I was at Rineyville Elementary one weekend when the idea of joining the staff came to mind. Caught up in the stressors and the work of sophomore year, I randomly looked at the CHHS homepage for no particular reason. I saw the application staring back at me and I completed the application without a thought. I knew I wanted to be on the staff, I just didn’t know how to. So when the opportunity came about, I couldn’t let it go. This one decision changed my life, and these last two years have been nothing short of happy. 

Walking into an unfamiliar environment was terrifying. I sat quietly and spoke when I had to. I so badly wanted the other staff members to like me and, more importantly, respect me as a journalist. 

I started writing articles and was getting better with each one. By the end of that first year, there were so many senior staff members who were leaving, and only about four of us returning members. Because of this, we needed to fill some leadership positions on the staff. 

In my heart, I knew I wanted to be the Social Media Manager. Following in the footsteps of Syra Lundergan would be a huge honor, but a difficult job. However, I landed the position at the beginning of the school year when I thought someone else had already landed the role. 

I was constantly liking posts, sharing, posting, writing articles, and editing articles. It was a full-time job, but I did it because I loved it. 

I’m also an active member of FCCLA, Educators Rising, and Beta Club in addition to being on the Times. Serving as the President in both FCCLA and Educators Rising. It is a lot to handle, but it wasn’t anything I couldn’t handle. 

Being on the Times staff taught me to be more extroverted and speak to the student body like a celebrity commanding the attention of the room. I joined a group of talented writers and grew not only as an individual but as a journalist. 

I want to thank Susan Sherrard for always pushing me to do my best. She believed in me to do the social media manager role, and I’ve done a great job, in her own words. She is an inspirational teacher who has no doubt influenced my success. 

I want to thank everyone I’ve had the honor of working with on the staff. Each person has taught me so much, and I’m so grateful for the camaraderie on the staff.

I want to thank my parents for always supporting me in every endeavor that I have involved myself in. I can always count on them to read and share my articles like the proud parents they are. 

Lastly, I want to thank the student body for supporting the Central Times and giving us our platform. Our student body at Central is smart, talented, athletic, and well-rounded individuals who always give me something new to write about or post on social media about. 

Ultimately, all good things must come to an end. However, I hope to continue my journalism career at Eastern Kentucky University, where I will be studying journalism and Family and Consumer Sciences Education. My advice to the underclassman is not to waste a day; live in the moment. You would never think that the article you wrote on a random Sunday would be your last. 

-Your 2024-2025 Central Times Staff Social Media Manager Signing off