I joined The Blue & Gold my freshman year because I loved sports and I thought I was sort of good at writing, but mostly because I loved sports in more ways than just playing it.
When I walked into the room freshman year, I was an awkward 14-year-old who did not know how to approach upperclassman or, quite frankly, anyone I did not already know.
I did not realize at the time how much the class would mean to in these four years and the pride I would build in my involvement with the student publication.
I can honestly say that this has been one of the highlights of my four years at Malden High and I am going to miss the class and my peers very much.
The class has helped with way more than just improving my writing skills. Beyond that and my evolution as a reporter, The Blue & Gold has allowed me to get comfortable with own awkwardness and sense of humor and eventually really sharpen my leadership skills.
I went from dreading approaching the senior varsity athletes when I was assigned to cover cross country my freshman year to chasing down four different interviewees in one day, including one in the middle of the street, in the face of a fast approaching deadline.
From the very beginning, I built a strong relationships with my editors. It was from the recollection of how approachable and kind they were to me that inspired me when I took on leadership positions junior and senior year.
My fondest memory in the class was most definitely writing the Super Bowl story following the Patriots’ stunning victory over the Falcons during my sophomore year. Our print deadline was the morning following Super Bowl Sunday and I was at a watch party at my friend’s house, furiously jotting down notes. In addition to how the thrilling the game turned out to be and the jubilant environment at the watch party,
I really felt the pressure of the deadline that was coming next morning and finished the 1,000 word front page story at 3:30 am. I have stayed up late for other school assignments before and although I do not think that article was my best work, never have I felt more like a real journalist than with that story.
One of the things I have loved the most this year is that after every print edition we put out, my calculus teacher Ms. Mateeva would ask me if I had any columns in the newspaper for that edition. She turned out to be my most loyal reader and it meant the world to me when at the end of the year she suggested that I keep writing.
And I think I will.
