Lyndee McKay (Adviser): Year 4 is in the books and you were such a great staff! Think about all of the things you wrote about this year: Hillcrest, politics, fashion tips, airplanes, all the sports, and even those kibbles and bits articles you hated. Think of how much you’ve grown, how many times you laughed in class, and all of the new friendships you forged! It has been a pleasure to watch you grow and to see you share your opinions and passionately discuss things that matter to you. This was a special year in newspaper: you saw me cry through the heartbreak infertility, and you were the first students I told that I was finally expecting. And to top it off, you raised money and bought me BIRKENSTOCKS! How can I ever thank you for being my kids?

The press is alive and well, and it would behoove you to remain informed and to seek out truth wherever you are. Seek out and verify sources, inform others about important topics, and continue to become the best writers you can be. Special shout out to the editors, especially Cameron and Torrie, who kept this publication afloat and who spent countless hours dedicated to this website. I love you all so much, and I hope you will always remember how much you mean to me.

Cameron McCleary (Editor in Chief): What a year. I couldn’t have been more blessed to be part of such a cool club and make some really good memories. Being the editor in chief was such an honor and I’m glad I had the opportunity to do what I love surrounded by some of the best. If you are debating doing Newspaper, you definitely should. McKay is literally the greatest ever. I am so lucky to be a part of something that makes saying goodbye so hard. Hillcrest rules, and no school will ever compare! I am looking forward to seeing what the paper becomes.

Torrie Heffron (Copy Editor): Well hello again, but also goodbye. This is the final goodbye, and let me tell you this year was a challenge. What a challenge it was to push through till the end, to get to know new people, to simply adjust to new people. I definitely grew from this class, I learned new things, met new people and simply just became a new person all together. This is the final goodbye, goodbye to all my movie reviews, and all the crappy interviews. Peace out, yo. Torrie is out for good!!!!!!!!!

Hanna Emery (Photo Editor): Newspaper has taught me more and more each year I join, it allows me to get out all of the opinions that float around my brain. This year had many ups, and so many downs, but Mrs.Mckay stuck with me for each one. I love her and this class very much and I can’t wait to see what my last year brings me. Lots of articles turned in on time of course.

Shiana Goodrich (Social Media Editor): I have been in newspaper for a total of three years now and it’s been some of my best memories. I have met so many new people throughout the years. I went from not knowing what to really write and how to write, to easily flow words onto a blank page. I have went from just an reporter in my freshman year to being an Arts and Entertainment Editor my junior to now being the Social Media Editor my senior year. I’m grateful for all the opportunities that these four years of high school have given me, but I’m ready to be done waking up at 6 in the morning Monday through Friday. Thank you Mrs.McKay for making my three years amazing.

Danyelle Robertson (News Editor): I loved my last year in Newspaper. I loved improving my writing to prepare me for college. I missed the seniors (and Alejandro) from last year, but I made a lot of new friends this year. The best part of my year was sitting next to Cameron and being introduced to the game quad blocks. https://www.coolmathgames.com/0-quad-blocks Everyone check it out. Go quad blocks!!!!

Madilyn Wallace (Features Editor): I have enjoyed writing for the Husky PawPrint and being the Features Editor, as being editor has helped me take on a leadership role. Even though I am a junior, I am not certain I will be on the staff next year. CTEC is taking half of my schedule next year so I have to choose my other half of my classes carefully. Hopefully I can be on next year’s staff to help the Hillcrest populace remain informed, but if not, I am confident that we will have fantastic reporters and editors that will do even better than I can. We have variety in our class and I hope the Husky PawPrint remains diverse and informative as the years pass on.

Sydney Robbins (Sports Editor): One of my favorite parts about Newspaper this year was that it was an escape from all of the stress of Junior year. With all my AP classes and studying for the ACT a lot of my classes were very intense, but Newspaper was a place where I could come and not stress about any of that. There were so many great people in the class and I’m going to miss all of them, but it was definitely a year I won’t ever forget!

Sam Nielson (Arts and Entertainment Editor): This year in newspaper, I was given the opportunity to expand my experience of writing about many types of things. I challenged myself to write about topics that I am not very interested in, which forced me to develop news articles even when I didn’t have the strongest motivation to do so. However, more often than not, I was able to write about topics in which I have a strong interest in, which allowed me to not only write good articles about them, but to strengthen my understanding of each topic. Being able to write a wide range of news articles has strengthened my writing ability, and has overall prepared me for writing in the future.

Litzi Carmona (Opinion Editor): Here we are again, this is my third time writing one of these. This year I was able to get an editor position. I have always wanted to have a higher position since my freshman year. I have changed so much as a person from sophomore year. Hanna and Eseza have been there for me through every little thing. I will always appreciate the friendship I have with those beautiful ladies. This year has not been the best for me mentally but my love for this class will never change. Mrs. McKay is also having a baby and I have been waiting for this moment since my freshman year. I am so glad I was able to be here to watch her grow and get ready to become a mother. This year was very hectic and interesting and I am so ready for another year of newspaper. This is me, signing off until next school year.

Bazin Barzanji (Reporter): This class has taught me so much. I feel so blessed and happy to be able to say that I am a part of a little family within the school. I have made so many friends, and I have had so many laughs, and such good times in this class, and I will never forget it.  I kept hitting everyone with a #WOAHHH hehe. (I have junioritis, it’s a real thing, that’s why I skipped a couple times). Anyways, it has been so interesting to hear about other people’s lives and what they are interested in. I love watching people grow, and I too have been in that growing process within this class. PEACE OUT HILLCREST

Sam Blake (Reporter): Newspaper was really fun. I was glad I could be a part of the team. The parties were fun and the time with the boys was dope.  It’s been real. It’s been fun. It’s been real fun.

Tanner Cluff (Reporter): Thank you guys for everything you did for me I will never forget you guys.

Makayla Dotson (Reporter): Newspaper had lots of different memories for everyone, and the group of students were all very diverse. I loved getting to meet so many people and hear all of their interests through their ability to write. I have grown as a writer because of this class, and have learned a lot more about the world around me. This class is the one that you can walk away from and actually take real life lessons from.

Sadie Greenhalgh (Reporter): This was my first and last year on Newspaper and I’ve enjoyed every second of it. I was probably the only one who joined because I wanted to learn how to write but I ended up getting to talk to people that I never talk to. I’m excited to graduate but I will miss fighting over articles in staff meetings and talking about the Bachelor and Grey’s Anatomy. This was fun but I’m ready to peace out of high school. Thank you McKay for teaching me literally so much, about writing and about how we should treat each other. So peace out!

Weston Hamilton (Reporter): The school newspaper was never a class I thought I would take, especially my senior year. I’ve always thought the newspaper class was for nerds, or geeks with no social status. Until I met the greatest teacher alive, Mrs. McKay. She has helped me through everything this year, and taught me how to be a better person. This year has been amazing. I get to go to a class with my best friends, and the best teacher. Surrounded by great people in a chill environment, and being able to just be myself has been a great thing for me. I loved being able to write what I enjoy doing, supporting, and watching. It allows me to express myself in a different way, that I’ve never done before. I am going to miss this class that has felt more like a community to me. I will always treasure the highlights of this class, and the great people I shared this year with.

Maggie Lang (Reporter): Newspaper class with Mrs. McKay creates a unique environment that is often hard to find throughout the craziness of high school. It’s a class where you get to express opinions and write about things you are passionate about right along side your peers. It opens your mind to things happening in the school, the lives of others around you, and the world as a whole. Topics are discussed that don’t have the chance to be brought up in other classes. Not to mention, Mrs. McKay isn’t only a teacher, but a friend who will help you out along the way! Thank you Mrs. McKay, I appreciate you more than you’ll ever know.

Braydon Ludlow (Reporter): Thank to this class, my writing skills are as good as Dora’s Spanish. I will miss having time with friends, and being able to talk to Mrs. McKay, but I won’t miss the constant “GO OFF SIS!!”

Emmie Manwaring (Reporter): Getting to be in Newspaper this year was really fun and a great experience. I want to be a journalist, and am thinking about going into journalism in college. Throughout the year, writing articles has become more natural, easy and fun. I remember being super nervous and thinking my first article assignment came really fast. Overall I love this class and have  made some great friends in this class, and I am grateful for every one of them! 🙂

Lizzie Moss (Reporter): This year in newspaper was the best year I could’ve asked for. I have learned so much about myself and about the things happening around me. I have loved staying on top of current events happening in our world and even in our school. I have learned a lot about writing, newspaper is way different than just writing a school paper. You have to really think about your audience and who will read this, you have to really research your topic no matter what it is, and you have to make a boring topic sound like the best thing in the world. I have loved this class because it has pushed me in all of those ways and many more that I would’ve never thought of. I have loved getting to be best friends with everyone in the class. I have built relationships that will last beyond my high school years. Anyone who has the chance to take this class should, in any grade. It will change your life. Mrs. McKay is the best teacher you’ll ever have. She’s the teacher you’d dream of. She is more than just a teacher. She is a mentor, an example, and someone I hope to be like when I grow up. She is a friend to all. She has the biggest heart and cares about every one of her students. She has changed my life and I will never be able to express to her how grateful I am for her. Thank you newspaper for all you have done for me. Love you forever. Signing off, Lizzie Moss.

Alexis Nguyen (Reporter): I’ve never really been a hard worker “I’ve never been a kiss up. It’s just not how I operate…you go in there and you do mediocre work, half-heartedly,” (Jim Halpert). But being in this class is a lot of hard work and dedication.  “I guess I’ve been working so hard, I forgot what it’s like to be hardly working,” (Michael Scott). Doing your research will help a lot. “Wikipedia is the best thing ever. Anyone in the world can write anything they want about any subject. So you know you are getting the best possible information,” (Michael Scott). Sometimes when writing articles you don’t know what to write about. “Sometimes I’ll start a sentence, and I don’t even know where it’s going. I just hope I find it along the way,” (Michael Scott). I never expected to have so much fun in this writing class, “There’s a lot of beauty in ordinary things. Isn’t that kind of the point?” (Michael Scott). Time flies when you’re having fun with the amazing people you’re with. “I wish there was a way to know you’re in the good old days, before you’ve actually left them,” (Andy Bernard).

Eseza Okello (Reporter): This year has been a rollercoaster for me. I’ve learned a lot about my writing style and i’ve learned what i love and what i don’t. I never realized how much peer review can help someone’s article out, it points what we were confused about and it definitely helps! I’ve gotten closer to my two favorite girls and I learned a lot about people I never thought i’d talk to. Newspaper it’s been real, this is Eseza, signing off. *insert Disney Mickey ears*

Zaynab Salih (Reporter): School newspaper is one of my favorite classes. I am able to express my opinion on everything including fashion, politics and so much more. I am thankful for this class because it allows me and my peers’ voices to be heard. My favorite memory was gifting Mrs. McKay with Birkenstocks and her revealing her pregnancy. Thank you to Mrs. McKay and all my peers for a phenomenal experience and for making it all worth it. Xoxo, Zaynab Salih.

Katie Seegrist (Reporter): Before I joined this class I was always afraid to share my opinion and I was afraid to get personal with anyone I didn’t know really well. Then I joined this class and I got to meet people I never would have met and I got to ask people questions I never would have thought to. I had to get out of my comfort zone and interview people and write opinion pieces and I had to get involved in the world around me. Newspaper has changed my life. This class gave me a passion for news writing I hadn’t even considered. I had so much fun in this class and I got to learn a lot, laugh a lot, and do a lot thanks to this class and our amazing teacher, Ms. McKay. Thanks y’all! Katie Seegrist, signing off.

Dylan Thatcher (Reporter): Well, this last year has been great. I joined Newspaper because McKay is my favorite teacher. I had had her for English 11 Honors, and wanted to keep her as one of my teachers. She is one of best. Being able to get talk to random people about the newspaper, and have them talk to me about what they care about really helped me get more friends. I would like to thank everyone for letting a random person come up to them and ask them about a topic that they care about.

Andrea Vazquez (Reporter): This year has been the best year of my high school years. Not only has this class helped me improve my writing, but I have met the most amazing people. I have loved being a part of this club. Mrs. McKay is awesome. She’s helped me a lot, especially this year. Forever grateful for this class!! Signing out, Andrea Vazquez.