June 21, 2023
Over the past two years, I have had the privilege of serving as an editor-in-chief, a role that challenged me in ways I never expected. I have spent countless hours after school formatting the newspaper and problem-solving pages that were difficult to lay out.
I started on The Lighthouse staff as a sophomore writing book reviews and worked my way to different styles such as editorial, feature, news and opinion pieces. It has given my writing a newfound vibrancy.
As editor-in-chief, I had to manage my leadership responsibilities and schoolwork simultaneously, which equipped me with many valuable skills.
I still remember the November day in 2021 when I walked home eager to show my dad the first newspaper I ever designed. Encouraging me to take creative risks, he has been my greatest supporter in my endeavors as a student journalist.
My role as editor-in-chief has also given me opportunities that extend well beyond the school newspaper.
My dad has also been my biggest critic. From reading drafts of my articles to analyzing my layout designs, he pushed me to strive for more. Some members of The Lighthouse say handing out the newspaper to other students is the most exciting part of the publication process, but for me, the highlight has been bringing the final copy home to my dad.
Many students do not realize how much thought, work and dedication goes into this publication. The American Scholastic Press Association awarded it first place with special merit in 2022 and first place and Most Outstanding High School Newspaper in 2023 for a reason, and that is because of the strong work ethic The Lighthouse adviser Ms. Pastor inspires in her students.
It has been a pleasure learning from Ms. Pastor, as she has been an amazing mentor. Words cannot express how thankful I am to have had her as my teacher. She taught me that the newspaper is not only a source of information for a community but a form of artistic and linguistic expression.
My role as editor-in-chief has also given me opportunities that extend well beyond the school newspaper. For two summers, I attended the New Voices Student Leaders Institute where I learned about the First Amendment and ways to advocate for free speech rights. I gained the skills to feel confident advocating for my peers and writing an editorial about the monumental New Voices legislation in New Jersey.
Additionally, I proposed updates to our Lyndhurst School District policies to strengthen the rights of student journalists and teachers. It was invigorating and empowering to see the changes I proposed enacted by the Board of Education in November 2022.
No adjective can describe how grateful I am to have been on this staff. The past three years have provided me with an understanding of leadership, graphic design, writing and journalistic integrity that I will surely use during my undergraduate career at Montclair State University and beyond.
