Sophie Lewandowski
As my time as a member of the Warrior Scroll comes to an end, I feel immense appreciation for all that this remarkable group of people have given me: a voice within our community, wonderful friendships and the opportunity to meet so many incredible people.
Writing has always been a deep love of mine. From my first little story in kindergarten to my latest article, writing has become an important form of expression for me. As I have gotten older, I have discovered the immense power words have and how they can be used to create change in the world. When I entered high school and first heard about Centaurus’ small paper, I immediately knew that it was something that I wished to be a part of.
So, when I stumbled upon a poster in the hallway for an interest meeting for the school newspaper in my sophomore year, I promptly attended the first meeting. I fell in love with the Scroll community and the experience of reporting.
Although I have always been a quieter person who struggles to assert herself, this paper has given me the platform to share my own voice and amplify the voices of others. This paper has a remarkable community of writers and photographers who are passionate about journalism, but who also care deeply about each other and the Centaurus community. Each staff member is special, always seeking to amplify the voices of the Centaurus community and speak out on behalf of all of the people who are a part of this school; always jumping at the opportunity to share their voice, even when it is difficult, as they hope to create change through journalism. It is these people who inspire me and give me the courage to ask the difficult questions that push me out of my comfort zone. I have traveled beyond my circle of friends, and have learned to assert my voice: I have discovered confidence through the Scroll.
I am so grateful for everything that the Warrior Scroll has given me during my time at Centaurus. This club is one I anticipate every week and I will miss it so much next year. Still, I cannot wait to see what is in store for the club.
As I leave Centaurus, I hope to impart the Scroll and the Centaurus community with this: never be afraid to speak up on behalf of others and use your voice. Everyone has the power to make a difference in the world around them. It is the courage to try that makes the difference, and it is this courage that makes the Warrior Scroll so special.
Thank you to everyone who has been a part of the Warrior Scroll and my journey!
Finn Feldman
The Warrior Scroll has given me a lot of things: friends, practice in journalism, a thing to do on Tuesdays, but primarily hope. Hope, because every Tuesday a group of teenagers come in on their own accord to work on the monthly edition. Hope, because these students are such talented writers, photographers, and marketers who are so incredible in everything they do. Hope, because this is the future of journalism.
The importance of journalism can never be overstated. In today’s America, where distrust in the media is spiking, I am truly scared. I am scared for my (hopeful) future career as a photojournalist. But more so I am scared for the profession of journalism overall. I can no longer say in full confidence that I truly hope to be a photojournalist when I don’t even know if the word will exist years from now.
With public media companies being threatened for doing their job reporting on the world around them, even when it goes against the interest of those higher up in governmental/economic positions, I am terrified that the core basis of journalism is disintegrating. As AG Sulzberger for the New York Times recognizes, “There will be no worthwhile future for journalism if our profession abandons the core value that makes our work essential to democratic society, the value that answers the question of why we’re deserving of the public trust and the special protections afforded the free press. That value is journalistic independence.”
Still, the Warrior Scroll calms my (already very jittery) nerves. Every Tuesday, I see this smiling group of teenagers who reflect a bright future. These are people who care about the core values discussed above; people who really do want to see a better world and know that journalism is a path to it. I truly believe that these are the people who are going to change the world. They may not find the next Watergate scandal, but each and every one of them is such a bright, kind, and positive human being who makes you think, smile, and laugh at every conversion you have with them. If you ever have the pleasure of getting to know a member of the Scroll, I hope they change your life as much as they did mine. The Warrior Scroll is an amazing environment with these people, each and every one of them working together to make a perfect puzzle. In the kindest way ever, this is the greatest group of nerds I’ve had the pleasure of knowing.
So for every night spent editing photos, every game where I snuck onto the field and almost got hit by a ball; every time our articles got posted onto News Break and we got to read some (not so nice) comments; every weekend spent publishing articles and panic calling writers who didn’t finish; every hour spent in the LA office yapping off Ms. A’s and Mr. LaBella’s ears; and every time I have gotten extremely off track while presenting, I thank you all.
