Dear Mrs. Schickel,

Journalism was something I never thought I’d enjoy, but four years later, here I am as a journalism four student and page editor. I can never express how thankful I am that you’ve allowed me to grow as not only a journalist, but as a person. Thank you for being an at school mom to not only me, but all of our journalism family. It’s hard to put into words how much we all appreciate and adore you.  We love the way you’re able to transform the class into a family. The past four years have been unforgettable and some of the best moments were in your class. Thank you for influencing my life in such a positive way. Mrs. Schickel, you’re the type of teacher that makes class fun and worth going to. I’m so thankful for you always being there to make me laugh when I need it. I can’t thank you enough for everything you’ve done for me over the past four years. You’re easily one of my favorite teachers I have ever had. I’m going to miss you so much and am already looking forward to coming back to visit. Speaking for the whole newspaper family, we all love you so much! -Hailey

Mrs.Schickel, I love you like a second mom and I will never forget you. I have had you all four years of highschool, and I have learned a lot from you. You are one of the few teachers I actually like, and the only one I will remember for the rest of my life. I know I might not be in class all the time, but you and the rest of the class are like family to me. When I get my dream job doing sports at the Washington Post, I’ll owe it to all of you. I’ll visit a bunch next year since I’ll still be living here. Much love as always -Joshua

This sounded like a good idea until I had to put feelings into words. Mrs. Schickel, I’m going to miss you a lot. I have absolutely loved the past three years on the newspaper staff. I’ve never regretted my decision to join Journalism and continue with Newspaper. My best high school memories come from being in your classroom, and I’m not even joking. High school has been a weird place, but I’ve always felt at home in room 161. It’s actually the only room number I know, maybe it’s because I’m in your room all the time. I don’t know how to tell you how much you mean to me. All I can think of is how weird it’s going to be to leave. Mrs. Schickel, you are definitely the best teacher I’ve had throughout high school. I’ve learned so much. It’s been a pleasure being in your classes.    -Rachel

Freshman year, not a lot of classes charmed me, but Journalism 1 with you, Mrs. Schickel was a real eye-opener. One of the main reasons was because you are one of those teachers that gets passionate about what you’re teaching and who you’re talking to.  You care about the development of your students like you would with your own kids. Trust me, some of us need that charisma; not everyone gets it from family and friends, and that’s not a secret.  Besides that, I think one of the most important things I learned freshman year in the Journalism classroom, was the standards of journalistic writing, because I wouldn’t have gotten in the newspaper if I hadn’t liked it as I did. You always listened when I really needed it.  While being as heartfelt as a teacher could, you helped out like you do with a lot of students. I see it and I hope more students do too; it takes a lot for teachers to put their work down for students when they have lives too. To really listen and advise students from point a. to point b takes a lot of time and patience. I know this because in the short time I’ve known you, you have helped me do just that.  When many students look back on their days with you as a teacher, I can’t imagine that those periods of time were that much of a drag. Many of my classes honestly felt like dragging a heavy weight down a road in 90 degree weather. That’s just not the Schickel Style. This year – especially – was the cherry on top of a sweet sundae. Mrs. Schickel, you’ve helped build my confidence, keep me on track so I persevere towards my goals, and what I’m most thankful for was the times when you made me laugh when I honestly needed it. You’re the bomb-diggity, man, a killer mom, and hecka-wise. Please know that I and your fellow 2016 graduates (in the newspaper and out), won’t leave without remembering you for how wonderful you have been.  Thank you, more than I can say -Bethany Rose

When I was in middle school, we were choosing which electives we wanted to take for our freshman year and I had one more spot to fill and I could not think of which class to pick. A lot of my friends had told me to take Journalism so that I could have a class with them, and I did not really expect to get much from the class. However as the year passed, I started to develop a keen interest in the subject and decided that I should join the newspaper. All of the friends which I had followed into J1 had left for other things by sophomore year and I was a little upset that I was alone. I’m very glad that I went with it anyways though, because through these last three years I have not only made friendships, but have also developed skills in writing and editing which have not only helped with my other school work, but has also had influence on potential careers. And though it may sound unbelievable, I actually have learned a little bit about design. I want to take this chance to thank you for not only your dedicated guidance with the newspaper, but also your affable personality that is able to brighten up my day no matter what, even if I don’t always show my enthusiasm in class. I will miss you next year! -Grayson

I cannot thank you enough for making these 4 years at highschool absolutely great. I can remember the first day of J2 when I realized that this class was not going to be stressful, and I immediately was relieved, especially for my sophomore year. This class to me always seemed to be like a second family, and you especially are like a long lost aunt to me. I still have very significant memories of your class for all 4 years, even in english class freshman year, like when you purposely put Bobby Dunlap and Declan Goodwin together when they really didn’t like each other. I’ve learned so much under your teaching. I’ve even built up my confidence by just being in this class, writing articles, interviewing, and actually feeling accepted. I want to thank you for all of that and more. I also want to thank you for the many favors I’ve asked for this year (haha), like the flowers and bear blocks you’ve pulled me for :). I’m really going to miss this class, and I will certainly miss you too. Yet again, I give you my thanks. -Dayn

Yours truly,

Senior Class of 2016
(Have a good summer and come back in one piece!)

Ryan Stewart