The Scroll has gone through a lot over the years-- with Milan taking this whole thing over and completely changing it into something amazing and others coming and going throughout the time the seniors have spent in this club. It is the last issue of the year and the last issue some will ever publish at this school. Through heartbreak and tears, we send our Scroll senior citizens off to a new chapter of their lives.
I (Deenie) wanted to interview some of the team. I know that sometimes it doesn't feel like it, but you seniors have shaped this club and the lives other the members here. Here are a few words from the team. The rest didn't love you enough to write anything (jk) <3
"I first joined because I finally had room in my schedule, though I was nervous I wouldn't be good at it or wouldn't be accepted because I'm so new to the team. Lovingly though, it was an almost immediate envelopment of exception, so my fears were put to bed very easily." (Lillie Olson)
"It was actually really nice. I was super nervous about joining because I hadn't been very confident in my writing. So to be meeting all of these amazing writers was incredibly nerve-wracking. However, after the initial anxiety went away, I started having a blast with all of the lovely members of Scroll." (Haddix Blackmon)
"I joined this club when I was a sophomore. I didn't know what I was doing or what I was getting into when starting high school, so instead of being a normal human being, I joined about every club at this school. I was nervous. I didn't know anyone and all of these people had been writing for The Scroll for so much longer than me. Before joining, I had never written for others to read but, by the time I wrote my first article for an issue, the group had felt like a family to me." (Deenie Bulyalert)
"I felt a little nervous. I'm relatively new but, as soon as I started going to the meetings, I felt included and really happy with the people surrounding it." (Lily Loukx N)
"Being in this club, and having an officer position, it's made it to where I look forward to next year for something specific. I feel like I always have a place to come and there's always something to distract myself with in this club when I need a break." (Lillie Olson)
"I've gained a lot of knowledge on writing in general. Another thing that has been very impactful is the people. Everyone here has great drive and are all doing amazing things." (Haddix Blackmon)
"There are not enough words in the universe to explain how much being in this club has impacted me. This club allowed me to venture out into other aspects of school and truly get involved. It has allowed me to meet new people that I will absolutely cherish in my heart for years and years. Being in this club has challenged me and my own ability to do things and grow in my ability to write. I type a lot faster now and I write a lot more than I used to." (Deenie Bulyalert)
"I feel like I’m doing more in my high school career than I had been. I feel more included and part of the school. It makes me feel more included in school functions." (Lily Loukx N)
"You [Deenie] personally, having you in middle school, made the biggest difference in helping me with work and emotions. I haven't really met many seniors, but they all seem great--specifically Sean and Milan. They always make me laugh and are great role models to look up to in this club." (Lillie Olson)
"Don't even get me started lol. The seniors are the reason I enjoy high school as much as I do. A lot of them are the people who talked me into doing the things I enjoy and helped me out when I was needing it. They have done a lot for me despite them having not known me for long." (Haddix Blackmon)
"They have impacted me so much. From all the days they took me to eat and the times we would spend talking late at night at friend get-togethers. All the silly things that they would do with me and invite me to. I adore how nothing I do is weird to them and I adore that they love me for who I am and support me no matter what I do. They helped me through my years being here and they are probably the reason why I haven't dropped out of high school yet." (Deenie Bulyalert)
"Oh my gosh, so much. It has made me more confident in what I create when they approve of it. I also am so proud of the confidence and growth they have all done. I knew Milan and Sean my freshman year, which was their sophomore year, and they have just grown into their skin so much." (Lily Loukx N)
"I'll miss the experience they have. Due to them doing this before, they have a chance to slow down and have fun with it rather than immediately just working on the task at hand." (Lillie Olson)
"The energy they bring and the commitment they have to everything they do. All of the seniors do a great job at making the group feel as fun as it is. They help everyone, regardless of skill, and they have a deep love for the things they do." (Haddix Blackmon)
"I don't know what I won't miss about the seniors. They are the reason I have a group to sit with at lunch. They are the reason why I laugh every single day. The seniors are the reason why I know Tyrrell, one of the most amazing teachers, and Perry, the most involved teacher that I have ever met. They are the reason I am thriving as a Junior. They support, they push, and they challenge your way of thinking to make you grow into a better person. They will forever be my role model on how I should navigate life." (Deenie Bulyalert)
"Their humor: all of them have great, different humor and that’s what makes them great and unique." (Lily Loukx N)
"I can't really say anything other than generic stuff to the seniors which wouldn't mean much most likely because I don't have a close connection with them. However, I wish them the best and know that they are going to do amazing things." (Lillie Olson)
"I would just want to say thank you. Thank you for all the help and love they have given me. Thank you for being good role models and great people to look up to when I don't have anyone else to help me figure out my way in life. Thank you for giving me rides and giving me advice to move forward in the things I love. And thank you for everything you've done for everyone at the school. We'll all miss the seniors and I don't know what the school will be like without them." (Haddix Blackmon)
"I know the world is scary and I know that people will judge and hurt us, but please never stop being you. Even if "you" change in the next few years, stick with who you are and allow the world to take you on that journey called life. I have no advice, but I do want to tell you that I love you all. I truly don't know what I am going to do at this silly school without you all next year and I don't know how I am going to afford all of your tickets back for our Christmas party, but I will definitely try (some of the seniors will understand this). There are a lot of unknowns going into this next year, but I hope you know that I am always around, even if I am not there physically. I also need to thank you all for everything, but thank you the most for saving me." (Deenie Bulyalert)
"I would tell them that so many people believe that they will do great things and they should believe it, too." (Lily Loukx N)
Don't ask me why Tyrrell asked me (Deenie) to create this for The Scroll seniors this year, but I am so honored and, through tears and heartbreak, I will get through this eventually. I have known all of the seniors I am about to mention for at least a year and what a wonderful year I have been able to spend with them. There are some seniors who have had the honor to watch me grow up and grow out of my awkward middle school phase with my crazy haircuts. There are seniors who have spent hours and hours in long, boring meetings with me. There are seniors who are part of this amazing team who I got to be in the journalism class with and although I will miss every single one of them, I know they all are going to do amazing things in life.
I am clumping Sean, Liv, Chris and Abe together-- not because they are better than everyone else (I mean, they are) but because I have known them for the longest amount of time. They were the reason I made it out of middle school almost unscathed and the reason I know I will be okay entering my senior year.
If you don't know Sean, he is our satirical writer here at The Scroll and our resident class clown. He writes other amazing articles, as well, so don't limit him because he is someone who goes beyond the limits of societal expectations and that is one of my favorite things about him. He is a person you know will always be there for you and he is willing to go out of his way for anyone and everyone. I have had the pleasure to grow up with him and he became the person I needed growing up. Sean, you watched over me while we grew up in elementary school. You accepted me when I was in middle school-- and you guided me when I was in high school. Now, you are taking that next step into this awesome, amazing moment of life. Although I am terrified about how to navigate this school and city without you because I have always done it with you, I'm sure we both with figure it all out like we always have. Don't let the expectations of others overwhelm you. You can be whoever you want to be and, whatever that may be, I promise I will stick around just as much as you stuck around for me.
Liv is the person I go to if I need to rant about something (mostly other people being rude). They are the person I get advice from and the person I will sit in a car for hours listening to them talk about the most recent book they read or their theory on a cartoon or anime. Liv, thank you for being my "parent" since middle school. Thank you for showing me that the outside world is not entitled to putting us in a box. And I know I told you all of this already, but I just need to tell you again so you know how much I love you and your silly quirky self. Thank you for showing me that women/feminine presenting individuals can have body hair and still be be beautiful. You have showed me that my sexuality is something I shouldn't be afraid of and pronouns are a bare minimum on the aspect of respect. You have guided me in so many ways and I cannot thank you enough. I'll come visit you and Jesse. You had better send me pictures of of your dorm. I know it will look awesome.
Chris is one of our photographers. He is also an awesome band kid and friend. Chris, I know we haven't talked much over the years, but having someone like you in my life has been so awesome. I know this may be something that you don't think of or care about much, but you and Abe have been a huge factor throughout the years in me being comfortable with my own skin. I appreciate you for being part of my life. I know that whatever you do beyond this will be amazing.
Abe does something around here. Don't ask me what, though, because I don't know either. Abe and I have known each other since I was in sixth grade. We never talked to each other, it is more like we were forced to be around each other and I have now grown okay with each other. Thank you for helping me with nothing Abe (Just kidding). Thank you for helping me with everything.
Milan has been The Scroll president for a few years now and rebuilt our school newspaper into the incredible issues you see now. She is now handing the title of president to me when she leaves and I am so grateful for the trust she has placed in me. Milan, thank you for all the money you have spent on me, all of the gas money that you have wasted to take me places, and all of the time you have sacrificed to talk to me longer. Words will never be able to express how much you mean to me. Take up space when you go to college, please, and when/if I choose to go to Lewis and Clark, I will make you transfer. You have been my light during these past few years and I know that you were a little worried about me to start. I hope I crushed all of those initial uncertainties and am so much better than you imagined. I love you and I will love you when you head off to college. Thank you. Thank you for pushing me to be the best version of myself.
Lizzie and Than have always been a package deal and an impressive one. Lizzie writes our movie reviews and Than writes our comics.
Lizzie, thank you for coming along and taking on movie reviews from me. You are one of the only people I know that is fit to write a movie review and I am so happy you were the person to take it from me. Every single time I listen to talk about a show or a movie (or anything, in general), I could listen to you talk about it. The way you express yourself in your words and in your fashion is something that I have always aimed for and you engulf my ideal persona. I promise you that, if I was in charge of Hollywood or any big-name film company, then I would give you and Than a TV show.
Than, I don’t know if the world outside of this high school is ready for you. They do not deserve the positive energy that you put out into the world. You have so much weight on your shoulders, especially for being the funniest person in the group, and I would suggest that you hand some of that weight off to someone else, but I don’t think there is anyone on the face of this planet that would carry the title of being most hilarious as well as you. Thank you for always making me laugh. You are incredible.
Shani, for how quiet she is in real life, is one of the best writers at this school. Shani is so articulate with her words and her writing is something you never can really get tired of reading. Shani, since the time of knowing you, we haven’t talked much, but I do want you to know that you are so amazing. I hope you kick butt at whatever school you ended up choosing to go to next year. (P.S. I am so sorry I got you in trouble with Kennedy the other day in Psych because we were throwing paper airplanes. Your name deserves to be number one.
Evan and Pooja are also a package deal, but more in a way where they are always fighting about who gets to write what political topic. Whenever I think about either of them, I think about how they are always butting heads (in a kind way, of course).
Pooja is our best political writer. Pooja, you put so much emotion into your articles while following them up with facts and statistics and I always appreciate how you cover article topics that are so taboo in our community and society in general. You are such a rock star and such an inspiration, especially being a person of color in a place like GP. It is nice to know that you are around when I need someone to make me smile. Thank you for being so awesome in every aspect of your life.
Evan, is well, Evan. I know I make fun of you a lot, but I will always appreciate you being willing to put up with me and all of my crazy ideas. Thank you for being my go-to person to substitute my position in board meetings or boring events when I use work as an excuse but, in reality, I just don’t want to go, so I send you in my place. I know you are going to do cool things in the future and the Ducks are really lucky to have you at their school.
J is The Scroll photographer and an amazing one. Portland State is lucky to have you next year, J. Thank you for all the rides you have given me and the rants you have sat through regarding certain people during a certain period of time this year. Although that was a stressful experience, I think it was still fun. I hope the world eventually learns to give you back what you give out. The art world definitely suits you and I hope they realize how valuable of a person they have received from you. I also hope you don’t miss GP too much when you head off to college.
Some have already heard this, but I want it written in stone for others to understand the impact that these seniors have left in my life.
There are different kinds of soulmates we meet in our lives.
Some are those we are meant to fall in love with and get married to.
These soulmates are the ones we go on romantic dates with and buy each other romantic gifts. It is the soulmate we stay with until the moment of our last breath.
The other types of soulmates are the soulmates that we meet for a period of time in our lives and their destiny is to leave us with a piece of themselves in our hearts and with the memories to fulfill us until the moment we leave this earth.
I have met those people in my life and they are now about to go off and succeed. Some are going to college to do incredible things in law, in theater, in drama, journalism, photography, in activism and some are belonging to the world in a different way. One thing I do know, though, is that each and every one of them are meant to take up space in this world and I hope they do because they take up so much space in my heart and in my mind. I will always carve out that space for them inside of me because they deserve more than the world could ever give them.
Every single piece of me is terrified about what to do without you all but, just like you guys will figure out life outside of high school, I can figure out life inside of high school. Thank you for being my stepping stones in life. Through heartbreak and tears, I have finished this tribute. You have finished this chapter of life and I, and The Scroll team, wish you the utmost luck in this next chapter of your life.
