Lily Hager, Editor-in-Chief

1. “Senior goodbye: Scream your heart out,” Nick Smith

This senior goodbye column by TRL’s former editor-in-chief Nick Smith often comes to my mind. It captured his spirit so clearly, spreading it to the readers. Through this column, he motivated me to live every day with enthusiasm.

2. “A love that serves,” Lily Hager

I began investigating this story as a feature on our SRO, but I ended up discovering a love story in the process. Talking to Officer Victoria Fritzler and Ted Fritzler about their accidental meeting at the scene of a car collision was a special experience and resulted in a heart-warming story to tell.

3. “Leopard Look: Andre Givins,” Nick Smith

This is no average Leopard Look. The context of this story is so powerful. The pep rally where the school surprised janitor Andre Givins with a huge thank you warmed everybody’s hearts. He deserved every little “thank you,” and this story was one more way to say it.

4. “Faces of the fair: Lester Jenkins,” Kelsey Carroll

While we had a ton of plans for the State Fair preview, it took a lot of courage from our participating staffers to follow through with our ideas. One of the first people we noticed at the fair was a dynamic, life-loving man selling water bottles for $2. Section editor Kelsey Carroll interviewed him skillfully and wrote this story the next few days, bringing Lester Jenkins’ story to life.

5. “Column: I am more than what you see,”  Nnenna Nchege

Nnenna Nchege is a quiet girl when you first meet her, but I’ve gotten to know her through her ability to tell other people’s stories and her own. In this column, she expressed her passionate identity, showcasing her beautiful spirit and talent.