To the Niles West student body and faculty,
I enrolled in Journalism as a freshman solely to get my English elective credit done with. I was your typical freshman girl, I thought I was the coolest but deep down I was scared to even look a senior in the eye. I didn’t take the class seriously, and despite my love for writing, I would rather take selfies on the Mac computer in the back of the classroom with my friends than actually pay attention.
Luckily for me, my teacher, Ms. Evelyn Lauer, saw something in me and pushed me to step away from my pride. I started utilizing and strengthening my passion for journalism by not only paying attention in class, but by joining the Niles West News. And let me just tell you, dedicating your life to something for four years makes it VERY hard to walk away from.
From freshman year until now, not only have my writing, photography, and communication skills progressed, but so has my personality. Yes, at this age, high schoolers are changing all the time and are not expected to be the same person for these four years. But journalism did something different for me. It allowed me to open up my heart to not only people, but ideas. I can assure you that the smile on my face and the light in my eyes was not here before I fell in love with journalism.
High school has not only been a learning environment for me. I have spent hours talking to the adults in the building, creating bonds that I know will last for years to come. I want to take the time to thank the teachers I’ve had over the last four years- I wouldn’t be where I am today if it weren’t for all of you.
To Mr. DJ Kosiba, I want to thank you for not only teaching me information that I have been able to retain and use in my current life, but being one of the greatest role models I have had the honor to look up to. You added pieces of reality to your classroom, and treated us as adults, preparing us for the real world.
To Ms. Dena Lichterman, you have the faith in your students that every teacher should possess. Instead of going day to day, going through the same routines, you specifically drive the content in your class to each student. Outside of the classroom I have created a bond with you that I know will last even past college, and I’m looking forward to going for tea with you. Thank you again.
To Mr. Daniel Quinlan, I simply want to thank you for caring. Aside from the wonderful plays and novels we read in College Prep, I could easily spend my lunch periods talking to you in the Lit Center about continuations of the material we learned in class. I will carry what I learned from you with me for years to come.
To Ms. Rachel Gross, you have influenced me so much over the last four years. I have been lucky enough to travel with you for NWN conventions, and have a different kind of relationship than the normal student-teacher interactions. I know that I can come to you for anything, and I can’t wait to keep in touch.
And to Ms. Lauer, you are the single handed most influential person in my life so far. I cannot thank you enough for the journey you led me down, the opportunities you introduced me to, and the doors you opened up for me. You are my mentor, second mom, and best friend all in one. I have no doubt in my mind that you will be a big part of the rest of my life.
Now, for the students.
We have gotten D’s on the tests we spent hours studying for, and we have pulled A’s off on the ones that looked like a foreign language to us. We have made new friends, and lost old ones. We have been accustomed to the nights we only got five hours of sleep, but still took advantage of those crucial mornings to come to school a little late to sleep in.
Some of you I have spent years getting to know, and some I have only gotten a semester with. No matter the amount of time, I want to thank you for building my life to where it is now, and acknowledge that you have all influenced me in one way or another.
A special shoutout to the Fairview kids, I know that not all of us have been able to stay close and in touch throughout high school, but the past 13 years with you have meant more than you’ll ever know. I wish you all nothing but the best.
To the class of 2016 as a whole, it’s been a wild ride. Through all of the ups and downs,we have made memories that will last a lifetime. I hope all of your dreams come true, you accomplish all of your goals, and most importantly, you end up doing something that makes you genuinely happy. Remember, this is merely the end of the beginning.
Good luck and good bye,
Emily Butera
