Editor-in-Chief Molly Harwell shares the role that mentorship has played in her high school experience and the ways in which she hopes to pass it on to future generations.
“It’s an honor to be something for someone.”
Those words, which I heard for the first time during a press conference this summer, echo in my mind everytime I walk into Room 231 at Clarke Central High School.
This phrase, spoken by Valeria Garcia-Pozo, an ODYSSEY Media Group alumna, became my mantra, eloquently putting into words a sentiment that I had felt for years.
It all began when I joined ODYSSEY my freshman year of high school. I applied to be in the Journalism I class after hearing about it from a friend who thought I might be interested because of my love of writing.
In addition to my teacher, we had facilitators who became like older siblings to me and my classmates.
For the first time, I was being taught by my peers, who saw me and took interest in me, and it was because of these student leaders that I realized my passion for mentorship. They were something to me, and I knew that one day, I wanted to be something for someone, too.
My sophomore year, I joined the Production class, a group of 25 students dedicated to producing four magazines a year and a website, becoming a first-year editor, and an overwhelming sense of imposter syndrome consumed me. As a shy barely 15-year-old, I couldn’t possibly fathom why I was chosen for the role or how I was supposed to now be a mentor for my staffers.
But in the middle of my self-doubt, the Editor-in-Chief, a senior, took me under her wing. She invited me to grab coffee with her, she sat with me and taught me how to edit properly. She genuinely listened to me, and through her guidance, I began to feel like I belonged. She was something to me, and I desperately wanted to pass that along however I could.
Last year, I had the immense honor of becoming the Editor-in-Chief, one of only three juniors to do so in the entire 20-year history of the program.
I was so elated, so ready to do the work, but as the school year crept closer, I began to feel that familiar doubt once again.
However, as the year progressed and after many long chats with my adviser, I began to realize that there was no right way to be a mentor; you just have to be present and willing to help.
However, as the year progressed and after many long chats with my adviser, I began to realize that there was no right way to be a mentor; you just have to be present and willing to help.
I slowly stopped living in the past and started focusing on the future, my mindset beginning to shift. I could do this.
I started circulating the classroom more, checking in with every person during the class period. I asked younger staffers to help me edit a story so I could explain my process.
By making an effort to make sure everyone was being heard, being seen, just like I had been, I felt myself becoming more confident in the process. I felt myself becoming something.
Now, as a senior and a repeat Editor-in-Chief, I finally feel like the mentor I knew I wanted to be; like my facilitators, like the old Editor-in-Chiefs before me. I’ve built such strong connections with my team by showing up for them and being someone they know they can rely on.
I am so honored that I can be something for so many because so many were something to me.
