After Four Years of Tusitala

I still vividly remember my first day of journalism class in 2022, when I was a wide-eyed ninth-grader stepping into something entirely new. The room was alive with chatter and laughter, stories from the summer still lingering in the air. Most of the students were upperclassmen, and I remember feeling both intimidated and heartened by their presence. When Mr. Dale Hinckley asked us to share what brought us to the class, I admitted that I had been inspired by a character from a favorite show. Season four of Stranger Things had just come out, and watching Nancy Wheeler solve a mystery through grassroots investigation made me want to become a journalist, too. I think the seniors thought this to be cute, because they all gave an approving chuckle. 

The class turned out to be nothing as I had imagined, but somehow, it was even better. I wasn’t chasing supernatural mysteries or manually laying out a newspaper on a press. Instead, I found a uniquely collaborative space where students across all four grades came together to create something meaningful. Being under the wing of talented, experienced writers pushed me to grow, and their mentorship deepened my passion for journalism, convincing me to stay for the entirety of my years here. I was entranced by the shared sense of curiosity, purpose, enthusiasm, and devotion.

There is something so special about being in a room full of people who love to write, revise, and refine. Ideas bounce between voices, taking shape into something gingerly articulated. Hearing that collective mmm of support around the room, the unspoken agreement to keep pushing each other, eventually became a source of joy and comfort for me. I feel incredibly lucky to have spent years in this space, and the Tusitala will always be a part of who I am. 

One of the most important lessons this class has taught me is adaptability. Over four years, the class has had five different teachers, each with their own style and expectations. Every shift required adjustment, not simply in structure, but in mindset. At the same time, the class itself was constantly evolving. Every year, our team would let go of the senior writers and welcome underclassmen, embracing the undulating and ever-changing waves of the class members. There is something bittersweet about that cycle, but it made the experience richer. 

By senior year, that adaptability was tested through leadership. As Editor-in-Chief, I stepped into a role that challenged me more than anything before. With only five students in the class, producing a publication for the entire school felt overwhelming. There were moments of doubt, but I learned that leadership is about creating momentum when there is none. I shared what I had learned, built a sense of community, and found small ways to keep us motivated, whether that meant bringing snacks or taking time to connect as a team with a game.

Slowly, that effort paid off. What began as a hesitant group grew into a team that took pride in its work. Watching that transformation was one of the most rewarding parts of my experience. It reminded me that journalism isn’t just about the final product, but about the people behind it.

Above all, journalism has taught me to appreciate the power of the written word. In a world dominated by fast-paced media and fleeting attention, there is something meaningful about slowing down to read and write with intention. Words have the power to inform, connect, and inspire. Journalism has become a part of me, something I know I will carry forward. I’ve poured so much of my heart into the Tusitala, and I cannot wait to see how it continues to grow.