Throughout these past four years, The Smoke Signal has transformed me into the person I am today. From planning event coverage, breaking the news, and staying up until early hours of the morning to edit articles, it is impossible to see myself doing anything else. In fact, it has led me to pursue journalism as a career.
Going into this school year, I was unsure of how it would play out with the majority of last year’s editorial board heading off to college. Now passing the torch, I can say that we were successful as a publication.
As we’ve strived to grow as a news outlet by finding the best ways to tell stories and reach our audience, it has been challenging to take a step back and see all the work we’ve been able to produce. While I’ve been on staff, The Smoke Signal has been ranked the number one publication in New Jersey for the last three consecutive years.
Our reporting also continues to improve, thanks to our journalists who always ask the questions that nobody wants to ask. From this, our in-depth stories have allowed us to shed light on issues and spread awareness within the community.
Outside of our coverage, I’ve also seen our team of reporters and editors, whether current students or alumni, form into a close-knit community. Bonding over Rawson’s chocolate chip cookies and munchkins, pushing through three-hour work sessions, fooling around in the journalism class, and travelling to national conferences in Chicago and Washington, D.C., everyone on staff has become family to me — and I’ve managed to be with them more than my own.
It has been a privilege to work with so many dedicated reporters over the last few years. All of us are not afraid to take risks and push ourselves out of our comfort zones, making no topic off limits for covering. Without our collective efforts and sacrifices, we could not operate as a publication. It has been an honor to serve as editor in chief, and the friends I’ve made (even my boyfriend) and lessons I’ve learned will always stick with me in my future endeavors.
I’d like to thank everyone on this year’s editorial board: Matt Austin, Julia Chiola, Ava DeVincenzo, Victoria Donofrio, Spencer Goldstein, Ellie Kim, BJ McGrane, Hailey Migdal, Katie Mullaney, Ilmie Xhaferi, and Izzy Zuluaga. Specifically, I want to thank my co-Editor in Chief, Mullaney — despite us being opposites, we truly make the best pair, and I couldn’t have done this without you by my side. I also have no doubts with passing the torch to Goldstein and Kim, who both have set themselves apart with their work ethics and will uphold our reputation and excellence into next year.
I’m also grateful for the administration (shout-out to district Superintendent Erik Gundersen and former Principal Tom DeMaio) and all of the sources for my articles. Whether I’ve interviewed you about topics ranging from school events to community issues, thank you for giving me your time and being open to talking.
Most importantly, I’m thankful for the one and only Rawson. The Smoke Signal would not be the same without his dedication and support. Behind the scenes, he spends countless hours attending meetings, teaching our staff the ropes, and pushing us to reach for the stars. Rawson always advocates for us, both inside or outside the classroom, whether we realize it or not — he truly is the backbone of the publication.
Rawson does not receive the credit he deserves. Every award and recognition comes from his hard work. Thank you for being my role model and having faith in me.
While I’m moving on, The Smoke Signal is not going anywhere. I cannot wait to check the website daily from my dorm room at New York University next year.
Thank you for these four years, Smoke Signal. I bid you farewell.
Photos by Matt Austin / Victoria Donofrio / Smoke Signal File Photos