With pride beaming from my eyes, I marched through the halls of the L-building, eager to distribute my first-ever issue of The Epitaph. However, after a full lunch period of urging people to take the newspapers, half the stack still sat sadly in my arms.
Even though I loved everything about journalism, there was a lingering voice in my head whispering that I would fail to make an impact.
Thankfully, I quickly learned that the 16 pages students use to hit each other at lunch could actually create the change I coveted.
As opinion editor, I lead and communicate The Epitaph’s beliefs through our staff editorial, which is the strongest platform for our publication’s editorial board to voice common opinions. One of the first editorials I led advocated for changes within the college and career center to more efficiently serve the entire student body.
When the article was published, I assumed it would face the same, pitiful fate I witnessed my first issue go through, and I hardly gave it a second thought. But, a few months later, I learned administration was planning meetings to discuss changes to the center in accordance with our editorial.
Furthermore, I heard positive feedback from my classmates about this work, citing their similar concerns and relief that this struggle was being illuminated.
After hearing this news, my pessimistic attitude washed away, revealing the buried potential I had to make a difference. When I see a systemic issue that plagues our student body, I have the power to mend it through opinion articles.
Journalism provides me with an unfiltered medium to express what I believe in, and it empowers me to advocate for changes that will benefit students at HHS and around the district.
Moreover, I possess the rare opportunity as an editor to help fellow reporters hone their vision and writing skills so they, too, can effectively champion their beliefs.
Through this role, I am exposed to so many diverse perspectives and viewpoints, even many I disagree with. However, the variety of beliefs that come from people in the publication helps to refine my viewpoints on life and can do so for all readers.
While some may view The Epitaph as an unserious extracurricular lacking in impact, I have seen firsthand what student publications can do for expression.
The me who shamefully hauled 30 issues back to the journalism classroom last year would not have been able to envision the future impact he would have with those tabloid-sized papers, but I think he would be relieved that his work paid off.
Now, when speaking about my involvement in The Epitaph, I express my pride at the change I have been enabled to facilitate.
