Emilee Guernsey

I did not plan to go into a journalism route in high school. I came in as a freshman wanting to pursue physical therapy, and boy, did I change directions. I ended my physical therapy kick when I decided to drop out of sports medicine and pick up Mrs. Hert’s journalism class.

I discovered in this class my love for news and writing. I initially wanted to join yearbook, but I realized that I enjoyed writing stories much more than I did writing captions and designing. Joining newspaper was the best decision I have ever made. This class guided me into a direction of what I want to do with my life.

Newspaper was not all that easy. I had to make deadlines, and I had to talk to people I barely knew for articles. I never once thought that I’d become editor-in-chief, but here I am. It’s been a wonderful, tribulating journey. I am beyond lucky to have been able to have Hert as my teacher. The time spent in newspaper always brought laughter and fun new ideas on how to better our website and articles.

I will be attending Concordia University next year and majoring in communications with a focus on public relations. I hope to one day be a social media manager, and I know that having been in newspaper will help me with that goal. I will forever cherish what this class has taught and shown me. Thank you Mrs. Hert for sticking with me even when senioritis hit hard and for guiding me so well.

Anjali Sundaram

Neat black marker always adorned the dirty whiteboard of my journalism classroom, reminding me of all the impending deadlines and all the articles I have yet to complete. Yet, for some reason, I am thrilled at the prospect of a story, of getting the opportunity to tell someone’s perspective and their views. I want to challenge people, make them question their beliefs, or at the very least, allow others to walk in someone else’s shoe.

As a journalist, one must remain impartial regarding different events and opinions of others. This has always been something I have struggled with my entire life and newspaper made me challenge this notion. Hert has been one of the most crucial parts of me succeeding in this field. She never fails to tell me when my article is trash or when I am not producing my best work. This prompted me to (usually) write with diligence and try to make deadlines.

I have been in newspaper for three years and I will always take with me the pow wows, the jokes, laughter, our food days, and all the creative minds sitting together discussing the issues of the world. No other class has made me dare my beliefs and change my mind about politics. Because of this class, I am always up to date about the world.

Because of my opportunities at The Wolfpack I will continue to be a journalist at the University of Texas at Dallas, while I am pursuing a BS in both Healthcare Administration and Biology. My current plan is to be a Forensic Psychiatrist. I will be interviewing criminals of all degrees at the courtesy of law firms, while hopefully contributing relevant research. I also would like to be a player in the healthcare law making game, and using my journalism background there. I am excited for these opportunities and cannot wait to see where life takes me.

Avery Deen

I had to be goaded into joining the newspaper staff. My friend had signed up to take the class and wanted a friend, so knowing I had an interest in writing, she poked and prodded until I caved and wrote it in on my schedule too.

She dropped out of the class at the semester mark in favor of dance, but I didn’t. Being introverted and rather anti-social, I found the small class setting and the task of getting interviews for my stories incredibly intimidating. There were several moments where I just wanted to quit, but I didn’t. I loved seeing my name right there below the headline, and every time I saw something I had written published, I was thrilled.

Three years later, I now have a lot less difficulty talking to people and have written dozens of articles. While I won’t be continuing on in journalism, it has meant a lot to me and helped me to grow as a person. I’ll be pursuing a degree in Library and Information Sciences at the University of North Texas and know that the skills I’ve acquired from my time on The Wolfpack staff will help me where ever I end up in life.

Nick Hedges

Well, Cedar Park, my time here is coming to an end. A lot has changed since I first came onto campus in the fall of 2013, but I guess that’s just life. You have to adapt and adjust to whatever life throws at you. It may sound cliched, but it’s true! High school is really good in that it’s so unpredictable. You never know what twists or turns await you, from freshman biology with Grissom, to AP English IV with Iskra, and everything in between.

Thanks to all the faculty who were a part of my experience in high school. Without them, I don’t think I would’ve achieved at the level I reached here. Thanks to the band directors for my time in the band and the drum line. We all talk about how awful and tough band is, but looking back, I really enjoyed my four years there. Thanks to the journalism department here at Cedar Park. Mrs. Hert gave me the amazing opportunity to write sports for the Wolfpack this year, and I’m so glad I’ve had that experience. I’ll hold onto this place for a long time, for better or worse.

I’ll be attending Arizona State University in the fall, studying Sports Journalism as a part of the honors college there. I’m sure I’ll have a blast in Phoenix, but I’ll still hold what I learned at Cedar Park close. It’s been real! Remember, no matter what, just live it up.

Carlie Morgan

It’s been a long four years CP. I’ve been through sports, choir, a brief stint in theater, and The Wolfpack, just a few things this school has to offer. And high school did not go by fast. It’s been four years of academics and clubs and friendships and it’s sad in a way to see it come to an end, but what’s coming next is going to amazing.

This is only my first year of writing for The Wolfpack, but it’s been an amazing experience for me. Amid busy schedules and overwhelming workloads, The Wolfpack became a safe haven unlike any organization I’d been in before (except maybe choir). CP has had it’s ups and downs, but in the long run, it hasn’t been as bad as all my whining makes it out to be. I’m gonna miss this school and the people in it.

After a long internal battle over the course of my junior and senior years, I’ve decided to attend the University of Texas at Austin to study Radio, Television, and Film. After that, I hope to be a screenwriter. At least, that’s the plan right now, but who knows. Maybe I’ll stumble into something else I can’t get enough of.

Victoria Sananikone

Writing for The Wolfpack my senior year has been a tremendous opportunity. Not only have I made new and super cool friends, I was granted a little taste of what it is like to be a journalist, a career I plan to pursue. I thoroughly enjoyed my time in Mrs. Hert’s class because I got to learn so many new things that I’ve applied elsewhere in my life such as deadlines, working a camera efficiently and using an oxford comma when when needed. The class heightened my communication skills when receiving edits on my articles and figuring out how to fix them. Although I was brought out of my comfort zone when I had to go to a class to interview a student I didn’t know, I am glad I had that opportunity, as I will have to act similarly when I am an adult. I’ll miss coming to newspaper class where I can relax and laugh with my friends at hilarious jokes and find comfort in a class that never fails to have food somewhere. From rants about Jar Jar Binks to spontaneous trips to H.E.B in search of cookie cakes, I’ll miss the fantastic times I’ve had with The Wolfpack staff.

This fall I will be attending Mckendree University in Lebanon, Illinois, where I will study Professional Writing and Rhetoric as well as compete for the swim team.