We’re at the point in life where we expect this immense change to happen — something so dramatic you wouldn’t even believe it happened. But who were we a few years back? Do you remember what it is like to enter a new environment? Well now, you get a do over. Take the time to see who you’ve become and embrace the old you.
When I walked into the WCHS building for the first time as a freshman, I was met with this airy feeling of curiosity. The younger Isabella had desires to make a shift in every environment she set her foot in, chasing the freshness of new opportunities. I often look at myself today and wonder, what does a younger Isabella think of me today? I hope she is proud of me and how far along I’ve come.
When I started as a J1, I was eager to learn the ropes of what it meant to be a journalist. Inspired by female news anchors I grew up watching, I was ready to get into this field and share my voice to the world. Although I initially struggled with assignments such as the Radical Writes, I managed to truly understand them when I started to process the information instead of doing the work just to do it.
Throughout my time on The Observer, I have been able to develop my true passion: the community. Through the skills I was taught by Ms. Zitnik and The Observer staff, I was granted the opportunity to connect with WCHS staff, students and other community members due to my role as a staff member. I’m deeply grateful for the opportunity to create a change within my local community and hope that the next generation of WCHS staff members will cherish every moment they have on this paper.
One of my favorite articles I wrote in my high school career was “AOTM: Rosa Saavedra.” In this article, I conveyed who Saavedra was as a person beyond soccer. Hearing from other interviewees, not only the lead subject, reinforced why I signed up for journalism.
Being a journalist at any level grants an individual the role to accomplish one civil duty: to provide the people with the whole and honest truth. Throughout my time on The Observer, I have provided readers with honest opinions and commentary. I urge the next class of Observer staff members to have a passion for journalism and to not let The Observer to simply be another addition to their college applications.
We’ve entered the point of life where even the small details we rushed through to usher in the final product have shown us their importance. Every single assignment ranging from a Practice Prep to All Tasks has prepared us (and weakened us) for the moment where we walk across that stage and say goodbye. I do thank every single one of my teachers, for they have inspired my kindred heart to chase my dreams. Even within the classes I struggled in or lost motivation in trying for, my teachers still pushed me to succeed.
