Ms. B ’16

I feel like a true winner because I got to be on the Royal Reporter for four years.

I found it really difficult to start this article because it is an acknowledgment that one of the best experiences of my high school career is officially over (yeah, seniors, let THAT sink in). 100 articles, countless emails, an unholy amount of editing and two teachers later, I am officially retired from the Royal Reporter.

I am one of the few Royals who can say they are a four-year veteran of our beloved paper. I was one of two freshmen ever selected to be on the paper. Since then, the Royal Reporter has taught me more than words can express. 

To start, I will be eternally grateful for the two teachers I’ve had. First, the unforgettable Ms. Barclay ‘94. Ms. Barclay is, of course, one of the funniest human beings I’ve ever met, but more importantly, she has high standards. She always pushed us to be the best writers possible and held us accountable when we messed up with love and honesty. For the last two years, I’ve had Ms. B ‘16. Last year, Ms. B and I were both thrown into new roles: I as the Editor-in-Chief and Ms. B as the new journalism teacher. Ms. B has always encouraged me as a leader on the paper and has allowed me to bring my unique skills and ideas to our newsroom. One of the biggest opportunities she’s provided me with is the ability to solve issues myself. Whenever we had staff or technical issues, Ms. B allowed ME to step up and solve them. Putting my feet to the fire in this sense has better prepared me for the future: it has helped me practice hard decision-making and communicating those hard decisions to others, as well as being responsible for how my decisions affect others. 

Another thing that made Journalism so special was the people. In my freshman and sophomore years, it was slightly intimidating to be in a class full of seniors, but they imparted a lot of wisdom on me, and I think it helped me mature faster. A lot of those same girls, though they may not know it, became role models for me. One of my fondest memories at Rosary, period, was in my freshman year. Ms. Barclay would buy lunch for the person who wrote the most Top Stories every month. That month, it happened to be the legendary Anna Jordan ‘22. As I sat in the back, Ms. Barclay turned to Anna, who was sitting in the “special chair” next to her, and asked who else Anna wanted to get lunch for. Anna nonchalantly responded, “Christina.” Ms. Barclay exclaimed, “The freshman!” and Anna said, “Yeah, I like the way she writes.” I just about died. That was probably one of the best compliments I’ve ever received. 

Spending time in class has also helped me bond with some of my classmates, who are now my closest friends: Addie Felix ‘26 and Bella Ramirez ‘26. We have so many memories in 208. My classmates have always been fun and lively, and class discussions are always vibrant in Journalism (especially when Harper Clark ‘26 is there). We also have the best potlucks on campus. 

Other than the experiences and memories I’ve already listed, I have also gained countless tangible skills in Journalism. First and foremost, I’ve learned how to edit and write in Associated Press Style. I’ve also learned how to assign articles in a newsroom and manage different skill levels. Communication skills were also crucial to my time on the Royal Reporter. And of course, a dash of hard work and time management. 

The Royal Reporter has been one of the most special opportunities I’ve had at Rosary. If you couldn’t already tell, it wasn’t just a way to express my passion for journalism; it also shaped me as a person. It is with sadness that I sign off for good, but I know it will be in the capable hands of Emma Samuelson ‘27 next year. So, goodbye, my dearest Royal Reporter; you will most certainly be missed.