It was eighth grade when I read “Sick Kids In Love” by Hannah Moskowitz when I knew I would join Wayne Valley’s newspaper. The idea of words on a paper being more than just for myself or family to see excited me more than anything. I had one plan, and there was nothing that could stop me: I will become a writer for the newspaper. 

When freshman year came around, I wasted no time by asking my English teacher, Ms. Condon, how I could join Smoke Signals. She provided me with all of the information, and I quickly became a frequent face in the classrooms for the general meetings, and even sticking around to edit some articles despite only being a Staff Writer. 

Looking back, the last four years of high school sped by faster than anyone could have prepared me with their ‘it goes by in a blink of an eye,’ speech, but the last 16 releases of the paper flew by even quicker. 

As I depart from Smoke Signals after the greatest four years the newspaper could have given me, going from Staff Writer, to Editor, to Editor-in-Chief, I’m beyond grateful for the knowledge I’ve gained, the skills I’ve learned, and the memories I’ve made. 

As I continue my education at Hampton University, I will major in Communications & Journalism, and I hope to also join the newspaper there—and maybe one day, I will become Editor-in-Chief there.