The Next Chapter...

Every time a headlining story erupts over the news stations, I decide if it excites me. I decide if it angers me. When I finally decide that I have an opinion about it, words begin to come to life.

I have been writing for the Saline Courier for over a year now. The amount of support I have gotten from loved ones and strangers alike is unfathomable. Over the course of this journey, I have discovered my character and constructed it into something far greater than myself. I have encountered issues that I would have never even dreamed of involving myself in. I have been given the pleasure of bringing light to honorable people that I know as my friends and family.

As you may have anticipated, and I write this with a heavy heart, this is my last article for the time being. Nevertheless, I consider my time at the Saline Courier a blessing. It has broadened my literary horizons and brought light to a new side of me.

I would love to express my plans for after graduating high school. As you may know, I am currently a senior at Bryant High School. I graduate on May 29. During the summer, I will be the youth intern for my church, Pleasant Hill Baptist. This involves four church camps, Vacation Bible School, Lunch Bible Studies and other various youth group activities. I will be attending the University of Arkansas at Little Rock. I plan to major in Social Work and Mass Communications. I will possibly get a doctorate, if I feel God laying it on my heart. On top of this, I aspire to maintain a 4.0 grade point average throughout college. Obviously, my schedule is utterly hectic. Sadly, with this agenda, I could not write quality articles for the Courier. In a way, I am doing this to protect my journalistic presentation for all of you.

However, I don’t want this to leave an empty feeling in any of my readers’ hearts. As you flip through the pages of the Courier from now on, I want you to continue appreciating the other great columnists I have gotten to share this paper with. I value each and every one of my readers. If it was not for the pillar you all have set for me, I would not have become such a successful writer.

Throughout this literary escapade, I have been granted the joy of demonstrating my political and socialistic opinions on a much more public scale than just a Facebook status or an Instagram post. For that, I express gratitude to my editor, Brent Davis. From the first interview to the last article, Brent has allowed me to manifest my thoughts into words, and articulate my words into paper.

I do not want my readers to perceive this article as a “Goodbye”. My contribution to the Saline Courier is not yet over. From time to time, you may witness a plot twist. A spontaneous article of mine may materialize when you least expect it. If I feel the need to assert an opinion on a major news story, keep your eyes on the paper, because it may just happen.

Thank you for reading for the past year or so. If you would like to read any of the articles I have written over this adventure, you can find them all on my website. I will also be adding more from time to time.

Thank you again. May God bless every individual that has fortified me along the way. Every one of you have served as a blessing to my life. As always, I would enjoy reading your feedback via email.