I take a seat on the high chairs in my old engineering classroom at CHS9, practically shivering my timbers as The Sidekick 2025-2026 editors filed into the room in a straight line.
Naturally, my first question was: why are there so many of them?
Despite my confusion and irrational nervousness, one editor in said single-file line of 19 others particularly caught my eye. So much so that I remember the first words that came out of her mouth (Safiya, I’m not a creep. I promise.)
“Hi, I’m Safiya Azam and I love to talk!”
I relaxed slightly, understanding that maybe not all editors are intimidating. Besides, at the time they were sophomores and juniors, too. Freshman-me might have overexaggerated their scariness in my head just a little bit.
Coincidentally, social media editor and podcast producer Safiya Azam and I both ended up in the same class period, something I did not appreciate compared to now. In the beginning, we had not talked much despite her sitting directly behind me. It is apparent, however, through the fact that I’m writing her Senior Send-off, that things eventually changed.
My first real interaction with her was when she edited my podcast for our demo assignment (called Person, Place or Thing) in August. I mainly focused on technicalities, but Safiya taught me about the importance of emotion. Instead of focusing on the small specificities, she taught me to look at the big picture, something I have applied to my journalism year-round.
Life advice? Probably.
The passion she brings to editing another social media graphic or a long podcast is felt in D115 each morning. As soon as 8:50 A.M. hits, she starts class with a loud clap alongside a “Good morning, Sidekick! Did anyone do anything interesting?”
Most of the time, I had not done anything interesting. However, the flurry of voices that accompanied Safiya’s question tended to be the most interesting part of my week.
Even on Mondays, Safiya’s enthusiasm has always remained constant, no matter how sleepy our responses are. That is something I have grown to appreciate throughout my time on The Sidekick, especially when I’m stressed with deadlines or as sleep-deprived as fellow students.
I could not ask for a better way to begin my A days.
Eventually, I began to see that Safiya’s love of talking is her way of building a newsroom community. Whether a check-in to see if I have anything to work on or editing my graphics, she makes everyone feel included on the journalism grind.
And yes, the journalism grind is very real.
Intuitively, I know the newsroom will not be the same without her. I know first period won’t be the same without her. However, I do know that Safiya’s voice, whether it be through journalism or debate, will continue to make an impact wherever she goes.
Safiya, the mic is yours; I know you will continue to do amazing things with it.
Follow @CHSCampusNews on X.
