As Managing Editor, looking back on this year with The Cricket brings up an array of emotions that I never expected when Gia first pushed me to join the newspaper. It was originally just as a way to write creatively and spend time with friends. What started as a simple suggestion became one of the most enjoyable experiences of my senior year.
Taking on a leadership role definitely added stress during publishing weeks, as I chased down journalists to make sure they had, at the very least, titled a Google Doc or sent out a single email about interviews. But I quickly grew to love this pressure, finding something addictive about the controlled chaos of deadline week and that incredible moment when everything finally clicks into place.
The Cricket has connected me to Grier in ways I never anticipated. Looking through old year books, archives, and interviewing faculty about the school’s history gave me a deeper appreciation for this place and the remarkable women who once held the same passion for writing. But what I treasure most are the friendships I’ve formed. Through last minute scrambles and pitch meetings that led to 10 different unrelated conversations, I met girls I never would have known otherwise.
Managing the Cricket taught me problem-solving skills I didn’t know I had. I learned to keep everyone on track while respecting their way of crafting their own writing and voice. I found joy helping struggling writers find sources or figure out how to contact people. I especially loved helping younger girls.
The Cricket will always hold a special place in my heart. When I look back on my Grier experience, I will always remember the stories I got to tell, deadlines I rushed everyone to meet, and all the laughs shared at meetings.
