We live in a world that is incredibly noisy, filled with pings and bells and notifications and loud people shouting in our TikTok feeds. But being “noisy” isn’t the same thing as having a voice.

Our Metea Valley journalists provide our school with a united voice of a diverse community. They are skilled listeners and observers, and they collect the voices of our students, teachers, staff, and coaches, to tell the stories that walk our halls. 

But what our journalists in the Class of 2026 reminded me of every day was that the work of a journalist doesn’t only come with the voices they hear around them, but also with the voice that they find on the inside. 

To speak the truth to your community, you first have to be honest with yourself. To speak truth to power, you first have to have a quiet voice of confidence on the inside. During their time on our newspaper staff, these seniors did more than just fill pages and screens with articles, photography, and art: they found their own true voices. They learned that when you ground your words in truth, people will listen. And, yes, they have also seen that, sometimes, powerful people are a little afraid of what they might say.

This inner voice is what they hear when no one else is listening. It is the one that tells them who they are, what they value, and that their perspective matters. It gives them clarity when the world around them is confusing and noisy. As they move beyond the walls of H208 and into adulthood, it is this inner compass, not the headlines, likes, reposts, or clicks, that will serve as their truest guide.

Bilol: I am so glad you joined our staff this year! It was fun seeing how quickly you dove in and acclimated to this very strange class.

Isabella: You have an openness to new people and new adventures that is a true gift. You are the type of person who others want to be around.

Anders: You have a joyful spirit that always brightens my day — even when you are driving me crazy. Thanks for bringing the skills you built in broadcast into our newsroom: You are so naturally good at what you do, and you make it look easy. Absolute cinnamon! 

Jeremy: From the moment you covered Mustang Mania in August, I knew you had something special. You know how to have fun, and you also know when to be serious. And your eye for great photos is truly remarkable.

Mac: You were a great addition to our sports team. Whether writing about MV sports or professional sports, you know your stuff, and you know how to turn events into stories.

Makenzie: For many on staff, their voices are expressed in their words. You express your unique voice through your art. It has been so fun watching you refine and share your voice this year.

Netra: I love how calm and unflappable you are. I’m sure you get stressed out, but I’d never know it. I always looked forward to seeing your next creation, and loved seeing how much fun you had in the process.

Rameen: I feel like you found the ground beneath your feet this year. Remember to slow down, and just focus on the next step — not the whole mountain.  

Sharon: You brought fashion and style into our room every day. But much more importantly … Your voice matters. You have things to say. And you matter.

Sri: It was so much fun watching you find your confidence this year. Going out there and talking to strangers takes some real bravery, and you didn’t shy away from the challenge!

Val: It’s always fun having a student on staff who can do it all, and you are one of those students. Photography? Got it. Writing in English? Got it. Writing in Spanish? No problem. Most importantly, you care about the people around you and you hold yourself to high standards. Those two things will serve you well in life.

Elliott: You are one of those rare people who makes difficult things look so easy. You had the job of keeping us all organized, and you handled that with an ease and grace and dignity that clearly comes so naturally with you. I was frequently in awe of how you were able to identify problems before they started, and to already have solutions lined up for when the unexpected happened.

Francesca: You were never the loudest person in the room, but you don’t need a loud voice to be a leader. You lead the people around you through quiet confidence, competence, reinforcement, and kindness. People want to be near you, and they learn from you in the process, because if they do what you are doing, then they are doing things the right way.

Gino: You are the ultimate hype man. I don’t think it ever occurs to you to put the spotlight on yourself: You are always focused on making sure the light is shining on others. When other people succeed, you make sure we celebrate. When other people need recognition, you make sure they get it. When other people need to be picked up, you make sure they get the pep talk they need. What a gift.

Mia: You see things other people don’t, and you see them differently than other people do. That means you write great opinion columns, and it also makes you hilarious: It’s not easy for teenagers to pull off great satire. It also makes you a great friend to others, and your big heart makes H208 a refuge.

Sakeenah: I remember chatting with you in the security line at O’Hare on the way to Philadelphia and thinking to myself, “What a remarkable kid.” And I haven’t stopped thinking that. More than being talented (at, apparently, everything), you are dedicated, driven, and organized. It was delightful watching you mentor your team this year, and helping your Spotlight family achieve their best.

Sweeti: You are a Swiss Army knife. Video editing? No problem. Photography? Got it. Write an editorial in 24 hours? Please. Sizzling social media reels? Done. You are confident in your voice and confident in who you are, which makes you so much fun to be around. I owe Ms. Hall a lot for encouraging you to join us. (We are also co-presidents of your fan club.)

Azaa: You approach the world with a rare joy that makes the world around you brighter. From the first time I heard you chat on a podcast, I knew you viewed the world with a delightful mix of fun, laughter, and curiosity. From your 6 (or more) word weekend highlights to your hilarious quips, you helped to make our newsroom a place where people wanted to be.

Luisa: Let’s be real: You are the real mother duck around here. More than an exceptional writer and skilled designer, you are an exceptional leader of people. Your organizational skills and your understanding of what makes people tick allowed you to take on big projects, and to take our magazine to new levels. You are never satisfied with just getting things done: You know what is possible, you hold yourself to a high standard, and you inspire others to do the same.

Mansi: Ever since I first met you as a sophomore, it was clear that you viewed the world around you with a maturity and scope that most 15-year-olds don’t. It’s not just that you have a commanding understanding of politics and history; it’s not just that you can see patterns and connect dots in a way that most adults can’t; it’s not just that you understand divergent perspectives; it’s that you are able to then report on and discuss those big, complex issues with nuance and clarity. I have told you often: You are going to make a positive difference in our world, no matter where your path takes you.

Rayma: You have been our staff’s great uniter. Each year, I have seen how you connect people around you to form a family. You know how to take care of business, but you also know how to create a warm, welcoming space for people to be comfortable taking risks and putting their own opinions out in the world. You have always been the person I look to when there is somebody who needs to be taken under a wing, because your generous, helpful spirit allows you to disarm those who are nervous and help them find their voice.

Ryder: You see the world in a way that nobody else does. You are a watchful observer, but not of people’s actions: Of their hearts. You see through to the core of people in ways that I cannot possibly understand. You hear hearts sing, cry, dance, and laugh. While most others are distracted by what they see with their eyes, you see who people really are on the inside, making you connect with others on deep and profound levels. Your big heart and your yearning for true connection make you a gift to all who are lucky enough to know you.

Sam: You have been the glue that holds our staff together. You have an ability to see the big picture and team dynamics with a level of keen sophistication that boggles my mind. You have taken seriously the task of seeing my blind spots and making sure nothing is overlooked. You stepped up into a leadership role in an unexpected way, and you did so with grace, ease, and professionalism. I am incredibly proud of the journalist — and the person — you have grown into these three years. You have been a gift both to me and to our staff, and I’m not sure if the world is fully ready for the impact you are about to have on it.

I talk a lot about journalism being a mission and a service to our school community. Journalists don’t do this for themselves: they do this work to benefit others. And as these seniors prepare to walk across that stage, I hope that they can see that their voices are leaving behind an echo.

Their echo is heard in the excellence they committed themselves to and the way they pushed their publications to be even more bold and even more honest. It’s heard in the way they have turned our classroom into a refuge and a family. And most clearly, their echo can be heard in the new leaders who are now stepping into the big shoes our seniors are leaving behind. These new leaders are ready to take the reins because they have spent the last year watching you lead with courage, grace, humor, excellence, and dedication.

So even though you are leaving our classroom for the last time, we will continue to hear your voice.

I am deeply grateful for the laughter, the hard conversations, the remarkable work, and the heart you poured into our newsroom. You have made a permanent mark on the Metea Valley story, and on my story.

Go out there and keep using those voices, even if the world isn’t quite ready to hear what you have to say.