Dear Achona,

I believe that if I were not to write my final story for Achona and continue this tradition of the Editor-In-Chiefs before me, I would come to regret it. Looking back at the very beginning of my four years at Academy, I would never have been able to anticipate my love for this class. 

My very scattered self (or squirrel-brained) entered Academy looking to fill a class schedule with courses such as forensics, ceramics, orchestra, and possibly taking an online German class. Of course, graduation requirements and the need to take impressive courses to appeal to colleges got in the way of these ambitions. If you noticed,  Journalism (or Achona) had not yet become an interest. In fact, I would not even consider taking it until the second semester of my freshman year.

It wasn’t until Millie Garstka (‘24) was talking about Achona during my Latin class that I was persuaded to enroll for the following year. Achona was marketed to me as a study hall and guaranteed A in an Honors course, I saw Journalism as a way to easily increase my GPA and knock out homework during the school day. And so, I found myself sophomore year sitting as a staff writer. Little did I know that after a trauma-inducing “scavenger hunt” first assignment (I was firmly instructed to exit while trying to enter the senior lounge for an interview question), Journalism would grow to become one of my biggest academic passions. By the way, I got a B on that assignment!

I found myself making videos about Academy girls’ Halloween costumes, writing about Girl Scouts who definitely make bank off of the girls during cookie season, and even vlogging my own Winter Formal experience. I was able to reach out to my friend in South Korea to get a quote on the Seoul Halloween Accident in 2022. I was given the freedom to write about whatever I wished, and I could use my connections or passions outside of school to make my stories come to life. 

Achona also allowed me the unique opportunity to talk to girls whom I would never have had any connection with apart from a simple pass in the hallways. As I have so fondly been given the name of “the quote girl”, gathering these tidbits of information has pushed me not only to learn more about my fellow sisters, but to also break out of my shell, so to say (although I had not mentioned it earlier, I was an exceptionally shy freshman).

As I near the end of my final story, I would be remiss if I did not thank the staff writers and editors who have made my experience with Achona so enjoyable. I will always remember:

•  The activities that Olivia Payne (‘24) would come up with to entertain us during our famous Achona Parties (the tote-bag painting was a definite favorite)
• The classic “make your story a bit longer” from Raquelle Elson (‘23)
• Ranting about our synchronized skating mishaps with Danica Lothrop (‘24)
• Counseling Ava Radovic (‘26) on classes she should either take or avoid, or on the application process to Girls State or Athena Society 

And now seems like an incredibly appropriate time to announce that, in following in the footsteps of my Editor-in-Chief predecessors, Chloe Mintz (‘22) and Olivia Payne (‘24), I will also be attending Northwestern University’s School of Journalism. Achona editors promise to overrun the entirety of Medill. 

Finally, thank you for following my words and stories. I hope that you will continue to look to Achona as a favorite news source as it is handed down to the next Editor-in-Chief. GO CATS!