In the conversation below, I reflect on my last four years as part of The Oracle staff with Liv, Emma, Noelle, and Ms. Deluccia, our advisor, while also discussing the future of The Oracle under a new editing team:
Liv: What are you going to miss the most about The Oracle?
Kanita: I’ll miss the people! I’ve made great friends all four years from all different grade levels. Also, I know that college and professional journalism are much more structured than high school journalism. Not to say that it was always easy, but I’ll miss leaning on my connections for assistance with articles and ideas. I know it’s a cliche, but I’ll miss being the “big fish” in a small pond. What inspired you to join The Oracle?
Liv: At the beginning of the year, I realized that I wanted to pursue journalism as a career path. I figured that The Oracle would serve as a solid stepping stone.
Emma: Ms. Deluccia was the driving force for me to join. She pulled me in, but I enjoyed it and stuck around!Kanita: Those are two completely different experiences! Noelle, you joined last year as a freshman. What drew you to The Oracle?
Noelle: In middle school, I was a part of the Publications Club. It was a mini-newspaper, consisting of a compilation of student work. I found The Oracle website when I was looking for clubs to join in high school. It was different, but I ended up loving it!
Emma: How do you plan on continuing journalism in the future?
Kanita: I’m not sure what I want to major in, let alone what kind of career I want to pursue, but I’ve always loved writing, and I know that that is something that I want to do forever. I plan on joining my college newspaper, and I would love to become a journalist. However, I have a lot to learn and can’t wait to nourish my inner writer outside the walls of Sparta High School. What has been your favorite part of being on The Oracle staff?
Liv: I love writing articles. When we were still in school, I liked talking to people and getting to have a moment with them, asking questions I wouldn't traditionally ask them. Most of my interviewees were people I knew but not well, so it was interesting to get to know more about them.
Emma: My favorite part was meeting my fellow writers. I would never have been able to have a conversation with you before, but at the end of the year, I consider you all friends!
Noelle: Being a part of The Oracle, I feel more connected to the school community. Before joining, I was missing out on a lot of school activities. Now, I am contributing by writing and informing students about the happenings of the school. How did joining The Oracle make you the person you are today?
Kanita: Your answer is a perfect segue for this question. I am a completely different person than I was in my freshman year, attending my first Oracle meeting. I have grown up so much as a person. Finding my place in high school was very difficult, and The Oracle was one facet of SHS that never discriminated. Over the last four years, I have been on staff with football players, artists, musicians, actors– people I would never have interacted with outside a classroom. Second, I have become much more confident– whether it’s taking center stage at meetings, setting up and conducting interviews, or even writing better emails– which believe me, is not something that comes naturally. Through The Oracle, I am proud to say that I found my voice and seized opportunities to write about what is important to me. Finally, as Noelle said, it instilled some much-needed school spirit in me. As someone who once disassociated with “Spartan Pride,” through writing for The Oracle I have moments and memories to be nostalgic about, a part of high school that I will always miss. What is something that you wish you knew before joining The Oracle?
Liv: I learned that there are a lot of topics that you wouldn’t think are interesting, that readers end up loving. For example, I wrote an article about TikTok at the beginning of the year. I didn’t expect it to become one of our most-read articles, but it was!
Emma: There is nothing I wish I knew about the club that would have prepared me for it. I learned a lot as I went along. Honestly, whether or not you join with prior knowledge, you're never left behind.
Noelle: It is helpful to know that there is no need to be a perfect writer. You continuously improve the more you write.
Liv: What was your favorite part being Editor-in-Chief?
Kanita: Holding meetings and getting to know the staff was the highlight. Back when I was a staff writer in my freshman and sophomore year, I kept to myself or talked to my Editor-in-Chief or Ms. Deluccia, so it was nice to connect with everyone. The best way for me to do so was through their writing. One singular memory of an Oracle initiative, which we kickstarted while I was Editor-in-Chief, was reading to kindergarteners from Alpine. It was so fun to organize and experience that. I’m glad that that’s one thing I can always attach to my experience as Editor-in-Chief.
Ms. Deluccia: We’re planning on starting early with this initiative next year, in September. By the end of the year, we hope to add a writing element with the students, something that we missed out on because of the school closure.
Kanita: What else can new readers look forward to next year?
Liv: In addition to the quality content already put out, we're adding a letter-to-the-editor feature, which will make The Oracle a more interactive platform for students.
Noelle: Readers can look forward to a wide range of information on a variety of topics– sports, academics, polls, and more.
Emma: What advice would you give to the new Oracle editing team or Oracle writers in general?
Kanita: To all Oracle writers– use your platform to your advantage. In this day and age, people underestimate the power of the news and the written word. Those students who feel like they don’t have the opportunity to express themselves should use The Oracle’s access for this purpose.
Noelle: What was your favorite article to write?
Kanita: There are so many, but my all-time favorite was one I wrote in my sophomore year. We were lucky enough to interview the famous "Woroworld," and I had the opportunity to write the article. When I sent it to members of my family, they thought it read like a professional interview. It felt like a rite of passage for me as a journalist. In that same year, I covered an Oracle-led panel discussion about diversity during the holiday season, which was also received very well. An honorable mention goes out to one of our most recent articles, a collaborative effort to combat injustice by providing educational tools and resources to our audience. Overall, I am very proud of my growth as a writer.
Liv: What is something you’ve gained during your time as part of the Oracle staff and/or as Editor-in-Chief?
Kanita: I have gained newfound confidence in myself. I would never have thought that I would be able to go up to a stranger and talk to them about anything, especially an unfamiliar subject. The Oracle gave me the courage to explore outside of my comfort zone. As a freshman, I wrote articles that were in my lane. I am so grateful to have expanded upon that every year. As Editor-in-Chief, having the opportunity to be a leader was an incredible experience, challenging me in different ways. Why do you think students should consider joining The Oracle staff?
Liv: As a staff member, you get to work with new people and publicize untapped information.
Emma: In so many clubs, there is a sense of competition. In The Oracle, you only have to do your part, and you're accepted. It’s a unique experience to be in a setting where everyone is working together for the same purpose.
Noelle: This club is rewarding. It improved both my writing and speaking skills. If there is a student who, like me, is on the fence, consider going to the interest meeting. You may end up liking it!
Kanita: I agree. As someone who loves to write, The Oracle was the perfect club for me. If you’re someone who does not consider yourself to be a good writer, there is still a place for you! We don't just take writers. We take photographers, advertisers, social media managers, and club sources.
Emma: Would you recommend The Oracle to anyone interested in joining?
Kanita: Yes, I 100% recommend The Oracle to anyone who even has the slightest interest. You have the opportunity to be yourself. Beyond the experience, it made me a better writer. I have had friends who joined not because they're interested in pursuing journalism, but for the sole reason of improving their craft. In life, no matter what you do, writing is such an important skill to have and one that you should constantly work on, no matter how good you are or how old you are. Whether you join the staff or not, you should consider reading our unique content. I am confident that it is only going to grow from here on out. Read The Oracle, subscribe to The Oracle, and join The Oracle staff!
Ms. Deluccia: The growth in participants, even within one year, is tremendous. Communication skills– writing, speaking, listening– are essential, no matter what you plan to do with your life. As Kanita said, you don't have to be a writer. Whether you are a social media guru or a photographer, there is a place for you. As the advisor of this club for fifteen years and counting, that's what I love most. Every year is different, with students from every situation and social group. Everyone finds their niche. You work together, whether you are the athlete, the artist, the musician, the actor, or the unattached student. With this mindset, we will continue to grow as a club.
Four years ago, I was a bright-eyed freshman who just wanted to write. Today, I am an enthusiastic, incoming college student who is eager to share my ideas. On a concluding note, I want to thank Ms. Deluccia and SHS alum Elise Kerim for recognizing my potential, entrusting me with this responsibility, and for their consistently unfiltered advice. Thank you to my incredible staff for being a great team, and for being great friends. Finally, I want to thank all of you for reading, interacting, and inspiring both myself and countless other students to use our voices.
Signing off one last time,
Kanita Tariq
Editor-in-Chief
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