A Letter From the 2025-26 Editors

From the desk of Sophia Gatti:

For better or for worse, current events will always be a dominant part of the world we live in. This scared me for a very long time. I felt like almost every day introduced a new headline about political infighting, international conflict, or exposed corruption—which naturally reduces confidence in the systems that are meant to be trusted.

Working as co-editor-in-chief of the Chronicle for these past two years renewed the part of me that searches for positivity—in spite of, or even in context of, the bad. Watching students from all corners of the school find success and belonging, and making it a part of my daily routine to seek these things out and publicize them, gradually made me an optimist. Because I realized that despite all of the things that seem to go wrong, life carries on, small communities can thrive, and art can thrive too. Between headlines about sport wrap-ups and the latest fundraising initiatives, I found myself as a writer. And I found that the more I write, the less heavy and unapproachable news becomes.

More than this, I’ve learned that with kindness and guidance a person can grow tenfold. I’d like to thank Mrs. McCaslin for recognizing my passions over my four years in this club and encouraging me to turn them into so many different, but equally rewarding articles. Between that and having her as my teacher for these past two years, she has urged me to write thoughtfully, ethically, and investigatively. She is the backbone of our publication, and has been a mentor and constant support throughout my time in high school.

The people in this club are inquisitive and effortlessly kind, and it has been a pleasure working alongside them. Especially my co-editor, Anya, whose friendship has given way to so much laughter and collaboration this year. One of my best friends outside of the paper, I truly have no idea what I would do without her.

Working behind the scenes has been a privilege. To this club: keep searching for the good. To Springfield: keep being the good. The bad is only debilitating if we let it be.

It’s surreal to think that my time at the Chronicle is up, but I trust that it’s in good hands, and I trust that, wherever I go, I’ll always view the world through the eyes of a Chronicle writer.

Sincerely,

Sophia

From the desk of Anya Geynisman:

I couldn’t really tell you exactly why I joined the Chronicle. I think it was a mix of wanting to be a part of every club my freshman year and finding an outlet to improve my writing skills. And while both ended up being the case, this club has proven to be one of the most meaningful organizations I am a part of at Springfield. 

The Chronicle is not just about writing; it is about telling people’s stories—everyone’s stories. As I began to write for our publication, I suddenly gained access to the many lives at Springfield and I will never take that for granted. I get to ask people what they are passionate about, understand new programs at our school, shout out student successes, and collect opinions from across the student body. Being privy to the ins and outs of our school, I have gained immense appreciation for the privileges we have here at Springfield and the strong community that supports them. 

My favorite part of writing for the Chronicle has always been the ability to immerse myself into our small yet tight Springfield community, one that I will deeply miss as I move beyond these past four years. In listening to others, I myself have developed a stronger connection to the community that has been with me since childhood, and thus a heightened sense of confidence and pride, something I always hoped high school would provide me. 

Chronicle has meant a lot to me since I was a freshman, but it was really this final year as co-editor-in-chief that has let me fully cherish the depth of this club. I have had the pleasure of working on the backside of our publication and helping others pursue their own connection to Springfield through their writing. I have relished in the opportunities the Chronicle has given me and am so happy to see others begin and continue their journey in the club that has guided me throughout high school. 

However, I would not be in the position I am in today without our advisor Mrs. McCaslin who has given me grace and support every step of the way. She is the heart of our publication and has shown me what it means to truly care for an organization. Embodying the values of a worthy publication, Mrs. McCaslin is the one who taught me the importance of getting a well-rounded story. She has pushed me to become a stronger writer and leader in the Chronicle, but outside of our club her room has become a safe haven for me. She is not only my Chronicle advisor, my English teacher, but also my mentor, and I will miss our long chats that always left me with a stronger sense of direction. Thank you, Mrs. McCaslin for letting me see the beauty of journalism. 

And of course, I want to thank my co-editor-in-chief and close friend Sophia. She has made this year the absolute best and I am in constant awe of her talent. Sophia has been a role model for me this past year as she is the first person I go to when I need help with writing, editing, or getting a good laugh. I am so grateful to have someone as caring as her to lead the Chronicle with. 

I can’t believe I am writing my final article for Springfield, but I am leaving feeling fulfilled and thankful for my time with the Chronicle. Although it is hard to say goodbye to such an amazing club and group of people, I know that the new editors and members will continue to love and care for it. 

Thank you,

Anya