Hala Khan

Three years ago I never would have imagined I’d be a part of the newspaper staff, yet now the journalism room has become my home away from home. I applied for staff at the end of my freshman year, thinking it would look good on my college application, but, that first year was nothing like I had expected it to be. The entire staff was just one big dysfunctional family, and I loved every part of it. This was something I had to see through to the end. I told Ms. Berry, that year, I plan on being Editor-in-Chief my senior year, and here I stand.
My first year on staff brought little to stress when it came to deadlines and putting together the paper, last year as print editor I managed to get my feet wet every now and then whenever it came to keeping the staff on track. With that experience in mind, I felt confident I could handle anything thrown at me, and walked steadily into my senior year as Co-Editor-in-Chief. Boy, was I wrong. I had I idea how much I’d have to deal with this year; motivating the staff, teaching new reporters, building a cohesive team, reaching deadlines. This print issue has represents that I, the staff and the publication have overcame any and all roadblocks thrown at us.
This publication has become a part of me, the time I have spent on it encompasses almost the whole of my high school years. This issue will forever be in my memories as it is the first issue I can really claim as mine. It allows me to look back at when I was a reporter to see the progress I have made to get to where I am now. To share that feeling, this paper looks back at events from the start of the school and moves forward to tell of what we can become. This is the Cougar Connection.

Chloe Trejo

I would first like to say that my literal blood, sweat and tears have been put into this publication, so please enjoy it.
When I first walked into the journalism room my freshman year I never really saw myself becoming Co-Editor-in-Chief of the newspaper. The position has taken a lot out of me, but at the same time has given me so much more. There really is not any part of me that would fully regret joining the staff and putting all my effort into this publication.
From the beginning of the year to the end of it I will have nothing to regret. Okay, I might regret not putting more minions in the journalism room. I’ve always had to face problems since my first year on staff, but this was a whirlwind. I had to help with training the new people on staff, dealing with emotions and deadlines. It’s exhausting.
Life has thrown me curve balls since the beginning, but being on staff has been a valuable way for me to deal with problems. There was no real part of me ready to take on the year as Co-Editor-in-Chief, but like anything else in my life, I have welcomed the task.
Since my first year on staff, everyone has been more like a family to me more than anything else. Through the ups and the downs we have bonded together. Dealing with the deadlines has been a great way for us to see the worst in each other and overcome it.
Although I thank the staff for their help, I would like to thank those who have been there through every deadline with me. Rayya and Jimmy, I appreciate your help so much. I also want to thank Ms. Berry for always helping me, as much as she could. She probably didn’t mention me, but I am going to mention my Co-Editor-in-Chief, Hala Khan. She helped me realize that I did earn the position because I was capable of doing great things. I thank her for helping me as much as she has this year.
It’s strange to think I will leave the “Cougar Connection” next year but I know I will miss it. Although at times I hate this publication, overall I love everything about the “Cougar Connection.”