NOTE FROM THE EDITOR

In 2023, people’s lives are public domain. We live an existence filled with pictures of the now, now, now. Posts about what we think before we’ve had time to think. Pavlov is surely nodding somewhere as we all press LIKE over and over and over, but now the only stimulus is the hope that others will reciprocate and LIKE us back. To not be engaged in this world that thrives on instant gratification is an anomaly.

And that’s what our little publication is–an anomaly. A team of students gets together in the sanctity of my classroom every few months to hash out possible stories. “There are no bad ideas” is our mantra before every brainstorming session. Then the students disappear into their personal spaces to gather information and listen to others’ perspectives. And after they’ve thought for some time, they carefully place one word after the next in order to convey some truth. They submit their stories and pictures and then reset to do it all again. They’re content not knowing the exact number of “hits” they’ve gotten because they know, ultimately, what they do really matters.

We intentionally don’t have a LIKE button in our paper. Our writers don’t want one. They aren’t in this for some sort of recognition, but, rather, they write and take photos because they know that’s who they are, a mighty group who does what they do for all the right reasons. They don’t need the show and pomp. I beg them to give me headshots for the articles, as most would be fine pub- lishing without them. They don’t need it. And that feels entirely refreshing–humans who do what they do without the constant need for recognition, attention, or the insincere love of the masses.

And despite all of that–I do want them all to know how eternally grateful we all are for their commitment to the written word. We sincerely LIKE what they do.

Amongst these many fine writers on staff, it does deeply pain me to say goodbye to my many seniors. They have set a tone with this club that is unimaginable. They’ve served as leaders in every facet. In addition to the seniors who have been churning out dozens of articles since their freshman year, we also have several who are doing this for the first time and thrived in these past three issues (and one who is actually writing for the very first time this month…just because she wanted to give it a try). They aren’t padding a resume at this point in their careers–they already have enough to make them shine. They’re writing because they write. And that’s that.

So, thank you to all of the writers this year and their commitment to our little anomaly. And, maybe even more, their commitment to the notion that some things are more important than being superficially LIKED. There is something different about this space. And I hold steadfast that that is a very good thing. Thanks, as always, for reading,

Mr. Hemery

The Royal News Advisor