Wow. I can’t believe it’s this time of year again. I’ve been thinking about this moment where I sit at my computer and write my goodbyes to you all year, and I still am lost for words. I remember being a sophomore sitting in student activities, intimidated by the fast typing of upperclassmen around me as I talked to Greg and Hannah about my new role as a staff writer. I remember being an entertainment editor, running around after school to find quotes and bringing Darsh with me because I was too scared to ask people myself. Now, I remember my experiences at Chariot so fondly, and I hope our time together are memories that you will cherish throughout your high school careers. I remember how much Tina and Rachel’s goodbyes meant to me as a junior, so everything I’m writing to you all comes from the heart.
Izzy: Every time I look at your artwork, I am amazed. Your artistry, even with just a pencil and paper, can create something so beautiful and thought-provoking. The way that you are able to create highlights and shadows on a blank canvas is astonishing. Thank you for picking your art assignments on time and submitting them by the deadline. I know that it’s not always easy or possible to create a deadline for a medium that is so creative and subjective, but you always submit on time anyway. Your artwork brings our paper to life and gives The Chariot the character and personality that it has.
Guneet: I remember the first ever article I laid out as an editor was an article called “Say Cheese” about the 2022 movie “Smile.” I remember when I had to lay out the artwork I was HORRIFIED at the face surrounded by a black background. If I was scared, that means you were doing something right. Thank you for creating artwork that ignites emotion in people. That truly is a rare quality to possess.
Suha: Thank you so much for your incredible artwork, but most of all for your kindness and humor during art meetings. You are such a fun and enthusiastic person, and I can tell by our conversations, as well as your artwork, that you are passionate about our school community. Every student has different ways of contributing to their community, can I think you do that perfectly through your artwork. Please continue being creative and forging artwork that speaks to you.
Ann: Whenever I think of you, the first thing I think about is your kindness and sweet demeanor. Whenever I talk to you, you always brighten my day. Your artwork is equally as enjoyable as your spirit. I’m sure that we will run into each other in the future at Stony Brook!
Lindsay: Thank you so much for your creative art style. Your art has such a unique aesthetic that I love. Thank you for being such a great orchestra partner. You are such a wonderful musician and I know you will continue to be such a great artist, both musically and artistically.
Zahra: I love how you are such a multifaceted and enthusiastic student. When we needed more artists on staff, you were the first person to come to us and volunteer your time and passion. I also love how you pick up articles that interest you. It’s so wonderful to bear witness to your many talents, from your art to your writing.
Areej: Thank you for taking such high quality photos. When I see your name written for specific photos on the sheets, I know that that photo will be a great photo. You clearly have put so much time and effort into perfecting a craft you are so passionate about.
Alvin: Thank you for taking photos for The Chariot. I’m glad that photography is a medium where you can contribute in meaningful ways to our school community.
Disha: Thank you for being such a digitally savvy social media manager. Also, thank you for helping us to start a facebook account. I appreciate everything you have done to increase our social media presence.
Julia: Every time I look at the sheets and see an article being edited by you, I know I won’t have to touch it at all. Your editing is impeccable, and I love how well-researched and cited every single article is. I’ve always felt that the role of an editor is not to insert their own writing style into an article, but to transform a writer’s work into a piece that is articulate, thoughtful and compelling while still maintaining the writer’s original voice. You do exactly that. I also love the article ideas you suggest– the scientific article ideas you bring up are so immersed with society and the world right now while also being relatable and interesting to students. One of many reasons why I love journalism so much is because I learn something every single day. From listening to article ideas, to reading articles, to interviewing people from so many different phases of life, my outlook of the world is expanded and my perspective is changed. Every time I listen to your article ideas or read one of your articles, you open my eyes to so many interesting and diverse topics and I learn something each time. From the solar eclipse to the webb telescope and the ethics of cloning, I learn so much from you every single day, and your ideas and articles are why I love journalism.
Shohom: Words are powerful instruments of change, and I appreciate your enthusiasm and determination to write about topics that are important to you. Your editorial about Israel and Palestine was well-balanced and nuanced, and of course it was so well-researched. Your calm, introspective and thoughtful demeanor always brings a sense of peace and focus to layout, and helps center us when we are feeling overwhelmed or stressed. You and Julia are such a science duo!! Whenever I read your articles, I learn so much about technology, space, and the world around us. You teach me so much about AI, and you are the first person I go to when I want to talk about AI with someone. I hope you keep suggesting such great article ideas, and I hope you continue to use your words to create positive change.
Marco: Even though the whole “Marco doesn’t actually go here” thing started as a joke, now I’m starting to believe it! You have endless energy and enthusiasm to devote to so many different clubs and activities at our school, and I am genuinely amazed at how well you balance and do all of them. You are such an integral part of NHP culture, and our community would not be the same without you. I also am so amazed to see how you think– sometimes during brainstorming, all of us would bounce ideas off each other, and I would see you quietly contemplating an idea, and you would then suggest the most brilliant, thoughtful idea that leaves all of our jaws on the floor. I am genuinely astonished at how clever and well designed your ideas are, and you come up with suggestions that I would never have thought of. I also appreciate that even as features editor and now Model UN president (congratulations!), you are the first person to say when there are too many political articles. Everything about The Chariot is about finding balance, and features is not just about politics or current events in the world– it is about issues within our broader society and NHP community that relate to students and teachers within our school building. I think you understand that so deeply and innately.
Rachel: Thank you for your reliability and consistency. Not just with your pristine editing, but with your quiet and focused presence. You come to layout and you get. it. done! I never have to worry about editing with your articles, because I know it will already be perfect. You know AP Stylebook like the back of your hand. I also appreciate how you go above and beyond for us. Even when Fiona or myself don’t ask you to do anything, you are the first person to help transcribe quote or help someone else edit an article. You also always come to layout! Thank you so much for your open communication with us and the writers as well. That can be a very difficult thing to do sometimes. I also love to see how you have blossomed over the course of this school year. I think back to October, when all of us were pretty new to staff, and I think about now, where you have become so confident and secure in talking to writers, and presenting during distribution. I appreciate your growth and your many talents.
DARSH!!!!! Thank you for being my LITERAL day one. You have always been there for me, even before this year. I remember being practically attached to the hip to you last year, when I was running around getting quotes but I was so scared to actually talk to anyone. When I think of you, I think of the times we would climb out of the student activities window and talk to athletes, or anyone willing to give us a quote. Your enthusiasm and extroverted nature has saved me in more situations than I would care to admit. Your passion for your many activities gave me confidence to fulfill my role, whether that was getting quotes or publishing an editorial. I also remember last year’s Adelphi Press Day, where we were literally running from workshop-to-workshop, trying to make it on time so we would get seats. I still have those photos I took of you during the photo workshop!! I also don’t know how you do it– how do you have so much time in one day to do all of the activities that you do? From taking multiple AP’s to Chariot, to volunteering at the fire department, to Model UN, to student council, to so many other things that I know I am missing, you somehow do it all and still have energy to spare. You are such an energizing force at The Chariot– the second you walk into student activities, our whole dynamic shifts and the entire room becomes so lively and filled with fun.
Evyn: Your passion for media is so evident. I can clearly tell that you love what you do, not just with Chariot but with every activity. You have always gone above and beyond for us, without me or Fiona even asking you to do anything. I appreciate the photos you take for us, and how you take photos that we need when we are in a pinch. Even when I forgot to tell you to take certain photos, you already knew we needed them and took them anyway! Even when you were a staff writer, you were so passionate about Chariot and wanted to take on more right away. Sometimes you took on so much work that I was worried about how you would finish it all on time! But of course you did. I also love your presence during layout. You are what Ms. Mannle calls a “people gatherer”– you just constantly attract more and more people because of how fun you are to be around. You are such a genuine and kind person, and you help create such a beautiful dynamic between all of us during layout. There are so many wonderful qualities about you that I want to list, but doing so would fill up the rest of this article!
Michayla: Maybe I’m biased, but something about entertainment just always knows how to get things done! I know that with entertainment, your work will always be done by the deadline. You are also such a funny person! Your sense of humor is so contagious and you brighten everyone’s day at layout. When I step foot into layout and say that I’m in the best place in the whole world, I truly mean it. Thank you for helping to make layout such a fun place to be.
Abhiveer: Since day one of this school year, I never had to worry about your articles. The second that I saw that you’re editing an article, I knew it would be done by the deadline. Your consistency is incredible, and you’re the kind of consistency we need in an environment that is chaotic and sometimes unpredictable and overwhelming. Your article ideas are so fun to listen to. I like hearing your ideas about the latest movie that’s come out, or reading your articles about a movie I might have watched.
Dylan: I think the best way to describe sports is like organized chaos (in the best way possible!) Even if sports is behind on some articles, at the end of the day you always get it done no matter what. I also think that sports is a particularly difficult section to write, especially if you don’t play a sport or know much about sports. You and Arjit are such experts when it comes to sports writing. I know that whenever I read a sports article written by either of you, it is so deftly written. You talk and write about sports with such ease that is essential to any sports editor. Thank you for constantly communicating with the writers, which especially with sports articles can be difficult at times. I also love to see how you have improved throughout the school year– I remember at the beginning of the year, everyone was having a hard time with Wix, and now you have become such an expert with it (and now SNO!). One thing I remember specifically was your work on the Hofstra playoffs article. You were able to transform that article into something amazing, which even earned us honorable mention at Adelphi Press Day. The time and dedication you devoted to that article is something that I will never forget. The way that you are able to transfigure articles from a regular article into a compelling and interesting piece about sports is so admirable, and also a rare quality to possess.
Arjit: Thank you for taking on extra articles when we need them to be written. You always go above and beyond in that way and I am so grateful for that. Sometimes, it can be difficult to get sports writers because it’s a difficult section to write, but you pick up articles and write them with such ease and confidence. Even when Fiona and I haven’t asked you to take an article, you take one anyway because you are so passionate about sports and what you are writing about. I think that’s what makes journalism so fun. I hope you continue to write about topics that interest you, whether that is sports or anything else. You also teach me so much about sports that I would never have known otherwise. Because of you and Dylan (and Mr. Brusca), I know at least a little bit about baseball!
Manal: Thank you for taking on last-minute articles. When we are in a pinch, I know I can always rely on you to get it done fast. Your kindness and communication cannot be emphasized enough, especially when Fiona and I are contacting so many people about quotes, articles, interviews, and so many other things.
Jacob: I will never forget how endlessly kind and dedicated you are, and how you carry that with you in everything that you do. You are so thoughtful and considerate, and you are always at layout. You contribute so much to layout, not just with your articles and quotes, but with your calm nature. You are always there for us in a pinch and I appreciate that so much.
Carmela: Thank you for the lively dynamic you bring to layout! I love when you stop by and chat with us and give us some updates on your articles. You are so dependable, and I love your confidence especially when interviewing faculty members and administration. I will always remember your sassiness (in a good way!) and your fun attitude.
Fatima: When I think of you, the first thing I think about is your ambition and drive as a journalist. I can tell you clearly love journalism and writing, and your articles reflect that. Please keep pursuing journalism and writing!
Fiona: I don’t even know where to begin with this. There are so many amazing qualities about you and not enough words in the dictionary to describe how amazing this journey has been with you, but I will try my best. I’m beyond grateful to have had the opportunity to get to know you better and become friends with you. You are so funny and charismatic, and always have the best anecdotes or TikTok references to add during layout. You always brighten up the group dynamic, and you make everyone’s day so much better. It’s so evident how much you care about our school from the variety of activities that you do on a daily basis. Thank you for being assertive and making sure work is submitted by the deadline. Without you we literally would not have a paper. Most of all, thank you for being an amazing friend. I remember at the beginning of this school year during the October issue, when both of us were overwhelmed and struggling to stay afloat with the amount of responsibility we had on our shoulders. Thank you for being there for me when it felt like everything was going to fall apart. During those moments, I had you and knew that together we would be okay. Thank you, Thank you, Thank you.
Ms. Mannle: I have so much I want to say yet it feels like I have so little time or space on my google doc to say it all. Right now, my cursor is blinking right back at me because I am trying to articulate exactly what I want to say in the most concise and thoughtful way possible, but if I keep doing that, I think I would sit here all day. Thank you for being such an amazing newspaper adviser and mentor to me. This journey with you and Fiona has been so incredible and I wouldn’t trade it for anything. Your wisdom and kindness has been invaluable to me and you always knew how to stay calm even in frustrating situations. You are one of a small handful of teachers that have taught me that learning extends beyond the classroom. You have taught me so much, not just about journalism, or The Chariot, or how to run a newspaper, but about life in general. You also taught me that there is so much fun in learning, especially learning about the english language. Even when I am having a bad day, The Chariot is the one thing that I look forward to because I get to talk to you. Even as a staff writer and section editor, I came to layout and stayed so late because I got to be with you and be in such a kind and welcoming environment that you created. Because of you, The Chariot feels like a second home to me.
