I joined The Tower on a whim. 

As I scheduled my classes at the end of junior year, I chose to fill an extra class period by joining the school newspaper, the idea of doing some creative writing sounding appealing. Come senior year, I am so grateful that I took that chance and spent this past year as the Creative Director of The Tower. As harrowing as the life of a high school student can be, spending each morning being welcomed by such a supportive and encouraging group each day made school exciting.

As it turns out, my binging of novel after novel and a devotional dedication to all of Taylor Swift’s discography has been successful in providing me with a healthy lexicon, which I have used throughout my articles in increasingly egregious instances of alliteration. Most weeks I wrote album reviews, scouring the internet for the newest releases and latest pop culture to analyze. Not only did this help me discover and expand my own musical taste, but also to find my voice and move away from the overly structured and monotonous writing of my English classes. Focusing on content that interests me rather than aiming for a word count has aided me in seeing writing as an escape rather than a burden. My time with The Tower has exponentially furthered my respect and admiration for the quality writing I see in my peers and in the world around me. 

So much of my academic career has been so intensely curriculum centered; this opportunity to explore my own interests and exercise creativity has been unbelievably refreshing. Being a reporter has helped me to learn more about myself and gain an awareness that will be vital to my collegiate journey. While I am not planning on pursuing a career in journalism, writing has become a form of expression for me that will be helpful outside of academics. I have committed to Loyola Chicago’s Rome Start program, in which I will spend the next year of my life at the John Felice Rome Center in Italy. I hope to use my learned skills of analysis and interpretation throughout my college classes. 

I am eternally grateful for my time with The Tower, as it was a major highlight of my high school experience. I wish the best of luck to next year’s crop of writers and move on to the next stage of my life knowing that The Tower is in very capable hands.