When I chose to join the Norse Star on a whim during my first year, I wasn’t sure what I was getting myself into. I wasn’t sure if I liked writing or interviewing; this was a decision I’d immediately regret once fall rolled around the following year. To my surprise, I was welcomed by a group of the kindest, funniest, and some of the most caring individuals I’ve met at SHS. Through the Norse Star, I’ve made some of my best friends, learned more about my community and peers than I ever thought possible, and made countless memories.
Starting my sophomore year as a staff writer, I worked to expand the scope of stories that we write to better encapsulate the community we serve. As a staff writer, I learned what it meant to be a student journalist and how to effectively cover a diverse student body. I got the hang of the ropes and fell in love with student journalism. Although I was at the bottom of the Norse Star totem poll, I still loved every moment, even when writing barely half a page took hours. This passion for writing and journalism didn’t come out of nowhere; it was entrusted to me by upper-level students on staff. The Norse Star is more than just a class; it’s more than just a newspaper; it’s a community of like-minded students who support and build each other up.
As a junior, I served as associate editor-in-chief, where I took on a new role and was responsible for the big-picture logistics of the newspaper. In this role, I saw high schoolers work their hardest towards something they believed in. Many nights were challenging; managing a group of 20 busy high schoolers is hard, and doing it all while simultaneously managing your own is even more difficult.
The Norse Star has given me countless opportunities to grow; I’m honored to serve as editor-in-chief for the 2024/2025 school year. I would not be in this position without the mentorship of former advisor Laura Streyle and current editor-in-chief Mylah Hall. Streyle taught me more than just how to write and edit articles properly; she taught me why to love student journalism and care about the bigger picture. With her constant critiques balanced with her continuous motivation and encouragement, I found what is so special about student journalism and the Norse Star. And needless to say, without Mylah I would’ve given up on those hard nights, and never figured out what it means to be a part of the Norse Star family.
The Norse Star offers SHS students a forum of civil and respected dialogue while highlighting events, beliefs, and perspectives that the SHS community may have otherwise ignored. I am excited to lead the Norse Star and stay committed to our central truth-finding mission for the SHS student body
Student journalism gives students a platform to cover the topics they deem necessary, and the Norse Star has a history of diving deep into the critical issues at hand. The Norse Star is often the sole source covering most SHS student events by covering topics relevant to students.
As your next editor-in-chief, I am excited to make the Norse Star the great student newspaper it once was. I look forward to working alongside Naomi Matthiesen as the newspaper’s next associate editor-in-chief. I am confident that the 2024/2025 publication cycle will be the best we have yet to see.
