When I accepted the position as Co-Editor of The OCSA Ledger two years ago, I knew it would come with many trials and learning curves. From the moment I became a reporter on staff in my freshman year, I fell in love with the process of crafting articles and providing timely news for the student body. Throughout my years on staff, my fellow reporters and editors have inspired me to strive for new heights with The Ledger. Now that I’m graduating, I find myself reflecting on my final year at OCSA as Co-Editor.

Since the beginning of the year, I’ve had a strong confidence in my staff. Our size decreased greatly from 30 to 12, with 8 reporters and 4 editors. Initially, the large drop in reporters worried me, and I questioned whether we would be able to produce enough articles to sustain the Ledger. But my staff constantly proved themselves with their dedication and talent, melting my worries away very early on. I was given the opportunity to talk with each staff member one on one and connect with them far more than I had in the past. I took joy in fostering their growth and helping them reach their full potentials as reporters by finding their unique voices. I strove to be a leader my staff members could rely on for guidance, and I took pride in each article my fellow editors and I published.

My goal this year was to bring the focus of articles back to OCSA and the student body. In the past we had a big focus on newsworthy things happening outside of our school. But The OCSA Ledger is a publication dedicated to the students, teachers, faculty, and parents of OCSA. I aimed to return to our roots and ensure the student body would have a reliable source of information about the events and artistic endeavors happening on campus. I can confidently say that we’ve accomplished this goal. We brought the focus on OCSA back to the Ledger, and by the end of the year, we were producing over 20 articles a month.

When I think of my staff, I feel a strong sense of pride. I’m proud of each of them for the hard work they put forth this year seeking information for articles, drafting and re-drafting, and always keeping a positive attitude. Despite the stress I’ve faced at times being in charge of the Ledger, I wouldn’t change any of it. I’ve grown so much as a person and writer thanks to my time on staff. I’ve learned how to be a leader and a reliable person for people to turn to when they need help. I’ve found so much happiness and fulfillment interacting with my staff, whether it was helping them with their articles or talking about popular media. None of this would have been possible without my reporters, and it certainly wouldn’t be possible without my Co-Editor Halle Saldivia and my Copy Editors Evelyn Tippett and Jessica Vanderbeck. I want to take a moment to thank them sincerely for all they’ve done not just for me, but for our staff. I wouldn’t be where I am today without their continued support and diligence. I would also like to thank Mr. Capley for his continued guidance throughout my years at OCSA, playing an important role in shaping who I am and ensuring the OCSA Ledger runs smoothly.

I’m so grateful to have played such a big role in the OCSA Ledger. I have full confidence in my staff and their ability to persevere through any challenge they face. I know they’ll continue to thrive long after I’ve graduated, and I can’t wait to see what they’ll accomplish.

Here’s to the future,

Jillian Jenks

Co-Editor, The OCSA Ledger