Austin speaking:
Well, readers, looks like we’ve made it to issue eight, our final issue of the thirteenth volume of JagWire. This issue of the paper isn’t just special because it’s our last, but also because it’s our traditional senior edition. Every year JagWire gears this special issue towards – you guessed it – topics having to do with seniors and graduation. Us editors and our adviser realize this issue is inevitably a little less “journalistic,” as the topics tend to become a bit cliché and sappy, but it’s a blast to work on nonetheless. It’s also one of the most read issues of them all as it is distributed to students as well as parents at the school’s senior awards ceremony. We may not be unraveling some hard-hitting news story in this issue of the paper, but we are certainly creating something that both seniors and their parents alike will hold onto to look back on long after they’ve graduated. For myself, it’s so difficult to believe that this is our last issue as editors-in-chief. While I know I speak for all three of us when I say we are beyond ready to graduate, it’s going to be hard to let go of this paper which we care so much about. For this reason, I’m determined to make this last issue a great one.
Kristina speaking:
Our returning staff members are truly stepping it up this issue — and it makes me so proud! Sorry, I know it’s not journalistic to use exclamation points, but it was my first one this year and the placement was justified. Forgive me, journalism gods. It’s so strange working on our last newspaper issue of the year, I can’t believe this time of the year is already here. As Austin said, our senior issue doesn’t have any hard-hitting news in it, but is sure is a blast to write. We have a lot of stalking to do because we’re trying to put every senior into this last issue, and our reporters will go to great lengths to track every student down (finding lockers, seminars, first block classes… the works). I’m so happy to see every staff member doing their part to make this last issue the best issue.
Hanna speaking:
My favorite part of this issue is the fact that all future editors realize that this is their time to step up. Everyone who is returning next year is designing a page this issue, either by themselves or with an experienced designer. And I’ve been so pleased with the effort I’m seeing by staff members. Just today, sophomore Amber Nguyen stayed after school with me for almost three hours to work on her page design. It’s really exciting to see staff members get excited about doing something new for the paper. But as I realize how the sophomores and juniors are stepping up, I’ve also come to the realization that this means Austin, Kristina and I will be stepping down. And as much stress as this paper has caused me this year, I can’t imagine not being a part of it.
