Iris Huang
Four years later, and I still can’t tell you what potential Mrs. Little saw in me — a shy, reserved freshman — when she made an exception to let me onto her sophomore-up staff. I knew absolutely nothing about journalism, nor was I particularly fond of writing — all I knew was that I was joining a class of highly-skilled students producing award-winning publications, which was something that felt far beyond my abilities. Yet, here I am, overseeing a brand new staff of promising reporters as co-editor-in-chief, doing my best to help each of them find their voice and their place in our community, just as others once did for me.
I won’t lie — the learning curve was undoubtedly steep. On top of trying to understand the Adobe suite and journalistic writing, merely thinking of interviewing someone terrified me; leading conversations was a skill I was severely lacking. Even more, one of my first interviewees was the formidable Christopher McQueen, who left me completely frightened and permanently scarred (in the best way possible). However, after years of building self-confidence, I can now proudly say that when I speak, it no longer comes out as a whisper. In fact, I actively seek out my next interviewee and the next story to write. Our community — the very friends, family and strangers surrounding us — radiates with unheard brilliance, and I found my passion for seeking and sharing it in the most meaningful way.
As the year comes to an end, the feeling is bittersweet. Nordic has been a part of my entire high school journey, and while I am beyond thrilled to never have to grapple with InDesign and Illustrator again, I am definitely going to miss the people. Mrs. Little, who has been the best mentor I could ever ask for; my fellow co-editors, who have kept me sane this past year; our passionate staff, who remind me why I love doing this job; my interviewees, who have revealed the beauty of storytelling to me — I am indebted to you all for giving me this extraordinary, unforgettable experience. As the next wave of aspiring journalists step onto this incredible path, I am excited to see what amazing feats Shyam, Langley and Danny will help Nordic accomplish! Long Live the Nord!
Callie Tse
Entering Nordic with the intention of doing the least work possible, I had no idea that I would come to spend hours stressing over every tiny detail of a newspaper that I never even read as a freshman. Three years later, when I’m elbow-deep in a stack of edits and rushing to scribble my last comment, speed-reading centerspread five minutes before export or squinting at an article in the darkness of the IHS parking lot after the fire alarm went off, I ask myself why I ran for the web editor-in-chief position.
Leading Nordic is akin to holding onto a raft for dear life. Every issue, I hope that the waves — miraculous replies from ghost interviewees and last-minute photos — will wash us ashore to export day. The thing about Nordic, however, is that the challenge is what makes the final product all that much more rewarding. I am so proud of the hurdles we have overcome this year. Never mind the tears, lost work and incessant anger at InDesign, every reporter and editor should feel pride that they have been part of something greater than themselves, and that they all have a defining role in this publication.
I will be forever grateful for the support of my co-editors, Iris and Annabelle. No issue would have been possible without Iris’s endless dedication to detail and reliability. I always admire Annabelle’s constructive and considerate feedback. No matter how dire the situation, our adaptability to still produce a comprehensive paper is something I’ll feel immensely proud of well into the future. Of course, Nordic wouldn’t be possible without Mrs. Little — I know I can always trust your advice.
Although I came into Nordic afraid of the prospect of interviewing strangers, I’m graduating as someone who now connects reporters to interviewees. As I made my way down the long, winding path of capturing the soul of each person’s story, I’ve grown not only as a writer who elevates student voice, but as a person who seeks out the same responsibility that used to feel overwhelming. I’ve valued every moment of working with this incredible team, and I have no doubt that Langley, Shyam and Danny will lead a bold and purposeful year of reporting. Long Live the Nord!
Annabelle Yip
Halfway through my third coffee at 4 a.m., it’s hard to remember why I applied to Nordic in the first place. In my pursuit to become the next Rory Gilmore, I idolized the articulation and intelligence of my favorite characters. It was a long time before I realized that writing was secondary to the true brilliance of journalism: the people involved.
Over time, I stopped chasing the idea of eloquent writing for its own sake and began to value the connections it made possible. The ability to take an individual’s story and transform it into something vulnerable and public — while magnifying its impact — is a powerful tool that I will treasure forever.
Writing has always been difficult for me precisely because I care about it so deeply. To this day, I struggle to revisit old articles without feeling some level of embarrassment. Yet that discomfort is what enabled me to improve. It took time for me to accept criticism and even longer to welcome it, but I realize now that this is one of the most powerful lessons I learned. Nordic gave me the opportunity to grow through my mistakes instead of fearing them. As an editor, I can only hope that I taught the same lesson to reporters who so graciously accepted my critique.
I’m extremely proud to call my co-editors my friends, and I have no doubt that they will succeed in whatever they pursue. Iris’s eye for detail and design has made her invaluable to both the literary and visual impact of the publication, while Callie’s problem-solving and consistency have been essential to maintaining stability in the face of our most chaotic challenges. I will never be able to express how thankful I am for the support and expertise of Mrs. Little. While I never struggled to be outspoken, there is a difference between merely commanding attention and being trusted and respected enough to lead. Mrs. Little taught me to become the latter.
Leaving Nordic feels strange because this publication has shaped so much of who I became during high school. Still, every ending creates room for new stories. I am confident that Langley, Shyam and Danny will continue to grow the publication in this new chapter. Long Live the Nord!
