As young people, we are not supposed to know everything and it is important to accept failure and the art of not knowing. The beauty that comes with simply learning is unparalleled. Something that I have loved is accepting the fact that I really don’t know anything. I have read books and studied history and worked to understand the world, society and humanity. But the real test of my knowledge is not an essay or a multiple choice bubble test. The real test will be when I walk out of the doors of Truckee High for the last time, and cross the stage, turn my tassel, and start the next phase of my life.
The four years I have spent at Truckee High School have changed and formed me just as a transitional learning period, like high school, should. I have learned the importance of connection, learning, hard work, responsibility, resilience, and maturity.
Petty drama and the immature things that I had on my mind as a freshman feel so distant. Looking back I realize the mistakes that I had made and the faults that I may have had. But I was too clouded by my own self absorbed thoughts and ambitions to see what I was doing. As I have grown from those situations and truly made connections, and reconnections with people who mean so much to me is more rewarding than completing high school with perfect grades.
Not only have I been taught by teachers in a classroom, but I have also been taught by my peers and situations. The four years of high school are meant to change you. You have done it wrong if you are the same person leaving as you were going into it. You should grow and change, all while staying true to the person that you are. Finding morals that are important to yourself and who you want to be.
Entering as a freshman I was confident in my academic capabilities. But the mental and social growth that I needed to undergo was also part of the process and was far more transformative than academics.
Some of the most pivotal moments in my high school career are connected to things that I have done outside of a graded class. Outside of doing things that will be reflected on my final transcript. Something that I have worked on tirelessly for the last four years is the very publication in which you are reading.
From a simple idea as a freshman, to seeing it come to life as a sophomore and helping it flourish as a junior, to now saying goodbye and leaving it to younger peers as a senior, The Truckee Times and journalism have proved to be far more than a passion project. The complexities that are connected to creating and sustaining a student publication are far more than most can imagine.
Journalism in its purest, simplest form is writing and sharing news. But it is deeper and more complex than that. It connects people, spreads truth, ignites people’s stories and voices, and amplifies voices that might otherwise go unheard.
The Truckee Times has been something that I have poured my heart and soul into over the past few years of my high school career. Journalism has created an avenue for people to express themselves and share their stories and interests and the news.
But not only have we created a publication for news, but we have created a family.
From the day that The Truckee Times was launched in October 2022, up until now, it has done nothing but grow. Now it is flourishing with new voices who will take on the publication and help it expand and continue to thrive.
Leaving behind a legacy is something that everyone wants to do during their high school career. But truly, it isn’t about what other people think about you, and what you did, how many awards you won, how well you did in sports, or even getting the best grades. High school is teaching us how to live and be humans in the real world. It is our trial run. Sometimes it isn’t taken seriously. But finding the balance between having fun and focusing is so important. The final days of high school come to a close and leave behind the lessons, friendships, memories and connections that will be our legacy.
Close thank you for being there for me and us during this adventure. And to The Truckee Times successors, embrace the crazy. Managing a publication is never easy but it is so worth it. Make the most of your high school years. Thank you for having me as the first managing editor of The Truckee Times, I have lived for every second of it.
LH signing out.
