By Elizabeth Sims
Enterprise Editor

Though my four years of high school have been a whirlwind of experiences, assignments and activities, one thing has remained constant: D115, more specifically The Sidekick newspaper’s classroom.

Ironically, I almost did not join The Sidekick staff at all. I came into high school wanting to join KCBY, but applied to be on the yearbook staff for my sophomore year. For one reason or another, I did not want to tap into my writing skills, and I avoided even picking up an application for the newspaper at all costs. I simply was not interested.

Fortunately, my adviser Chase Wofford saw my potential and literally slapped an application on my desk while I was taking my sophomore year advanced reporting class. Though I was reluctant at the time, I will be forever grateful for this push.

I would have missed out on a myriad of memorable experiences if I did not join The Sidekick staff. I would not have found

where my passion lies or have met a fraction of the incredible people I now know.

Through my involvement, I traveled to San Antonio and Boston to attend national high school journalism conventions, where I attended sessions hosted by leaders in the media field and explored the cities to dig up stories that could go untold. I made lasting friendships on these trips and discovered I wanted to pursue journalism as a career.

While the trips are fun and great learning opportunities, my favorite part of working on this publication has been the opportunity to tell stories. I have connected with so many people in the community just by sitting down for a 15 minute interview with them. I have been able to draw attention to certain issues such as sharing the roads with cyclists through coverage of the local Ride of Silence.

I have only been on The Sidekick staff for the last two years, but I have had more challenges thrown at me during that short time than I ever expected in school. All have been for my benefit in the long run, and all were instigated by Wofford. He was never afraid to tell me where I needed to improve a story. He pushed me to apply for an editor position despite the fact I considered myself to be too inexperienced.

Most of all, he was my advocate and stood behind my decisions and story pursuits no matter how odd they seemed. I consider him to be a role model for these reasons, and I hold him up with the utmost respect.

My time on The Sidekick was not always easy, but it was certainly life changing. I will always consider D115 the place my journalism career began.