News Editor Isabella Westrich interviews Hattie Thomas Whitehead in the Clarke Central High School Media Center. Isabella looks back on senior year, happy with what they’ve done. “Senior year has been one of highs and lows, of bittersweet lasts but also some firsts. Being a Journalism I Facilitator has been one of the most meaningful experiences from my time in high school and seeing each J1 kid grow has been such a privilege. The News Staff has become like a second family, and while I didn’t expect it I’ve met several new people this year that are now a really important part of my life,” Westrich Wrote. Photos courtesy of Westrich
It’s hard work being a mascot
News Editor and Journalism I Facilitator Isabella Westrich, a senior, reflects on her time in the ODYSSEY Media Group.
I first joined ODYSSEY as a shy, Zoom-bound freshman who got anxious even saying my name during class attendance. While the rest of virtual school is a blur, I remember being hooked by the sense of community and dedication in ODYSSEY that translated even through the computer screen.
I struggled through sophomore year when we returned in-person, drowning in schoolwork and fighting deep-seated insecurity. However, ODYSSEY gave me something meaningful to be part of and gave me my first sense of real success in high school. I was also absolutely star-struck by the upperclassmen, who seemed like they had everything figured out, and their mentorship meant so much to me.
Junior year, I was in an editor position for the first time, and it was so far out of my comfort zone, it was practically in a different state. However, it was also so much more rewarding than any previous work I had done, and I’m so grateful to my staffers. I was also able to have meaningful conversations with stakeholders and learned so much about my community that I had previously been blind to, which completely shifted my worldview.
It’s been more than amazing seeing my other seniors grow up into the cool, confident big kids that I looked up to when I was an underclassman.
Senior year has been one of highs and lows, of bittersweet lasts but also some firsts. Being a Journalism I Facilitator has been one of the most meaningful experiences from my time in high school and seeing each J1 kid grow has been such a privilege.
The News Staff has become like a second family, and while I didn’t expect it I’ve met several new people this year that are now a really important part of my life. It’s also been more than amazing seeing my other seniors grow up into the cool, confident big kids that I looked up to when I was an underclassman.
ODYSSEY has given me a group of people that was there for me even when it wasn’t all easy or fun. It’s given me the chance to interact with my community in so many new ways and hear the stories of really amazing people. And it’s helped me grow into the person I wanted to be when I logged on to that first Zoom meeting.
