By Emma Wu
The East Side News has been a part of my journey since freshman year all the way till now, a senior ready for college. I still remember my first newspaper club meeting, online through Zoom. It was the COVID-19 pandemic in my freshman year when Wednesdays were completely virtual. All of our newspaper meetings were held online, but even then, when it was difficult for people to truly connect with each other, through the club, I felt the care, joy, and genuine desire to write and spread news to the people. Everyone wanted to make others feel welcome, to feel comfortable in their own writing style and in conversations around the table about news. I felt this sentiment and respect through the screen, and when school started in person, I felt it even more so in my heart.
Each generation of writers comes and goes. From freshman to junior year, with each class of graduating seniors, I always thought to myself “what will we do when they’re gone?” I felt the loss of their presence in our newspaper club and wondered how we would be able to live up to the legacy they left. Yet, each year, the new faces and new writers filled that gap. We would all take a step up and pick up right where the graduating class left off. Yes, although they may have left, we continue their legacy. This is what the East Side News has been doing for years and years. Now, as a senior, I do not feel the least bit apprehensive about leaving this club in the hands of the existing and future members. I know that there are those that will step up to the challenge and continue this legacy of writing, spreading news, and teaching others. I know that our school paper will continue to live for as long as there are writers. I know that it is time for me to leave this club but understand that it will never leave my heart.
Good luck to all of our members, both existing and future! Thank you for all of your support through the years and thank you for continuing your support for years to come! Thank you to the East Side News for this wonderful journey I have had!
I sign off on this letter now, knowing that generations and generations of writers will always have the East Side News to come to. And for that, I am grateful.
