EDITOR’S COMMENTS

NOTE FROM THE EDITOR

Adaptability. Scientists have long celebrated that trait in living beings who are able to outlast their respective peers and persevere in changing times. Time marches forward whether we like it or not, and sometimes it brings welcome change. But sometimes it does not. The world is lingering in one of those “not” moments right now, but, like so much of change, the trajectory of time is out of our immediate control. All we can change is our reaction to these times.

The student journalists in these pages understand adaptability. They came to this class wide-eyed and unsure of what this new style of learning would look like—their classmates and teacher sometimes encrypted into ones and zeros, sent over a wire, and interpreted by their home computers to recreate the likeness of people.

Instead of giving up, they rolled up their sleeves and gave their all to the process. They conducted interviews over Zoom calls and oth-

er electronic mediums. They practiced their writing craft using new educational techniques that, after a few weeks of practice, became normal. They critiqued one another’s articles in virtual breakout rooms. That word, “virtual,” has taken over our lives and is laden with an implication of “not real.” But the work was anything but virtual. It was real.

This is all real. The learning that is taking place in this class is real learning. As are the words in these articles. They were penned by students who refused to give up. They, instead, chose to adapt. And thrive.

I am forever proud and inspired by young people who remind me every day of what matters. Thank you, as always, for reading the students’ work and celebrating their unwavering spirit of adaptability.

-Mr. Hemery November 2020