The characters in my freshman year broadcast class were bizarre and intimidating – there was a 1980s steampunk cowboy, a gangly junior who solely wore different shades of lavender and called himself the “Purple People Eater,” a swimmer who had me fully convinced that he lived in a box. 

I was terrified.

There I was, 14 years old with my fresh blonde balayage and baby blue checkered skirt, feeling like an idiot. I had been the editor of my middle school yearbook and loved it, so I figured joining the school media team would suit my passion. But in the middle of that crowded room full of teenage rock stars with cameras and journalism UIL champions, I felt like an outcast. I didn’t know the first thing about writing or editing, and I emailed my counselor to switch classes on the second day of school.

Well, I didn’t. After four years of sticking with the media team, I’ve gained professional and scholastic journalism accolades for my work, and the takeaways have been tremendous. I’m so grateful for my advisor, Mrs. Edmonson, and the wonderful staff that have helped me to pursue my dream of becoming a writer.

I’m happy that I am moving onto bigger skies to pursue my storytelling career. That being said, I will miss posting my stories on The Valley Ventana and engaging with the audience that I helped build over the years. Today, I’m sitting at my laptop in the familiar classroom of C105. In a few months, I’ll be sitting at that same laptop, just 2,000 miles away.

After four years–every one of which went by too fast–I am logging off. Thank you to every reader, every listener and every critic who has visited my stories over the years. There is no doubt in my mind that this website will continue to uphold its reputation as one of the best student newspapers in the country with its engaging stories, aesthetic design and trusted staff.

Siebold out.