Reflections

From the Editor...

This morning as I received my graduation cap and gown, I thought back to my first day at LC four years ago. I remember sitting in the cafeteria nervously talking with some people I knew from grade school about how hot it was. In that sticky room, I was surrounded by all the people that would make up my high school experience. My mind was racing about who I would become friends with, who I would sit next to in class, which boys were cute, and overall just what kind of person I would become. It honestly is so surreal to me that four years have already passed, and as I write this I hold the answers to those questions.

While I cannot confidently say that I have figured out exactly who I am, I have learned more than I possibly could have imagined over the course of high school. Four years ago, I spent the better part of May agonizing over writing, editing, and designing my first edition of The Crusader Connection. The staff was limited to say the least, and after a lot of trial and error with AdobeDesign I finally completed the first and only edition of the newspaper that year. It was not easy and I would be lying if I said that it was extremely popular. However, completing that issue meant more to me than most people could have understood. It meant carrying on my sister’s (former Editor-in-Chief) legacy, pursuing my passion for writing and reading amidst pressures to focus on a STEM-oriented course-load, and working hard to do something for myself. That first edition of the newspaper was honestly a crucial moment in my high school career.

Since then, the newspaper staff has grown over the years into a small but mighty group of talented writers, photographers, artists, and editors. All of my fellow staff members never fail to inspire me, and my heart swells with pride with every edition that has been published. In addition, writing has truly carried me through some of the hardest moments high school has had to offer. From break-ups to friend drama to insecurity, writing and reading has been a constant escape for me. I have cherished every moment I have spent in the language mod, at meetings getting off-track and spending time with our dedicated teacher moderator, Miss Brady. It is safe to say that Miss Brady will be one of my hardest goodbyes this summer, after being blessed to grow closer to such an amazing and inspiring role model through all of these years.

To sum it up, my experience as a part of newspaper captures what it means to be a student at this special two-hallway building I have called home for the past four years. June 7th was one of the most bittersweet days of my life, saying goodbye to all of the amazing people and experiences I have had, while looking ahead with hope to the next chapter of my life. LC has taught me countless lessons, but what comes to mind first is to look on the bright side as much as possible. There are blessings all around us, so clearly in the people we go to school with every day. The relationships I have formed with teachers and fellow classmates are what have made every day in this building so special, and they are the reason I laugh and smile so often during the school day. To any underclassmen reading this, do not take your time here for granted. Even through all of the challenges I have faced, my four years at Lansdale Catholic have truly been the most joyful of my life.

Signing off, Editor-in-chief, Gianna Gallo, '22