A Farewell to Our Senior Staff Writers
May 1, 2019
May 3 is the seniors’s last day at AHN, saying farewell to not only Achona, but also the Academy of the Holy Names. On May 22, they graduate. However, several senior activities lead up to the big day, such as Silver Coffee and the Senior Pool Party and Running of the Halls.
So, this marks the end of Achona for the senior staff writers as they each wrote their last articles. The senior staff comprises of first, second, and even third year writers. To conclude the end of their AHN, and ultimately Achona, careers, they recall their what they will miss and what they look forward to.
Y’all I can’t stop crying. I just received a full ride scholarship to the University of Florida. Words can’t describe how happy and blessed I am. Thank you God. ?
— giz (@GiselleCuevas_) April 29, 2019
Editor in Chief Juliana Ferrie.
She has been on the staff for three years writing a multitude of articles. Not only does Ferrie write her own stories, but she assists in editing the rest of the staff’s articles. Ferrie will be attending the University of Florida (UF) where she hopes to partake in the study abroad programs. But first, she recalls her favorite memories from Achona and what being on staff has taught her.
Ferrie said, “I think that what I’m going to miss the most about Academy is being in Achona. Achona has given me so much, and I can’t believe that I’m writing my last story. Being a part of Achona has enabled me to make connections and to bond with so many people, and it has allowed me to gain so many different perspectives on a wide range of things. I think that my favorite memories of Achona will always be getting to sit in the front of the room talking to my best friends, listening to music, and just editing articles. In college, I definitely want to be a part of UF’s newspaper. I love to write, especially in this style, and I’m majoring in journalism, so I will definitely be able to use what I have learned in the future. I think the most important lesson Achona has taught me is to look at all sorts of issues and events from different perspectives. From our newspaper, I learned how to truly have an open-mind and how to have a constructive conversation with someone about a topic without feeling as though I have to be defensive about my own opinion or thoughts.”
Multimedia Editor Olivia Fernandez.
This is Fernandez’s third year on staff as well where she has written articles and made videos. She manages the various social media accounts and checks videos the staff writers have created. Fernandez will also be attending UF.
In March of 2017, Ferrie, Fernandez, and Thorpe were sophomores and they, along with the rest of the Achona staffers had the opportunity to visit Fox 13.
Fernandez said, “I’ve been on Achona since sophomore year, and it’s honestly one of my favorite classes I’ve ever taken at AHN. With Achona, I’ve been able to utilize my skills in video production and let my creativity flow. One of my favorite Achona memories is when Gretchen Swenson and I would film our ‘Rant Wheel’ videos and would walk around school wearing multi colored wigs and talk to students about pop culture topics. Having the ability to build on my production skills will definitely benefit me in college as I venture into the media field. I will definitely miss this class, but I know that I can always just check Achona Online to read all about what’s happening in school, even after I graduate.”
Senior Staff Writer Chloe Boos.
This is Boos’s first year on staff, yet she has retained valuable skills she can carry into college and her career life such as interviewing and communicating with people. Boos will be attending University of Colorado Boulder.
Boos said, “The thing I would miss the most about being on the Achona staff would probably be coming up with story ideas. My favorite memory would be everyone dressing up during spirit week and seeing the different themes throughout the grade. Something I will bring to college that Achona has taught me will be to always have a set plan to get my assignments in on time.”
Senior Staff Writer Isabella Thorpe.
Thorpe has been on staff for two years and has contributed unique articles such as “Harry Potter Houses: Teacher Edition.” Thorpe will be attending Boston College.
Thorpe said, “Writing on the news staff at an all-girls school where I’m encouraged to let my curiosity drive me and raise questions about contentious topics is an experience I will never undergo again, which is both nerve-racking yet thrilling.”
Senior Staff Writer Gelmi Pasquier.
This was Pasquier’s first year on staff, and she will be attending Florida State University (FSU).
She said, “Although this was my first year on the Achona staff, this class is easily one of my favorites. I love when each week all the staff members come together and share their story ideas, not only do I think I become more creative with my ideas during this time, but I also love to hear the cool story ideas that other people have. I think Achona will be helpful for me next year when talking to new people, because Achona made me put myself out there to ask people, I have never even talked to, for quotes. I am going to miss the class so much next year, and I am glad I decided to take it my final year.”
Although the majority of Achona’s staff graduates, there is a greater number of expected staff writers for next school year.
Senior Staff Writer Regan O’Leary.
O’Leary is a first year staff writer as well and she will be going to FSU.
O’Leary said, “I will miss being on the Achona staff because I love hearing everyone’s creative story ideas. I will use the creative writing skills that I developed from taking the class.”
Senior Staff Writer Jaclyn McCauley.
This is her first time on staff, yet her articles and videos have proven to be popular such as her Parking Lot Karaoke series. McCauley is attending the University of Tampa (UT).
McCauley said, “ I’m really going to miss the relationships that I was able to form in Achona. It made the class ten times better. I think my favorite memories, besides just talking and writing with some of my best friends, would be when we would all try to scramble to come up with story ideas for the week. We usually ended up getting them from Adriana [James-Rodil], Mei [Lamison], Juliana, and Isabella. Achona has definitely helped me more with time management, and I think that will help me a lot in college.”
Senior Staff Writer Hannah Smallwood.
Smallwood is also a first year staff writer, and she will be going to Florida Gulf Coast University in the fall.
Smallwood said, “Achona has given me a way to be involved in school life and be creative in the way I present information. I have gained confidence in my writing ability thanks to Achona. The best part of it is being a part of a team outside of sports and bonding with students from multiple grade levels. I have really enjoyed the past year on staff and wish I had joined earlier.”
https://www.instagram.com/p/BtFDuIknP8i/
Senior Staff Writer Megan Scanlan.
This is Scanlan’s first year on Achona, and she will also be attending FSU.
Scanlan comments on what being on the Achona staff has taught her outside of the classroom: “What I will miss most about being on the Achona staff is the knowledge I gained not only about Academy, but about society as well. I felt much more aware this year by being a part of this class. One of my favorite memories was the first video I made, “Finish the Lyric” because I got to run around the school and have random people sing for me. It was really funny. I will use the writing skills from the article and communication skills when asking for quotes at college.”
Senior Staff Writer Alley Pauley.
Pauley is also a first time staff, yet she has written numerous stories on AHN’s arts and entertainment such as “‘Cats’ Announced as Spring Musical” being her first article. She will be attending St. Leo University.
Before she moves on from Achona, Pauley said, “I am going to miss Achona so much. I love attending the class and growing close with everyone on staff. Achona has opened me up to new friendships by talking and conversing with others about their opinions on certain topics for my articles. I have made so many connections through the class. I’m going to miss my friends on staff most of all. I love seeing them all the time and working on stories together. My favorite story I did was called “Why people are so judgmental about music taste.” I was able to work with the editors, such as Juliana, to make the story the best it could be. I have learned so much through this class, and I am so happy I was able to join in my senior year. This has honestly been one the best experiences I have had at Academy.”
Senior Staff Writer Adrianna Radice.
She is a first year staff writer and will be going to UT.
Radice said, “When I signed up for Achona my senior year, I had no idea just how big of an impact it would have on me. I was able to get closer to a lot of girls that I never knew I had so much in common with. Having the opportunity to get close to them senior before I, and most of them, leave was something I’ll always be grateful for. Taking Achona also made me realize what it truly is I have a passion for, and I’ve even decided to pursue journalism in college which I don’t think I would have had the confidence to do before. I’m gonna miss this class and the people in it so much, and I’ll definitely be sure to keep updated with the Achona website after I leave.”
Loading ...Senior Staff Writer Katherine Rodriguez.
Lastly, this is Rodriguez’s first time on the Achona writing staff, and she will be attending FSU.
Rodriguez said, “I really liked being able to capture different events and memories at our school. I really liked bonding with the staff and getting to know other people from different grades. I learned how to be a better writer, which will definitely come in handy in college.”
Although the majority of our staff moves on from high school into college, we look forward to what they will accomplish in the years to come.