Isabella Petruccione

I’ve never been good with goodbyes simply because I do not like the definitiveness of the term. I don’t plan on saying goodbye to the Howler because the experiences and knowledge that it has provided me with won’t leave me when I leave room 2214. They won’t leave me when I’m sitting in a college classroom or discussing the story plan for the next newspaper I write for– they won’t leave me regardless. I’d like to make this more of a thank you letter if you do not mind, for I feel like above all I owe all of you my highest gratitude.

I’d like to thank Mrs. Tekotte for being an inspiration to me throughout all four years of high school. I came to Wakefield fresh from a tiny private school of 200, half scared to death and half ready to conquer the world. When I joined newspaper, Mrs. Tekotte highly encouraged a sense of family, a sense of partnership between everyone on staff that helped me feel a sense of belonging at Wakefield (which I didn’t think I was going to get). She pushed each and every one of us on staff to actively follow the news and constantly learn new information– she kept us all sharp and gave us a platform to share our ideas and delegate change. Above all else, though, Mrs. Tekotte inspired me to question everything. She asked me questions throughout my years on newspaper that made me question how I perceived society and the goings-on within it. She watched me learn and grow and provided me with information and opportunities that I will forever be grateful for. Thank you Mrs. Tekotte.

I’d like to thank my fellow staff members on the Howler for not only being amazing, charismatic people to work with, but also for being tremendous friends. I have spent three years in this classroom, and I kid you not it has been the grounds for meeting some of the best people I’ve ever met. I’ve been surrounded by highly intelligent, highly motivated people who have shaped me and my work ethic tremendously. They’ve inspired me to pursue new things, even influenced my choice of a major in college and what I do with my free time. Howler staff past and present, thank you for being such an incredible driving force for me.

And to our readers and those who have supported us through the years, I thank you from the bottom of my heart. This is a chapter of my life that I will not forget but instead use to help me grow and flourish. I plan to study journalism in college, and hope that you all see my articles in The New York Times or CNN someday.