Dear TPT underclassmen,

What a year it’s been for news. We kicked things off by covering the presidential campaigns and are ending by reporting on big changes from down here in FCPS, all the way up to the federal government. It can be easy, cooped up in room 228, to feel like we do the news in a vacuum, and we sometimes forget that we have the power to cover issues no one else can in ways that are entirely unique to us. 

When you come back to school in the fall, please remember that no other newspaper can observe the happenings in and around CHS quite like we can, and just because a story may be obvious to us, that doesn’t mean anyone outside the school building knows about it. We have the power to make big changes with the little articles we write, and your seniors have a few tips to do the best reporting you can. 

Never be afraid to contact a source. Keep in mind that you have nothing to lose if they decline—and nothing’s stopping you from maybe asking again even if they do. Professionals outside of CHS are far more willing to interview with us than we typically imagine, and you never know who has the time to talk until you ask. 

Know your school board members and watch their meetings. At the county level, all the action happens when the school board meets. The job of those 12 people is to scrutinize the superintendent’s work and they are the perfect people to speak with when something big happens. Maintain your professionalism, ask good questions, respect their time and they will give you good interviews in return. 

As journalists, we’re encouraged to be assertive. Next year, be intentional about being pushy, but not too pushy. Sometimes, you need to ask a few times to get the answer you want, but you also need to read the room and know when to stop. 

Reach out to professionals. Just like contacting sources outside of CHS can yield better results than we expect, professionals almost always want to help us out when they can. Invite yourself to local newsrooms and see if you can shadow someone for a day. When an article intrigues you, get in contact with the journalist who wrote it. You don’t even need to have a specific question for your new contact; just talk about the work they do and we promise, you’ll learn something new. 

Once you’ve fostered those connections with professionals, don’t be afraid to come back to them for guidance on a story. Just be sure to share the finished product when it’s published. 

TPT is in a unique position, because we’re able to report on FCPS from inside of it. If a big story breaks next year and the local media doesn’t know about it, consider sharing your reporting with them. They might want to provide a bigger platform to spread the word. 

Don’t just look outside of FCPS for support, though. Form relationships with reporters at other schools in the county. Share the news of CHS with them and stay up-to-date with their current events. Help each other out when you need it, because we’re not competition; we’re on the same team, and look out for patterns in the happenings of the schools around the county. You might uncover something you didn’t know was there.

This would all be useless, though, if you didn’t report with objectivity and impartiality. We fill an important role in the ecosystem of CHS to inform the student body, staff and larger community. When our sources agree to interview with us, they are entrusting us with their story and it’s only right to report it with fidelity and integrity. 

So next year, as you ride this tide of uncertainty, take a minute to look around and see what stories need to be told. Your seniors will continue to follow your work from wherever we go in the world and we can’t wait to see what next year brings for you.

Dear Seniors,

You’ve finally made it! Congratulations on finishing the closing chapter of your high school journey.

While you’re all waiting to dash out the front doors of school (caps tilted) with Spotify graduation playlists queued, we underclassmen have been left scrambling, trying to imagine what life in room 228 will look like without you.

Now, as your chapters end, we’re left clutching the rough drafts of our own. It’s daunting. You were the ones who lit the lanterns during late work nights, who constantly edited out Oxford commas and helped come up with the punny headlines. Without you, the newsroom feels like a theater just after the curtain falls, still full of energy, but missing its stars. 

Even as the pages turn and your stories move on, you’ve left behind an outline that we’ll keep building on. So, while it’s hard to picture The Purple Tide without our seniors, we’ll keep writing and designing, waiting for the day you drop by and see how your legacy continues.

Delaney, the powerhouse of The Purple Tide. Out of everyone we’ve worked with, your dedication to journalism stands unmatched. From racking up Best of SNOs like it’s a casual hobby (seriously…how??), to chasing down school board interviews and leading the charge for student press freedom, you’ve constantly redefined what it means to be a student journalist. But beyond the accolades and bylines, you’ve been one of the kindest, funniest and most uplifting people in room 228. Whether it was cracking a joke mid-updates, leaving the sweetest compliments on our drafts, or standing strong in your Oxford comma and 45-word lead convictions, you found that perfect balance between being professional and yourself. You didn’t just come along for the ride, you helped make it a ride. Your passion, positivity, and presence made this newsroom feel a little brighter. We’ll miss your edits and endless support. Good luck out there; we underclassmen know you’ll do amazing things in Scotland. 

Nadia, our go-to guide for sports writing. Whether it was crafting ledes, snagging last-minute graphics, or lending out the only working charger in the room, you always came through. You’ve been a constant presence: consistent with pages, quick with edits, and generous with your time (especially when guiding first-time sport writers). You’ve brought a rare combination of passion and calm to the newsroom. Even outside of journalism, your help with everything from biology quizzes to technical meltdowns made you someone we all relied on. Your versatility and kindness make it clear: wherever you go next, they’re lucky to have you. We’ll miss your chill energy, your edits, and how you always made the chaotic newsroom feel a bit more under control.

Gayda, the sunshine of room 228! There’s something about your energy that makes every class feel lighter, funnier and warmer. You somehow balance a schedule filled with MSA, peer tutoring and actual school attendance (a rarity among seniors) while still being one of the most approachable and upbeat people on staff. Your opinions at the table? Unforgettable. Your graphics? Occasionally butchered by others, but your enthusiasm always shone through. Whether you were offering advice, making someone laugh, or just showing up with that contagious smile, you brought a kind of brightness we’ll genuinely miss. Bucknell doesn’t know what’s coming, but we do. You’re going to make every room feel like home, just like you did here. 

Rachel, TPT’s artist! Even since you’ve joined, the graphics and artworks in our issues simply pop. You are incredibly down to earth, treating all of us as peers. With an eager and bright smile on your face, you’re the go-to person for graphic help. Your easy-going personality and creative artistry skills are a killer combo that will carry you far. From dealing with the pressing deadlines to quickly whipping up insanely eye-catching covers, your work makes all of us look forward to reading the newspaper. Outside of school, your piano skills prove even more how talented you are, and we do not doubt that you’ll do great wherever you go.

Amirah, despite joining us later in the year (and switching schools), you truly worked hard to catch up and get acquainted with the way the TPT rolls! We enjoyed the few articles you wrote, and it’s a shame you won’t be able to join us next year to further explore all of your journalistic possibilities. We’re glad we got to know you and wish you all the best wherever the future takes you.

And lastly, Beasley, the sweetest and cutest guide dog! You’re very professional, but also a hard worker. From always letting us pet you to simply seeing you in the halls, it’s been a joy spending a large part of our year with you. Thanks for staying with us during work nights and classes. The TPT will never be the same without you – our unofficial, fluffy mascot.

All the underclassmen will miss you. We enjoyed the friendships we’ve gained together and the invaluable mentorship you’ve given us. Make sure to visit us next year and stop by! Room 228 will always be open. 

Sincerely,

Your Underclassmen