By Beza Kifle
Dear OnLion,
After going through 3 and a half years of writing so many different stories about our school, I wanted to share a little bit of my own.
I still remember filling out my application to Newspaper. I sat down with a friend at the black hightops in my 8th science classroom writing out why I liked to write. I didn’t really think I did, though, since I was more of a reader, especially having read 30 books in my first semester of 8th grade.
Still, my love for stories and the opportunity to explore the community around me showed me how much of a great opportunity it would be to join the Newspaper, even if it was only for a year.
I walked into 219 and sat in a green spinning chair in the back of the room with some of the other freshman girls in my grade. Mr. Newman’s outgoing and welcoming energy showed me that I would be having a fun, enjoyable year ahead of me.
During the first couple of days, Mr. Newman introduced our first assignment, the annual Back on the Bank special, and our Beats. I was assigned to 9th grade with fellow reporter Keya Nijhawan. Watching those older than me, I learned how to conduct interviews, write my notes, and share the story that someone gave me in only a few minutes.
Period 2 gave me a much-needed boost during the year and during the school day, especially having to deal with the transition to the Upper School and taking harder classes. I will never forget he laughs that we shared as we talked about the most random things.
When course requests came out around that March, I didn’t even hesitate to put Newspaper down again, captivated by my new ability to go out and get stories. Mr. Newman showed me how to put my voice into my writing. I appreciated learning that it doesn’t need to be as “formulaic” as essays are, and this insight helped me learn how to improve my writing style, something I will be forever appreciative of.
Four years have flown so fast that I cannot even begin to comprehend how this will be my last article for the OnLion. Having written 54 articles over my time at the OnLion, I have explored almost every aspect of our school, from the grade floor that was introduced my sophomore year to what it’s like dating someone from Westminister for my junior year Valentine’s Day article.
To Mr.New-dawg, thank you for the countless laughs, but most importantly, thank you for pushing me to get out of my comfort zone. I learned so much more than just writing an article in this class; I learned how to look at the world around me, and for that, I am so thankful. I have loved having you every year, and I don’t know what I’m going to do next semester!
To my fellow reporters, those who have already graduated, and those who will come afterward, thank you for being there with smiles on your faces and warm, welcoming energy. I have loved talking to all of you, and I will miss seeing y’all every day!
The OnLion has been my family over the past couple of years, and I will always look back at the countless memories with a smile and a lot of love.
With love and signing off,
Beza Kifle
