I always knew deep down I’d have to write this swan song. But I never really knew what a swan song really was. 

Some people wrote a thank you letter, some people write about their lives through high school, things they went through. I want to take this time to write about our program. 

Photography for me captures emotions that some people can’t say out loud. Photography has been such an outlet for me personally because you’re not just taking a photo because you need it to fill in the article; you’re taking it to show a story of the person/event. Words are just words and can be fabricated, photos are upfront truth.

When I first joined newspaper class, I thought I’d just be writing articles and meeting deadlines. I didn’t expect to find something that would help me express myself in a way I never had before. For me, that was photography. What started as just part of the job quickly became the most important part of my time in class. Through taking photos, I found a way to share how I felt, even when I didn’t know how to say it.

While most of my classmates were focused on writing stories, I found comfort behind the camera. I didn’t always know what to say with words, but I learned how to say it with pictures. A smile between friends, an empty hallway, or a student scoring a goal. These were more than just photos. They were feelings, moments, and memories I could hold onto. Photography gave me a voice when I didn’t have one.

It also changed the way I saw things. With a camera in my hands, I noticed small details I never used to. I started to really see people, their emotions, their struggles, their joy. I captured quiet moments and big ones too, each photo showing a piece of a story that mattered. I realized that even without writing a single word, I could still tell a story that meant something.

Photography also helped me get through hard days. When I was stressed or felt out of place, taking pictures gave me a sense of peace. It helped me stay present and look for something good in the moment. Even when I wasn’t sure how I felt, the camera helped me figure it out.

Now that my time in newspaper class is coming to an end, I’m walking away with more than just a bunch of photos. I’m leaving with a way to express myself, a new way to see the world, and a lot of memories. I’ve learned that not all stories are written down, some are captured in a single image. And through those images, I’ve found a way to tell my own story.

Even though this chapter is over, I know I’ll keep taking photos. Because photography isn’t just a class assignment anymore, it’s a part of who I am.