By Emma Cummins

Staff Writer

From writing concert reviews, to tackling hot-button topics, my first year at The Sidekick has introduced a world unknown to myself.

Before joining The Sidekick, I had always felt strongly about my beliefs but never had I been encouraged to write about them, or learn how to present them in a way that would reach the reader.

After writing a few of opinion pieces and receiving more response than I had initially expected, I realized that the words I wrote made a difference. Through those words I could make a reader think, and that is an incredible feeling.

Words have a powerful meaning, which I think I always knew, but could never really figure out why until joining a program like The Sidekick. From reading the stories of my fellow staff members to trying to perfect my own, there was always that underlying principle in which you felt that each story was important.

This year, I have learned to be confident with my conclusions, to put myself out there with full knowing that I would receive some backlash. While some of my opinion articles received much response, negative and positive, I wouldn’t trade that experience for anything.

A writer often experiences this moment when they must trust themselves and their conclusions, and learn to write them in such a way as to make an impact. I had this moment, and I believe this kind of moment will turn into a recurring moment, one that forces me to be an even better writer.

The world of journalism is one of deep importance and being part of a successful newspaper like The Sidekick has created an appreciation for that world.

Being able to meet new and interesting people while also contributing to something I was proud of, was an invaluable experience. Joining the newspaper has opened up a part of Coppell High School I never knew existed.

Meeting other students who shared the same love and passion for writing has fostered the same love I have, and pushed me to want to create something we could all be proud about.

While no program is perfect, The Sidekick still managed to change myself which I never expected when I signed up.

After this year I will become the editorial page editor, and I am excited to see what next year will have in store.

In the end, I owe much to The Sidekick and I imagine that the next two years will be very much the same in that I will continue to grow as a writer and person.