Farewell From Laurel Barrett (Co-Chief)
How do I say goodbye to the club that was the thread that weaved my 4 year story as a Gator into memories that will last a lifetime? Indeed, they are immortalized in the published words of all who have worked on this dedicated team. I’ll begin at the beginning as this chapter comes to an end.
I started working for The Chomp in 2021 as a freshman and had the privilege of being added to the editing team right away. I recalled being a middle schooler during Covid-19 and listening from the couch as my mom, our advisor, led Zoom planning meetings for The Chomp and its pandemic skeleton crew. I knew then from hearing the excited budding journalists bounce ideas off one another that this was something I needed to be a part of. Never having worked on a newspaper before, but having a love for writing and investigating, I was excited but so, so nervous. The Chief at the time was a seasoned senior who knew what she was doing and intimidated me a lot. I luckily got the hang of things pretty quickly, mostly due to the fact that our old site, S’more, was very simple to navigate.
As a senior, Ava, our Chief, found herself to be very busy towards the end of the year, so she trusted me to put issues together for a couple of months. I never would have imagined a freshman being able to assemble an entire publication. I immediately set my sights on filling her open role the next year after she graduated and knew that I couldn’t wait to hang around for the next few years and watch The Chomp continue to flourish. I was lucky to be given the title of Editor-in-Chief my sophomore year, after running unopposed, as there was a steep drop off of participants due to the pandemic.
I knew as a leader my main priority would be treating everyone in the club with kindness and making sure they felt like they were all on an even playing field. Being a leader only means something when you are causing positive change and bringing everyone together.
It was an honor to have been a part of the first year of the Journalism class last year and a privilege to work with a brand new group of budding journalists, as we learned to navigate the brand new professional newspaper website, SNO (Student Newspapers Online), together these past two years and watch as the club grew with each new school year.
Even though I’m graduating this year and will be passing on the torch to the new Editor-in-Chief, Abria Joshua, and Managing Editor, Hazel Foster, I will always keep The Chomp in my bookmarks bar and excitedly read what these bright and curious Gators and their new staff writers create each month. I thank Abria and Hazel for stepping up similarly when some senior months left both myself and Kalise feeling threadbare in time. They are more than ready to steer this meager ship we’ve kept afloat and grow it into something even more robust.
A newspaper is a very special space. Late-night editing, last-minute scrounging to fill a category, navigating controversial pieces, you name it. While these aspects can be challenging, I wouldn’t give any of them up. Being an Editor-in-Chief for two years, and Co-Chief with Kalise this past year, taught me how to work hard, make connections with people, lead a team, collaborate with anyone, and so much more. I can’t wait to put the skills I grew to use in college when I work on The Williams Record as a writer, and hopefully an eventual editor.
To our staff, Gateway administration, the GRHS Board of Education, Ms. Barrett (Advisor/Mom), Dean Johnson of FSJ, and #1–OUR DEDICATED READERS, thank you for giving my voice a platform. This position has taught me grit, fostered mutual respect and care, and allowed me to both bestow and grow confidence.
It’s always a great day to be a Gator, and it’s been a phenomenal four years.
Over and out, Gators!
Laurel Barrett, Co-Editor-in-Chief
Farewell From Kalise Miller, Co-Chief
Being a part of The Chomp for the last few years has been so wonderful. When I began high school, I didn’t really know what I wanted to do as a career. When I took over the morning announcements as a freshman, I discovered that I just love talking, especially to an audience. That year, I also completed a project on news reporters in Mr Pridy’s TV Broadcasting class. But, I still didn’t see journalism as a career I would like to pursue. Though, I had always enjoyed reading articles by students from The Chomp in Dr. Pierro’s newsletters.
Sophomore year, we were finally able to produce video announcements to send out across the school. This is when my eyes were finally opened to journalism as a career path. I discovered how much I loved the idea of reporting stories of those whose voices needed to be heard. I loved how journalism brings people together. This is when I finally joined The Chomp.
The next year, I became an editor! I started writing more deep dives and varied the types of stories I produced. I was able to make connections with new staff writers and help develop those who would go on to take over as I became Co-Chief with Laurel. It was so inspiring to see their passion for journalism and helped me solidify my love for it as well.
I am so excited to take all I’ve learned from these past few years and use it to help me further develop my own skills in college. I am majoring in journalism at Kean University and cannot wait to take advantage of their various journalism opportunities.
Thank you so much to Laurel, Ms. Barrett, and the entire staff for making my years at Gateway so perfect. The Chomp is in very good hands next year.
It’s been a blessing to inform and entertain you!
Kalise Miller, Co-Editor-in-Chief