Two years ago, I walked into the Hickman journalism classroom not knowing at all how much it would shape me. What I thought would just be another class quickly became one of the most important parts of my high school experience.

Through the Purple and Gold, I got opportunities I never imagined having in high school. I traveled to journalism conventions in Nashville and Minneapolis, won awards I never thought I was capable of earning and met student and professional journalists from all over the country who inspired me to think bigger about storytelling and journalism. I got to interview people, make meaningful connections and be a part of something that truly mattered to our community. All of these experiences and opportunities gave me the passion to pursue journalism in my secondary education at the University of Missouri.

Between deadlines, work nights, stressful design moments,  nonstop brainstorming and writing, this program taught me confidence, leadership and how to use my voice. But more than anything, it gave me friendships, memories and experiences I’ll carry long after graduation.

Thank you to everyone who made the newsroom such a cool and fun space. I’ll miss it more than I expected to.

-Alli Kaufman, P&G Managing Editor