Editor’s Note: Until Next Year

Dear Newspaperarians,

With the school year coming to an end, I’d like to restart a years-long tradition by writing some final thoughts as the editor-in-chief of the Force File.

I first encountered the newspaper as an elementary schooler looking over the shoulder of my brother, who participated as a writer, then column editor, and finally editor-in-chief of the Force File in his senior year. When I entered the activity fair as a freshman, I too found myself standing by the club’s poster enrolling in its ranks, eager to contribute to the upcoming fall editions.

The universe (or perhaps senioritis?) had other plans, however, and the only article I wrote that year never saw the light of day: website issues, funding concerns, and overcrowded schedules meant that the Force File never published a single word that year. The whole thing came flying down with a rather inglorious creak and a sigh.

Coming into sophomore year, I decided to take matters into my own hands and restarted the Force File from scratch with the help of a couple upperclassmen and friends. Thanks to their efforts, this website has amassed more than 20,000 views from 1.5k+ unique viewers in the past two years.

I could not have accomplished this feat without the help of the following extraordinary people:

Mrs. Eddy, who graciously moderated the club in its first year back.

Mr. Greenberg, for consistently moderating our meetings and reviewing our articles.

Hannah Shinoj & David Park, for providing their guidance and leadership as upperclassmen.

My section editors, for consistently writing insightful and entertaining articles.

And finally, all the writers who have contributed to the newspaper’s recent success.

As I finish up my junior year, I can look back with gratitude on everyone who has made the Force File possible for myself, its members, and the school community as a whole. I never thought this club would thrive as much as it has when it started last year, and its success has shown me what commitment and a bit of intrepidity can achieve with time. I can say confidnetly that the newspaper will continue to grow, and I look forward to leading it for one final run with a renewed dedication to creativity, engagement, and insightful journalism.

Until next year,

Alek Lee