For me, it’s hard to count all of the things that make Vestavia so great, but it's easy to find where it starts: the students. Every year, Vestavia students accomplish incredible things, but often go unrecognized for the weight of their accomplishments. It is truly no one’s fault that the size of our student body makes it hard to feel seen, but it is important that we keep encouraging those around us to do great things. That’s where Pillar started for me. I wanted to create a space where we could celebrate each other and amplify student voices across the board. This year, I hope Pillar does just that.
When we had our first staff meeting a couple weeks ago, some of the seniors were throwing around ideas for a fun slogan we could put on the back of a t-shirt. While most of this was done in jest, the majority of the ideas had something to do with uplifting or supporting the community (like a pillar), and actually spoke pretty well to what our common goal is this year. We want to ensure that the student body and the community of Vestavia Hills feels supported and unified.
Our staff meets monthly to discuss article assignments and set due dates. Around half of our articles are assigned events, covering moments at football games, dances, and fundraisers. The remainder of all articles are chosen by the writers themselves. Pillar drops every other Monday, and half of the staff is assigned to each drop, totaling in about 15-17 articles each time an update occurs. Each article is edited by our student editors, with Bella Gentry on News, Anusha Singh on Student Life, Mallory Dean on Opinion, and Carol Li serving as Junior Editor. After that, each article is reviewed by the Editor-In-Chief, and formatted for posting on the website. It is with great excitement that we present the first ever Pillar drop.
This drop truly has it all. From our win at Spain Park last week, to the dramatic finale of the Senior Spikeball tournament, and even a shout-out to National Queso Day, I am confident there is something for everyone. To me, this past month back at school has felt like a testament to a community that never falters, and the return to well-loved tradition after a season of uncertainty caused by COVID-19. I hope this set of articles conveys what it truly means to be part of a community like Vestavia.
Happy Reading,
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