As I look back on my four years of high school, I look at all of the things I have involved myself in. Whether it was being the secretary of Amherst FBLA, working on the yearbook, or being a member of Quiz Bowl and NHS, each one of those clubs have given different items that I will take with me as I go on towards college. The biggest thing I have done, however, is work on the Talon, our online newsmagazine.
For those who may not remember, I have been a part of The Talon since its inception in 2022, when I was a freshman. I still remember taking pictures of my coworker’s stat book after a game, then going home and writing a game recap. This newspaper started my work in journalism, and it gave me my first award, making me an award-winning journalist. Every story, every piece of photography, and every sports score showcases the hours and effort I have put into the Talon since day one, and I am grateful that four years later, the Talon is still thriving.
There are a lot of people to thank when it comes to my time here. The biggest thank you goes out to advisor Bill Van Lannen (affectionately known by the student body as Mr. Van, Van the Man, or THEE Mr. Van). He was the first person to truly trust me with publishing articles, and I am grateful to have had him as my advisor over the past four years.
Next at his side is yearbook advisor Merry Dudley (also known as Queen Merry). I have had the privilege of being on the yearbook staff for the past three years, and have been the editor for this past year. She has supported me and my ideas for the yearbook, as well as my writing here on the Talon, and I’m so thankful to have her in my corner through thick and thin.
To every athlete, coach, team, and student I have had the opportunity to cover over the past four years: Thank You. I write every article, broadcast every game, and photograph every event for you. I wouldn’t be in this position without the support, trust, and feedback from every single person. So, from the bottom of my heart, thank you for believing in me, thank you for trusting me, and thank you for supporting me through everything I have done since my freshman year.
If someone is reading this and thinks about joining the Talon for next year, I would say do it. Take the chance, make the leap, and reach out. It can open so many doors for you like it did with me. I promise you, it seems like it is a lot of work in the beginning, but it’s all worth it in the long run.
