Newspaper is more than a class.  

When I saw that I had been placed into Newspaper Production at the beginning of sophomore year, I planned to leave it. I had no intention of writing boring stories that no one was going to read. The class seemed like it would not be any fun or teach me anything; I had no idea what I was getting myself into.  

When I walked into class on the first day of school, I noticed my friend Margo had an empty seat next to her, so I sat beside her. The first few days I felt overwhelmed because I had no clue how to write stories or take pictures or do any sort of journalism. I started writing my first story, but I had no clue if what I was writing was good or not. 

After some time, I had turned into somewhat of a journalist. Instead of dreading going to newspaper, it became the one thing I looked forward to during school. Every day I worked to help my “co-workers” and finish my stories, although occasionally I did not make my due date. I wasn’t prioritizing Newspaper as much as my editors were, so making my deadline for my story was difficult. 

I began going to layout days where we make the newspaper pages on InDesign and stay almost six hours after school. I was committed to this class like it was a job, I no longer viewed it as a class, but as building experience for my future. I learned so much throughout the year that I never imagined I would be doing in this class. From writing a story and doing an interview with strangers, to taking photos of athletes in midair. I built my skills each day, hoping to be the best journalist I could be.  

By the end of the year, I created friends with many who I was scared to talk to at the beginning of the year. The memories I made last school year will stay with me for many years to come, and hopefully the friends I made will stay with me too. Right before the year ended, my co-editors in chief talked to me and said they want me to be next year’s co-editor in chief. At first, I thought they were kidding because I was in no way a leader.  

The next year comes around and now I am one of the co-editors-in-chief; the amount of time and effort that got me to this moment most people will never understand. It may seem like not that big of a deal, but to me it’s an honor to continue the legacy of all the editors in chief before me. I try my hardest every day to make sure The Viking Vanguard is full of beautiful quality work.  

I may have started out dreading this class, but now it’s a huge part of who I am.