It’s important to preface my story with the fact that I had no intention of becoming a student journalist when I started Gateway; in fact, I didn’t even like writing that much. Now I am a senior struggling to accurately describe the impact The Chomp and everyone involved has had on me. The Chomp made it into every scholarship application, personal essay, interview this year, and probably most conversations as well.
I joined Gateway in 10th grade, after a particularly rough freshman year. The composition class at my old school had killed my confidence and love of writing, and I felt defeated going into 10th grade. Almost by accident, or fate, I ended up in the founding class of Journalism and Student Publications.
During my initial enrollment, I signed up for the Creative Writing class simply because it sounded like the only interesting elective. Two weeks later, I took a tour of Gateway with Mrs. Little during which I saw a poster for Journalism. Back at Mrs. Little’s office, she asked me to repeat my class choice as she had misplaced the original paper, and I switched from Creative Writing to Journalism without really thinking it through. Reflecting on this spur-of-the-moment decision, I think it was because my least favorite assignment of 9th-grade composition was creative writing. I realized I did not really want to do an entire year of creative writing (though I’m sure the class at Gateway is amazing, this isn’t me coming after them).
Within two months of the start of school, Ms. Barrett saw potential in me and asked me to become a Copy Editor. I felt grossly unqualified; after all, I had only written one article so far, but Ms. Barrett told me that I could do it and it wouldn’t be much additional work. Looking back at that, I have to laugh since The Chomp is by far the club I’ve devoted the most time to, but there was no way of knowing that three years ago. In the end, I did agree to it, which brings me to the first thing I love about The Chomp.
Ms. Barrett has this amazing ability to see potential in people and build their confidence, which directly translates to The Chomp. As an editor and now Editor-in-Chief, I have often felt challenged beyond my abilities, but Ms. Barrett is always there to support me and help me develop the skills I need. I don’t think I would be half the leader I am now if she hadn’t seen that potential in me during 10th grade. I’ve navigated the club through controversial articles, motivational issues, and generally the highs and lows of high school, none of which would have been possible without Ms. Barrett’s support.
But of course, a leader is nothing without their people, which is why I want to highlight our Chomp writers and editors. They have really created a strong community built on active participation in the school, their education, and the world. I’ve been in plenty of student organizations, and I think it is really rare to find a group like this. Our writers are always looking into new, interesting topics, and they devote a ton of time and effort to making really high-quality articles.
As I said during my last-ever meeting of The Chomp, Gateway is a small school, and so it can be challenging to develop a student journalism program, but despite that our program is really strong!
One of the best parts about being an editor for three years is seeing the growth of students’ abilities. I’ve seen firsthand students go from really hesitant writers to incredibly strong communicators. Through the years, students develop these skills of writing, communication, and teamwork. So I want to acknowledge all the work the writers put in and encourage them to continue pushing themselves forward. Overall, this purposeful engagement in their education and the world around them really makes a difference.
The other really important group is the editors. While I am very sad to leave, I know I leave The Chomp in amazing hands with our next Editor-in-Chief and one of my closest friends, Hazel Foster, and the rest of the editing team. Throughout this year, they have all stepped up in various ways to make the newspaper happen and shown a real interest in fostering this community. I’ve been so blessed to lead such an amazing team; they really make my job a million times easier!
Going off to college, I often feel like my future is uncertain, but I know that the skills I learned through The Chomp and the people I met will stay with me, aiding me in the journey I have ahead. I look forward to writing for Eckerd’s school newspaper The Current, and I also look forward to reading future editions of The Chomp. It will be weird being on the receiving side of the newspaper, but I’m really excited to see what everyone achieves!
Before I close my last article, I want to stress the importance of student journalism. Across the country, we see student journalism decreasing, which is a truly unfortunate trend, for student journalism is such a unique experience that teaches very valuable skills. It builds confidence, writing abilities, time management, communication, but most importantly, it teaches youth that they can speak out and make a difference. I urge Gateway staff to promote The Chomp to their students, for it will equip them with valuable tools for this world. And I encourage Gateway students to join The Chomp, practice their writing, care for others, and the world around them.
I will end this article with a quote from Robert F. Kennedy’s Ripple of Hope speech (I encourage you to read the whole thing), “Few will have the greatness to bend history itself, but each of us can work to change a small portion of events. It is from numberless diverse acts of courage and belief that human history is shaped.” The Chomp prepares students to be a part of that larger change and to write (or report) history.
I thank the people who led The Chomp before me for developing it into what it is now, everyone who has written for it, the people who will lead it after me and make it even better, our advisor Ms. Barrett, Gateway’s Administrators, and our faithful readers. You have all contributed to something much bigger than yourself and have been such an important part of my high school journey. I can’t wait to read the first articles in September and get updates about The Chomp while I’m in college.
