The cliché is true: Time flies when you are having fun. I can hardly believe the moment has come to bid farewell, not only to my friends and teachers, but to one of the programs that made me into the person I am today: my journalism class.
Reflecting on my time as editor in chief, I realize how honored I am to have led such a longstanding tradition and shared mission: publishing a monthly newspaper. I will never forget the moment when the previous editor in chief found me in the hallway during Collaboration – Now called Block E8ight – last year and pulled me aside to tell me the news that I would be the next editor in chief of The Catalyst. In that moment, waves of emotions hit me. I was shocked, thrilled, excited and, most of all, honored to be joining the long line of amazing past editors in chief. Like them, I am proud to say that I made this paper my own and have learned valuable lessons unlike any I have gained through previous leadership experiences.
First – and to borrow another cliche – with great power comes great responsibility. While part of my job was making the final calls and being someone to look up to, I have learned that, even in a position of leadership, it is imperative to value and consider others’ perspectives with genuine care and authenticity, rather than letting status create distance. I have also discovered there is truth to the saying, “Diamonds are made under pressure.” There were stressful moments: last-minute changes during the weekend of proofreading, having to pull stories from print and quickly come up with new ones and, of course, the day-to-day pressures of meeting deadlines. Yet, our newspaper was always sent to the printer on schedule, and every issue was better than the last.
I have also come to understand how adaptable I am and that I am quicker than I think. Having a learning difference made reading and writing stressful and, growing up, I especially hated writing – ironic given where I am now. Those insecurities carried into high school, but with each issue, I worked to overcome those fears and realized that speed does not equal success. Learning that lesson has helped me heal parts of my younger self, and I know kindergarten-Page would be proud of how far I have come.
Like every month-long issue, success takes time, and the journey is not linear. Mistakes are bound to happen, but it is how you approach them that defines you as a leader. When editors approached me with concerns about their pages, I would work with them to develop last-minute solutions. Part of the job is being able to think on your feet and act strategically, and not from a place of anxiety – a skill I have grown in this class, but learned in mock trial. I have had to trust my instincts and remind myself that everything would work out – Something that is especially difficult for someone with control issues. Ultimately, these moments pushed me to grow not only as a leader, but as a person. I became more adaptable, patient and confident in my decision-making, learning to embrace uncertainty, rather than nervousness in high-pressure situations.
Despite all of the trials and tribulations, I would not change a single thing about my experience with running the newspaper. However, I cannot take all of the credit for each issue, as every edition reflects the creativity and dedication of section editors, staff writers and the guidance of our journalism adviser, Robert Rojas. They are all pivotal in the mission of creating a monthly edition, and their work is invaluable to our success. Because of this shared effort, my time working on the newspaper has not only been collective but deeply transformative.
Being editor in chief has been more than just a title or something to add to a college resume; this role has been a true privilege – one that has allowed me to lead, collaborate and help tell the stories of our school community. Through my experiences not just as editor in chief, but also as a co-news editor, I have realized I have a true passion for writing, which I hope to carry into future pursuits of being a criminal attorney and writing for “The Tulane Hullabaloo,” Tulane University’s student newspaper.
This program has been pivotal in my high school experience. Each late night, each last-minute problem and each success has taught me something new about myself and the role of a journalist. Whether out in the field reporting on a protest or a school rally, I have learned that a true journalist is committed to their audience and their team – a lesson applicable in all phases of life. As I close this chapter, I leave with far more than memories or bylines. I leave with confidence, resilience and a deeper understanding of the power of storytelling. “The Catalyst” has shaped who I am, and I know the lessons I learned will stay with me forever.
