I learned about Smoke Signals at the beginning of my Junior year. During this time, my passion for writing sparked, and joining the club was the best way to go about this new interest of mine. When I joined the club, I was an average writer. Still, the welcoming environment and constant words of affirmation from Mrs. Nazarko helped me become not only a better writer but also more aware of the importance of writing articles for the sake of our community. Now, I’m no longer just writing articles; I am the one editing them. 

After continuing as a staff writer for Smoke Signals, I understood the importance of speaking my mind and discussing important, but overlooked issues. I began researching the world and social media, and eventually, that became a common theme I wrote about. Somewhere along this journey, I fell completely in love with writing issues that mattered and that allowed people to become aware of the modern world. 

This club brought to light a passion to understand more about the world we live in and a curiosity I didn’t even realize existed in me until the moment I started writing. Being part of Smoke Signals has given me a reason to dig deeper and care about stories beyond my own. I’ve learned how powerful it is to speak your mind and the importance of curiosity to navigate our modern world. I can’t believe that my time with Smoke Signals has come to an end, but I will forever be grateful for all the experiences and memories this club has given me.