We are the class that built this place from the ground up in both traditions and expectations. My four years in G215 with the Elkhorn North Journalism Department has supplied me with countless lessons, fond memories, and a flowing group of incredible people that never fail to impress me. I am incredibly honored to be addressing this year’s senior issue as the Editor-In-Chief of the North Howler.
The North Howler serves as the voice of students here at ENHS–a humorous, informative, confrontational, entertaining, and occasionally problematic voice. Through the power held by each of our own reporter’s and editor’s voices, journalism has instigated change within the walls of this school.
The first editors, Sami Frost and Maddie Ellis, set the precedent for creative freedom and pushing the boundaries of “school topics”, McKenna Ostler and Tara Binte-Sharil paved the way for Graphic Design, Megan Cunningham gave the North Howler a social media presence, and Caleb Polking innovatively covered high school sports via streaming and writing. I had the privilege of learning from all of these alumni: how to write, when to shut-up, and effective ways to lead a group of loud, incredibly talented students.
The 2023-24 North Howler staff consisted of 21 students, many of whom had no prior journalism experience. It was amazing to have so many new faces with fresh ideas, though there was a lot of teaching to be done. I am so incredibly proud of the growth I have seen in each and every single reporter. They truly learned so much in a short period of time and started producing quality work early in the year.
A lot of this can be attributed to the immeasurable efforts of the editing team.
Grace Jesske was an excellent mentor who answered every question thoughtfully and helped to develop intriguing angles.
Courtney Hagestad instilled the rules of AP style writing in everyone–including myself.
Brandon Urbano had his work cut out for him editing every photo series and serving as a hotline for all sports questions, all whilst providing professional photos and graphics to the sport teams of ENHS.
And finally, to the youngest of the editing team, Kailey O’Brien, I am so excited to see what you and the North Howler accomplish next year.
The most impactful person in the Elkhorn North Journalism department is none other than our adviser Chloe Healy. Ms. Healy has been my teacher, my role model, and has become a confidant within the walls of Elkhorn North. She has not only heavily impacted my career as a writer, but newspaper as a whole in the district. The harsh reality is journalism as we know it is going extinct. Hard copies of the Times or Herald or Gazette are rare sightings anymore and Ms. Healy has made strides to modernize the newspaper and journalism programs in EPS. We have high student-engagement on our social media platforms and an extremely active online presence. Elkhorn North is pioneering digital journalism in Nebraska and Ms. Healy is the fearless trailblazer.
It is hard to find the words strong enough to express my gratitude to Ms. Healy. Her advice and lessons stem beyond just journalism for myself and many others. My sophomore year I wrote a controversial sports piece and received an immense amount of backlash from students, coaches, and parents. Ms. Healy and I navigated the intense situation together and I truly couldn’t have done it without her and her endless support.
To the current and future writers of the North Howler: Be unapologetically you.
I published a piece for the purpose of spreading awareness and received mass amounts of hate that made it difficult to go about my school day, but I don’t regret a thing. Journalism is intended to spark conversation and create change, so write what you want to write fearlessly and trust your fellow reporters to have your back.
With that, be there for your classmates when they put themselves on the line for journalism. Even if one person is persuaded or one team makes a change you did your job successfully. The North Howler has always been and always will be a group that supports and encourages creative freedom and originality so be YOU.
To the readers of the North Howler: Be patient and kind. A high school newspaper is a group of teenagers putting in time to produce all sorts of content for the entertainment and benefit of readers. Writing articles about hard hitting and sensitive subjects takes courage. It is unrealistic to expect everyone to agree on sensitive topics, but my biggest ask of readers is to demonstrate respect.
I have grown from a timid sophomore journalist writing under an anonymous title to the editor-in-chief encouraging the next generation to be bold, brave, and passionate, and it is because of this journalism program. I will miss fourth hour in G215 and the North Howler vastly but I cannot wait to see the future successes they reach and the barriers they break.
Thank you Elkhorn North students, faculty, and families for the support the Howler has received the past four years. This is a place truly like no other and there’s nowhere or no one else I’d rather have led this past year.
