Dear NDP Gateway,

Thank you for three incredible years, especially for the honor of being a Co-Editor for the 2018-2019 school year. This organization has given me more than I could have hoped for and has truly shaped my time at NDP. Throughout my years in the Gateway, I have attained many important values and lessons that I will carry with me to college. I have learned how to be an efficient leader, how to better communicate with others, and most of all how to be a better writer. I would never trade my time at the NDP Gateway for anything else.

I still remember attending the NDP Gateway camp the summer before my sophomore year. I wanted to step outside of my comfort zone and try something different. I was both nervous and excited, but I quickly realized that I made the right decision. I remember running around the school filming an advertisement video and creating our own Gateway song. It was truly something I will never forget. I came home right after the camp, excited to write my first article (which was about the movie Nerve btw) and it was the first club at NDP that made me feel motivated and driven. In my first-year of writing, I wrote an article every month and always met the deadline no matter what. I was so excited to share my writing with the school community, which was something that my ten-year-old self had only dreamed of doing.

I would like to thank my Co-Editor Mary for working with me this year and for being a great friend. I would also like to thank Mr. Bender for reading my constant emails and for being such a cooperative moderator this year. Finally, I am so grateful for the staff writers who spend their valuable time writing articles for the community and for their exceptional work. As we pass the pen over to Danielle and Brooke, I have full confidence that they will lead the Gateway effectively and implement unique ideas to the club next year. I will truly miss this club that taught me the power of using my voice through words.

— Sydney

After a year filled with so many deadlines and constant projects, it feels strange to see it all coming to an end. Senior year is a time when your foot is on the gas seemingly 24/7. As we leave, we have some parting words before we go:

To our fellow seniors — we could not imagine a better class to call our sisters of plum and turquoise. We know you all will do amazing things in college. It will be so hard to be away from each other, but so worth it.

To the juniors — soon, you will be seniors. Remember not to get too caught up in the chaos of college applications and final moments at NDP. Lean on each other and trust your own judgment.

To the sophomores — in a few short months, you will have your rings! In this exciting entrance to becoming upperclasswomen, cherish your memories and look back on everything you have accomplished – it’s more than you think. We will always love our little sisters!

To the freshwomen — you may not have been here long, but you already know so much. In the coming years, you will only become closer and stronger as a class. Remember that you have strength in numbers and can always depend on your NDP sisters.

It has been a pleasure being your co-editors for the 2018-2019 school year. As we hand over the reins to Brooke and Danielle, we are confident that they will do an excellent job. We can’t wait to see what they do.

— Sydney and Mary