Dear Green Pride Staff,

I’m sure all of these open letters have started to get annoying, considering this would be the fourth one you will have seen by the time the senior class will have graduated. However, being a senior on staff, I decided to follow everyone else’s theme of saying goodbye for their last story. Now, being the sarcastic person I am, I figured I should add a little bit of flavor to my story, so prepare yourself.

It started in Pre-AP World History (now known as AP Euro) my sophomore year. We were tasked to write a newspaper-esque story for a project, so Emma and I decided to partner up. After writing for a bit, Emma said I wasn’t awful at writing editorial-like stories, and I should join newspaper my junior year. Now, I was shocked that Emma even complimented me, so her recommendation completely flew over my head. To make a long story short, I found myself walking into the newspaper room to hand in an application, ready to start junior year.

I never would’ve expected a group of people to be so fun and hardworking at the same time.

Rylee, I know for a fact that you are one of the funniest people I’ve ever met, and I know that you’ll do a grand job next year on staff. Micah, even though you are a literal walking ball of stress on the verge of explosion, you’ll eventually find a happy medium between work and play. Johnny, you talked about 13 Reasons Why and Hamilton more than anyone I have ever met combined, but it’s a good thing you are passionate about something I guess. Reaghan, I’m not gonna lie, I even got slightly annoyed hearing you yell “mom” every five minutes, but it was all worth it in the end, seeing all the amazing things you did for the paper. Jack, we were friends outside of newspaper already (I think), but it was always nice being able to have another friend there, even though you weren’t always on task. Sam, I loved the flow, and don’t ever cut it unless it’s for styling purposes. Peyton, your work has been nothing but above average, and I’m excited to see what you’ll do in the future. Ally and Maya, I feel like I have to address you both together, since you are never apart. But you guys are always funny and spirited, and I hope that you don’t change. Kelly, Rachael and Kira, I always listened to all the tea that you all had to tell, and, let me tell you, it was fantastic. Ellie, I always looked forward to hearing your random jokes and stories that you told everyday. Lizzy, you were an icon and you better not mess up the staff next year without proper supervision. I’ll miss everyone on staff more than you could know.

Now, for the seniors on staff, words can’t describe how much fun I’ve had during my short two years on staff. My one regret in newspaper is not joining the cult earlier.

Sydney, you were one of the first people on staff to help me do even the most basic journalistic things, no matter how frustrating it was. Thank you for being an awesome Editor-in-Chief and mother to the staff, even though you probably popped a blood vessel having to explain to me the difference between InDesign and Photoshop.

Aneka, I have never met anyone who enjoyed memes as much as I do. The moment I discovered this, it seems as if a new friendship blossomed into an oddly colored flower; one that people thought looked fun, but stayed away from it because it was awkward.

Emma, I have known you since I was small, which sounds funny since I am not a small person. We went from best friends in first through fourth grade, decent friends seventh grade through freshman year, and back to best friends sophomore year and on. Despite all the ups and downs, and you saying how you don’t care every time I shared my opinion, I’ll miss the fun times and memories that we had.

To all the seniors on staff, I know we’re all going our separate ways, and it’s both sad and a happy thing. Although we didn’t all get along sometimes, I’ll never forget all of the memories we made going on strike and trying to get the paper sent out 10 minutes before we needed to.

Goodbye, Green Pride Staff, it’s been quite the party, and I expect a staff t-shirt next year.
Paden (Pedan)