When I started at Littleton in 2019, I was extremely uncertain about who I was and what I wanted to do with my life. I joined every club that would let me in to compensate for how bored I felt in my classes.
I read the Lions Roar Now to learn more about LHS and I knew I had to join. I applied for Newspaper in February 2020 and interviewed in March. And then the silliest thing happened.
When Covid hit, it felt like an act of God. I was extremely depressed and struggled to make friends during my freshman year. This excuse to stay home every day significantly improved my mental health because I no longer endured the unbearable loneliness of school.
When I joined the Newspaper staff my sophomore year, I only met my classmates in the A-L cohort. Four out of the five of us were sophomores and the one junior rarely showed up to class. In short, we were going in blind. And I’m so grateful that I stuck with it.
Even during Google Meets in the dead of winter, I felt so connected to the staff. We shared candid stories about our experiences with body image, discussed and processed the January 6th insurrection in real-time, and remotely redesigned our website. Slowly but surely, we found our footing in a precarious world. And that quasi-normalcy gave me something to hold on to.
My junior year was my first real year of Newspaper, (mostly) free from the looming presence of covid. I grew strong friendships with my classmates and for the first time in years, felt like I was a true member of something bigger than myself.
Being Editor-in-Chief of this paper has been the highlight of my time at Littleton. I frankly don’t know where I would be without it. Yes, Newspaper has helped me grow my journalism skills. But more than anything, it has given me a community to come home to.
I am so grateful for everyone who has helped me through the ardor of high school. In particular, my friends and family have given me a life to be excited about. Thank you to Ms. Chase for believing in me even when I was certain of my inadequacy. And of course, thank you to the entire staff for your endless support and humor. Your creativity, talent, enthusiasm, and intelligence feels like home. I know you will all achieve great things if you trust yourselves.
To anyone who is struggling to find a reason to keep going, know that it will get better. There is so much light in this world if you are willing to look for it. Find compassion for yourself, I promise you it’s worth it. You are worthy of love and happiness. Someday, you will look at your life and realize the importance of every moment.
When I walk across the stage to receive my diploma, I will know in my heart that I am leaving high school a happier person, full of more love than I ever thought possible. Thank you LHS for making that feasible.
