Natalia Goodbye Letter

I joined Voices knowing nothing about journalism but rather purely because I enjoyed writing. When my first article went through its first round of editing I stared at the over fifty edit suggestions and comments in horror. Being an anxious freshman whose first year of high school was conducted online amplified the embarrassment and feeling of failure I felt at this moment. After conducting awkward Zoom interviews, attending intimidating meetings with the seemingly scary upperclassmen, and then seeing how much work my article still needed after the hours I already put in, I considered quitting. I never would’ve believed that four years later I would still be part of the club, let alone Co-Editor-In-Chief. Today, I thank younger Natalia for persisting through that first article and not giving up.

Throughout my time with Voices I fell in love with the art of writing. When recruiting new members at the club fair each year I sought out students with even a small liking for writing as I watched that same small liking grow within myself into a passion. There is remarkable power within the ability to leave a piece of yourself in places you’ve loved through written words. 

I thank all of our writers for sharing their brilliant personalities, unforgettable humor, and voices with me and the school. Whether you wrote about Spirit Week, snow days, or senior spotlights, you made it possible for Voices to capture a glimpse of life at Masterman for us to look back on when these times have passed. Each interview, draft, and article builds our Masterman community. 

I thank our editors, Jocleyn, Mariacristina, Rhoslyn, and Rylee, for guiding our writers and providing Gavriela, Ella, and I with much needed support. Your dedication to the club allowed us to maintain the legacy of Voices, welcome new members, and revive the excitement of Voices print day.

Lastly, I thank Ella and Gavriela for always being by my side and putting their all into every meeting, issue, layout, and more. Your strong leadership and advocacy for our writers are inspiring.

I look back at each month’s issue successfully published in print and am beyond proud of the work everyone has put in. Being able to share your Masterman pride, voice your concerns, or provoke meaningful discussion to better our community has brought me immense joy. I cannot wait to see what you accomplish in the future. Never stop writing and expressing yourself. Don’t be afraid to share your voice.