It’s hard to believe that this is the last Wyvern’s Tale I’ll ever write! I remember being in Ms. Schieffelin’s journalism elective wearing a mask, sitting in a row of desks due to pandemic restrictions. It feels like so long ago and just yesterday at the same time.
When I finally joined the staff as an Associate Features Editor, I was eager to contribute to the paper in any way I could, taking in all of the advice and lessons I received from my editors to prepare myself for a leadership role. In my final year on the KO News, I couldn’t be more grateful to serve as Editor in Chief and I have truly had the best time working with our incredibly talented staff.
First, I owe the biggest thank you to Ms. Schieffelin. No matter if it was a late-night text about a random question or a stop by her office in the middle of the day, she always had the right thing to say. This year would not have been possible without her and I’m forever thankful for the invaluable guidance and mentorship she has given me. Whether it was KO News-related or not, her kindness, patience, and generosity have inspired the type of leader and person I hope to become. Everyone who knows Ms. Schieffelin knows that it is truly a privilege to get to work with her and I couldn’t be luckier to spend the rest of my last semester at KO with her as my Senior Thesis teacher. Ms. Schieffelin, I could seriously never thank you enough, but I am so grateful for everything you have done for me!
Second, thank you to Raine, Emma, and Ava for being the best managing editors I could ever ask for. You all truly made my job so much easier and knowing that I could always count on you was a huge relief. Your passion and commitment has made an impact on so many and positively influenced the paper in countless ways.
Lastly, I want to thank the entire staff for their dedicated efforts and enthusiasm they brought to every publication. Going into this year, we knew our staff was on the smaller side, but through everyone’s unwavering discipline and positive attitudes, we proved how much we could accomplish!
As much as the KO News has helped me fine-tune my writing style and editing skills, I want to take this moment to share some of the most important lessons I have learned that extend far beyond this paper. Although cliche, the first is to not shy away from taking risks. The best example I have of this is the very first article I ever published in the KO News when I was a freshman. I decided to write an opinion piece about why I believed KO should have a required racial literacy course. The truth is I was absolutely terrified to publish this article, but thanks to the support of Ms. Schieffelin and other staff members, it wouldn’t be the last piece I published. As we all know, it can be scary to put your voice out there, but the KO News is a true testament to the power of believing in yourself and others. In my time on the staff, I have taken so many risks, including applying for editor-in-chief which is something I doubted if I was capable of. However, each of these risks have allowed me to find things I truly enjoy and am passionate about.
My second piece of advice is to cherish the small moments and live in the present. I’m sure the senior class has heard this advice over and over again, but time really does go by fast. In 20 years, you may not remember the article you wrote for the February 2024 edition of the KO News, but you will remember eating pizza with your friends at a Monday night planning meeting, or a meaningful interview you had with your favorite teacher. In whatever way you spend your time, whether it’s Model UN or a varsity sport, take time to appreciate the little things and enjoy the moment.
When I look back at the time I have spent on the paper, I think of all the stories we have documented and covered as journalists. From boys basketball winning three KIT championships in a row, to inspiring musical performances, talented Symposium authors, and prom dances, I’m reminded of the true power our paper holds in bringing our community together and keeping alive our best memories and moments. I can not wait to see what the KO News will become in the future and always know that you can count on me as a dedicated reader. As a final note, I want to express my immense gratitude for this opportunity and everything the KO News has taught me these past four years!
