Signing Off: A Letter from the Editor-in-Chief
Informative. Impartial. Independent.
These three words have guided all I have wanted to achieve as a journalist, editor, and editor-in-chief while at The Griffins’ Nest. After serving a year in each of these roles, my time at The Nest has come to a close.
Being a part of this grand experiment has been one of the most rewarding experiences in my life. During my time with this paper, I have been so proud to see the growth we have had, both in the skills and quality of our reporters, and in the scale and reach of the reporting we do.
I have always envisioned The Nest as both a vehicle of learning and as a newspaper that provides only the best coverage of the events that matter to our readers. I am very proud of the amazing progress we have made in both areas.
It is often hard to believe that all our reporters, all the people who write enthusiastically and tirelessly for this paper, are still high school students. Looking back to the start of this year, there has been a massive increase in the quality of each and every reporter’s work, from their understanding of journalism as a whole, to syntax, interviewing, writing, and even any ethical considerations they might face while covering a topic. That improvement in quality and understanding is worthy of praise.
And the coverage we have provided, the hundreds of articles, have reached nearly every individual at Hamber, and then some. I hope that every person who has read one of our articles left feeling a bit more informed and a bit more connected to their community.
Informative. Impartial. Independent.
These three words are what it means to be a student journalist in this modern era. I have always believed that what The Nest was, what The Nest is, and what The Nest will be should follow these words. We are nothing without our principles. These words are the basis of how I guided the paper during my leadership.
Being Editor-in-Chief is not a job that exists in a vacuum. Doing what I did would not have been possible without the help and effort put in by everyone who wanted to make The Nest better. In that vein, I would like to offer a few words of recognition to those who built our paper from the ground up.
To every member of Hamber’s community, to every person who has ever picked up a copy of The Nest, I thank you. This is what it is all for, for our readers. We would be nothing without the people who decide time and time again to be informed about the important issues that affect them.
To reporters that I leave behind: keep on reporting! Keep uplifting voices, keep challenging the status quo, and keep challenging yourself. Remember: being nervous is a part of the process. Being unsure is a part of the process. I was once where you are now, unsure of myself and my abilities, but with practice and some guidance the work becomes second nature. And know that for every piece you write, every story you uncover, you are making a difference. There is a lot to achieve and only so much time. But with effort, you can grow and improve as a journalist in every way of the word. You have the passion and the skills to change the world, only if you grasp the opportunity.
To my fellow editors who are graduating this year: it has been an honour and a privilege to work with you. I have been constantly impressed and humbled by the work you have put out, the impact you have had, and the attitude that each and every one of you have taken in order to make our paper the best it can possibly be. The contributions you have made to student journalism will have a lasting legacy at our school and throughout the province. I extend a deep gratitude and thanks to Executive Editor Alanna Rudolph (12), Executive Editor Ellis Jackson (12), Design & Layout Editor Teresa Chen (12), and Managing Editor Simone Hamilton (12).
The Nest’s teacher sponsor, Mr. A. Wightman (Social Studies), has approached his role as an advisor with zeal and purpose. He stood by the newspaper and all that it fights for throughout the year, always willing to fight for press freedom. Although The Nest is operationally and editorially independent from Hamber staff, the advice and contributions from Mr. Wightman have been invaluable.
Spencer Izen, the Editor-in-Chief of The Nest from 2020 to 2022, taught me everything I know about journalism. He brought me into the paper when I was in grade 10, jumpstarting my foray into the field. Without him, I would not have been where I am today. His leadership, guidance, and tenacity transformed our newspaper into the high-quality, impactful, and large organization it is today.
But now, it is time to move on and pass the paper to the next generation of reporters.
Your Volume 13 Editorial Board will consist of Anthony Lu (11), Austin Witter (11), Gina Hallensleben (11), Izzy Jang (11), Katja Radovic-Jonsson (11), Max von Dehn (11), Sara Maya Budhiraja (10), and Suhani Dosanjh (9), led by current Executive Editor and incoming Editor-in-Chief Adelaide Guan (10).
To next year’s editors, you have a long and rewarding climb ahead of you. Being an editor is not without its challenges; the work can be intense, the schedules taxing, and there are a thousand moving parts which all are integral to the running of the paper. But the role also comes with great joys as well. You will find a sense of duty and purpose, engaging with the Hamber community in a way that feels meaningful, informing and advancing thought, and making our corner of the world a better place for everyone. Just please remember: what you put in is what you get out.
I hope that I have done my role justice and that students, teachers, administrators, parents and guardians, school staff, trustees, and members of the public continue to place their confidence in The Griffins’ Nest. Thank you for your support and the opportunity to serve in this role. @ehnewspaper forever.