve as an Editor-in-Chief and continue collaborating with my fellow Observer staff to put out an exciting issue for our readers each month that keeps WCHS students and community members informed. I hope that this new Observer era (although perhaps not quite as glamorous as Taylor Swift’s Eras Tour) will be full of even more insightful, thought provoking stories. Speaking of glamorous events, one was definitely missing a couple weekends ago for WCHS juniors: prom. What do you think about this, Max?
M: I don’t know, Lily. I think a senior prom is more than enough. I do agree with you, however, that it’s great to be here and an honor to be the new EICs of The Observer. We’re both so grateful to be in this position and though we don’t want to get ahead of ourselves, I’m sure it’s going to be a strikingly successful year. The work that this team does is truly extraordinary, and we’re excited to see what comes next. But I keep getting hung up on those junior proms, Lily. Wouldn’t those be too expensive to feasibly accomplish?
L: The extra expenses are a very valid concern, but I think that the benefits may outweigh the disadvantages. By having a junior prom, juniors would have a chance to reflect on what they did or didn’t like about the event in order to optimize their prom next year. Feedback from students on key aspects of prom like the venue, the timing or music selection can help smooth out issues and improve the night, so that senior prom can live up to the high expectations around it.
M: Are you sure that’s a good thing? Prom is a big deal for many students because it’s a once-in-a-high-school event. It only comes around every end of senior year, and the photos and memories you make are a part of that single special day. Having two proms instead of one detracts from the experience that makes senior prom so special. Soon, you’ll have sophomore and freshman clamoring for one, and at that point, is it prom or just a generic annual dance?
L: Yes, I hear you, Max. Senior prom is supposed to be a very special night as it’s a milestone that students have heard about from older peers, seen in movies or listened to their parents reminisce about for years. However, this means that there can also be lots of anxiety and chaos leading up to it, since many students feel as though they have waited their whole life for the event and everything must be perfect. By having a junior prom, the whirlwind of emotions that many students feel in the days before senior prom may be a bit tamped down. By having a “trial run,” the night of senior prom doesn’t seem quite as intimidating, and seniors have a higher chance of going through the night with a little less stress. Don’t you think it’s nice to know what you’re getting into?
M: I agree, to an extent. Preparation is never a bad thing… except when it is. Another big element of the senior prom is that suspense, and making things up as you go. I think there’s a charm to not entirely knowing what to expect, even if you have an idea. At a certain point, I think too much preparation for something like a senior prom makes the whole process formulaic, and, like I mentioned before, just less special. I guess that’s really the entire point, is how much of the event’s soul would you be taking away from with the creation of a second prom? In my opinion, it’s just not worth it.
L: I think we’re going to have to agree to disagree regarding prom, but I know we can both agree on how fantastic The Observer is. Although it’s impossible to pick just one aspect, one of my favorite elements of this paper is the teamwork that takes place constantly. Whether it be during the editing process, in the production room or while making a commercial, the Observer staff is always working together towards putting out a spectacular final product. To our fellow Observer staff: we can’t wait for a great year! Max, what do you think makes The Observer so special?
M: Like you said, Lily, it’s all about the people. From our first-year staff to our incredible advisor Ms. Zitnik, everyone has a hand in every issue of The Observer. While these are our voices, neither of us would be here nor this paper possible without the tireless effort of our Newspaper class. As we enter a new year of these decades of student voices, let’s strive to remember the team effort that The Observer has always been. With that, everyone, thank you for being here this month. From Lily and I, we hope you enjoy the May issue of The Churchill Observer!
