June 22, 2021
As I reminisce about the past four years, I’m really happy that I was able to get out of my comfort zone and join The Lighthouse, which has allowed me to combine my love of writing and art.
My advice to the future staff members of The Lighthouse is don’t be afraid to put yourself out there even if you think people are going to judge you because here at the newspaper, we’re more than just staff members. We see each other as close friends and consider some even as family, as this has been an organization where no one judged anyone for their ideas, which I really appreciated.
If you join our school’s publication, you have to be prepared to work hard and, most importantly, meet your deadlines.
I was a very shy kid coming into high school, but The Lighthouse adviser Ms. Pastor always tried to include everyone when it came to the editing process. She and the editors engaged the whole class not only in academic tasks and activities but also trivia and creative assignments.
I’m not going to lie and say it was all fun and games. If you join our school’s publication, you have to be prepared to work hard and, most importantly, meet your deadlines. In order for The Lighthouse to function, the staff has to operate as a cohesive team. Therefore, as long as the students are willing to do their part and put the effort into their assignments, this publication will continue to thrive.
What I’m going to miss most about The Lighthouse is editorial cartooning. Those cartoons were so fun to create, and they helped me improve my artistic skills and strengthen my attention to detail.
I will also miss the excitement that came with the announcement of the Garden State Scholastic Press Association awards. The staff has managed to consistently make The Lighthouse one of the best school newspapers in New Jersey.
Now that I am graduating, it feels like the end of an era.
My fellow seniors Alexa Borino, Anthony DeMarco, Emma Ferschweiler, Alex Shapiro: I am thankful that we started out as sophomores in the same journalism class. When we joined the program, we were relatively amateur, but fast forward to where we are now. We have grown and improved in our individual areas of expertise.
It’s crazy to see how much I’ve progressed not just as writer and artist but as a person. In the fall, I will be attending Seton Hall University in South Orange, New Jersey. I look forward to joining the staff of The Setonian, the university’s undergraduate newspaper, and pursuing a bachelor’s degree in journalism.
