Anna's Goodbye Letter

Dear family,

My first introduction to Voices was finding issues stashed underneath desks and on library tables in middle school. I loved reading about school events, teachers, and high school students (who at the time appeared incredibly old and wise). When I joined Voices, I was lucky to have the wonderful Ebony Graham (‘18) as my editor. She was warm and thorough in her feedback, always encouraging writers to understand the why behind a criticism; a driving force behind my choice to become an editor. Junior year brought startling challenges as Covid-19 forced Voices to transition to virtual school. But our co-editors in chief handled it skillfully. Seeing the impact of those last few issues instilled in me the belief that publishing was more important than ever.

This year, Voices got me through the pandemic. My fall and winter were difficult. Like many students, I spent my day in my room, at my laptop, alone. There were a myriad of concerns I had never had. They ranged from missing a class I thought was asynchronous to losing a family member to an uncharted virus. The monthly rituals of pitching articles, talking to writers, and editing work were welcomed constants. Contributors’ desire to inform the school and readers’ desire for news grounded me. I took joy in interviewing classmates for senior spotlights and inviting guest speakers. I am so thankful for everyone who stayed on Google Meets when I declared, “There’s one more thing.” One of these people is my co-editor in chief, Maeve Zeleniak (12-3). By expanding our social media presence and being a dedicated editor, she was instrumental in bringing Voices to Masterman. This year I was also so fortunate to work with a group of passionate senior editors: Noel Chacko (12-1), Lucy Duckworth (12-1), Lola Milder (12-3), Tal Netz (12-3), Laura Shin (12-3), and Jacob Smollen (12-4). I have so much respect for the hours of time you spent in breakout rooms and on group texts with your contributors, working through pieces and giving reminders. Then there is the amazing Helena Saven (11-4) and Isabel Portner (11-3). Meticulous and conscientious, I know you will do a fantastic job as editors in chief next year.

I am also incredibly thankful for all of the contributors this year. Your passion and drive shined throughout your work. It is not an easy task to reach out to peers and staff to conduct interviews or ask for a photograph, nor is it an easy task to take feedback and rework pieces. The virtual limitations made this all the more difficult. Your persistence and commitment inspired me weekly. You have produced some of the best work I have seen published in Voices. You should be proud to have published work that delved into difficult subjects, challenged beliefs, made us laugh, and made us cry.

Of course none of this could have been possible without our brilliant sponsor and my “school mom,” Ms. Gentlesk. Each week, she held meetings of forty or more contributors and guided editors through even the most tedious Tuesday evening meetings. Most importantly, she is committed to the journalistic values that lie at the heart of Voices. Ms. Gentlesk encourages public debate and accountability, which can be difficult in a close-knit community like Masterman. She is the moral compass of our newsroom.

I am truly going to miss Voices; the thought provoking meetings, excitement of discovering a topic to write about, and the morning adrenaline rush of bolting around Masterman and delivering papers to advisories. Most of all, I’m going to miss you, the readers. It is an incredibly special opportunity to write for my peers and the larger Masterman community. So rare is it that journalists write for such a vibrant, curious audience that has so many shared experiences. I am incredibly thankful for everyone over the years who has offered article ideas and submitted guest columns, reached out with compliments and criticisms. You are the reason we write.

Much love,

Anna