Hello, dear readers, and welcome to the very first issue of Haldane’s student-led newspaper, The Haldane Outlook! Born in the summer of 2024, The Outlook aims to bring you student news from the student perspective, keeping you not only informed but actively participating in our wonderful community here at Haldane. 

I have a confession: when Jennifer Zwarich and John Wayland, our lovely community advisors, contacted me in July about the project, I slammed my computer shut and walked away. Dramatic, I know. But I was overwhelmed with the possibilities and potential of one little email. A unifying paper, bringing every kind of student together! News that affects us finally shared by us through our eyes! I have always been the curious sort, and so my mind immediately began compiling ideas of what topics we could cover, what kind of content we would have, and who would put pen to paper to report on the issues facing our student body. 

There was only one problem: I had never been the leader of such a large project before. By that point, I had only ever held office in the school’s Identity Club. Running a small organization of LGBTQ+ students was one thing; running a brand-new newspaper publication was quite another. I adore writing, news stories fascinate me, and I am forever interested in learning about people and hearing their thoughts on different subjects. However, I admit to being a wallflower. Until now, I had always subconsciously clung to the false idea that leaders had to be of the loud and boisterous sort; that leaders were born, not made, and born unshakeable at that, powerful, commanding, and heroic. 

But then I began to pay closer attention to our teachers. After all, they must be leaders daily and rarely catch a break between teaching classes, planning lessons, grading assignments, and guiding students. As I observed, I realized that my favorite teachers didn’t have much in common aside from one thing: their passion. Some fit my preconceived archetype, with their loudness and their commanding presence. Others, nervous and introverted, did not. Yet I perceived both kinds– archetype and not– to be good teachers, good leaders. Because they cared.

This summer, I found myself at a precipice. I could choose the safe answer, the comfortable one; I could turn down the offer for Editor-in-Chief and opt to participate as staff instead. Or, I could choose the dangerous option. I could take the leap, risk the fall, and learn to fly on wings I was still in the process of building. But I wasn’t alone in this risk. Thanks to the support of our advisors Jennifer Zwarich, John Wayland, and Ashley Linda; Managing Editor Lincoln Wayland and Photo Editor Nicolo Masella; our teachers, our Editorial Board, and our incredibly hard-working staff here at the Outlook, we were able to bring to you this paper through students, for students. This first issue represents a lot of learning, and we had many adventures putting it together, from overcoming roadblocks to last-minute plan changes, panicked group chats, early morning phone calls, and late-night production meetings. Photo Editor Nicolo Masella, Chief Design Editor Kira Drury, and Assistant Design Editor Frances Donahue fought through illnesses as they worked, and many of our senior-year staff members pumped out articles amid college application craziness. I am so incredibly proud of what we have been able to produce and of every single staff member and contributor who lent their talents. 

We have three more issues coming this year, and you are all invited to join the fun! New staff members and contributors are always welcome. With a variety of sections and an array of photos and illustrations, there’s something in here for everyone. Happy reading, and see you again next quarter!

To provide feedback, express concern, ask a question, or submit a letter to the editor, email [email protected].