Goodbye Class of ‘23
By McKenna Worsham
Photo of journalism seniors: Alexia Sang, Olivia Voth, Declan Bunch, Timmy Keil, Makayla Sordo and Braylon Stafford, taken by McKenna Worsham.
The Class of 2023 has brought many amazing people through the doors of OHS, though one of many hard goodbyes this year is to our Senior Writing Staff. Our six seniors have made the journalism class what it is: a safe, creative, open and fun class. For one hour each day, they are all in the same room, passing around poetry, articles, art and music. Although this is a rough farewell, the junior writing staff is vastly proud of the seniors and all the phenomenal things they will do, beginning next fall.
“My time at Owasso, and in journalism specifically, has definitely felt like a sitcom the whole time, but in a good way,” senior Olivia Voth grins.
Voth plans to study history and possibly something in the realm of science at the University of Oklahoma next year. She is preparing to, eventually, go to law school and continue to use writing in the future somehow.
“I hope to be rich and happy in the future,” Voth states in her true fashion.
Another wonderful senior staff member, Timmy Keil, is planning to get all of his basic credits done at TCC next year before transferring to UCO to major in sound engineering. Keil, who is currently in the band Greyland, wishes to be a part of the engineering that brings music to life. This way he can help other artists while he is also still heavily invested in his band and writing on the side.
Keil says, “Journalism was the best class I’ve ever taken at Owasso. I can say that it truly improved my ability to write and it opened me up to a new medium of writing that I would’ve never done without the class.”
The next senior has an especially unique plan for the fall, being the “Naval Academy…I want to join the Navy and become a fighter pilot before retiring to do engineering,” Braylon Stafford, senior writer, states proudly.
Like all seniors, Stafford has been through many emotions during this last year of his high school career. Despite a packed-full schedule, preparation for the Naval Academy and especially high levels of “senioritis”, Stafford has continued to excel in editing the Rampage website, as well as writing this year.
Makayla (Mak) Sordo, yet another impeccable writer on our writing staff, says, “Journalism kind of revived the high school experience for me. My sophomore year was rough and at that point I was ready to graduate…Since I’ve been in journalism, I actually think I’m going to be pretty upset leaving behind these people that have basically read my diary for two years.”
As a future Sooner, Sordo is pursuing a writing career as an “English and Journalism” major at OU next fall. In due time, Sordo hopes to transfer to Temple University in Philadelphia during her sophomore year of college to continue her education in civic journalism.
Unlike most others, Declan Bunch, another beloved senior, will be studying Biological Sciences. Bunch will be attending the University of Albany to do research science in the future. Though his degree will not encase a lot of creative writing opportunities, Bunch has made it clear his writing skills will continue to be a use of personal, creative expression.
“I loved being able to hear others' art and how they express themselves…The people I met in journalism I won’t soon forget…We have all created bonds through our humor and shared expression that will last far longer than high school,” Bunch says with gratitude.
Bunch sarcastically adds, “I am so appreciative of everyone that made that class worthwhile, yes, even Mr. DeBella.”
With that, it has come down to one last senior, our editor (and queen), Alexia Sang. She is the heartbeat of the journalism staff and a truly amazing writer.
“I am forever grateful for my time on this journalism staff. I’ve been surrounded by overwhelmingly intelligent and creative people for the last three years and I truly believe that has helped challenge me into the person I am today,” Sang states lovingly.
Along with Voth and Sordo, Sang will continue her education at OU to swim and serve in the President’s Leadership Class. She will be double majoring in Communications and English to further pursue all of the incredible things she has excelled at in high school, including writing.
Sang and the other seniors will be missed immensely on our staff next fall. However, we could not be any prouder or happier for our favorite writers to go and write the rest of their stories.
Sang’s final words to the staff seems to perfectly end this school year. “To my journalism staff: Thank you for everything- from the countless memories, to the hype you gave me after reading my writing, to the life lessons we uncovered in our class discussions. Don’t take this resource for granted and don’t ever stop writing. You all inspire me daily and never forget it.”