Zadie,
Before anything else, you must know what a rarity you are. It is a privilege of a lifetime to encounter an unapologetically feminine woman who stands in the height of leadership—a role so long reserved for men. You are someone so deeply inhabited in the poetry of her own mind, a writer, a poet, a visionary, a thinker. You, Zadie, are a privilege-of-a-lifetime woman.
This may be a moment that’s grown cliché between us, but for the sake of goodbyes, let’s reminisce one last time. I so fondly recall the day you delivered that powerful spoken word to an auditorium brimming with middle school students, and you, only an eighth-grader yourself. You spoke of eyes. The eyes, or perhaps it was the hands, of men that you could sense, always, tracing your step. You put oppressors to shame that day, and blew away your contenders. It was standing atop the world to be next to you as they handed out awards and well-deserved recognition. I find myself, again, honored to find a place beside you, aspiring to shine as brightly. I only pray I can feed as much energy, radiate as much light, and command as much respect as you have, my friend.
That same year, I remember the school protest you helped lead. You stood on stage as students populated the auditorium to join our young, masked yet mighty voices in solidarity for the Black Lives Matter movement. You spoke of your father, who raised you to be proud in this country as his Asian blood pulses warm through your veins. He, who helped you know confidently that you could do anything and be anyone. No one could be too grateful that you listened. You’ve never relinquished your passion, nor your unrelenting drive to greet the world with ambition and positivity each day. I will not stop preaching: the amount you juggle rivals the performance of a professional acrobat. You exude involvement, interest, and talent: from poetry to social justice to theater and beyond, with tender ease. Perhaps it is your astounding ability to act, but I have never seen you stressed or harrowed.
Five years have passed and brought us here. Where I stand on the threshold waving a sorrowful farewell. Where you, with a bittersweet heart, leave an exalted legacy and turn toward new destinations.
I wouldn’t dare end this letter without at least attempting to grant your legacy justice. You’ve nurtured this ancient publication as would a mother her child. You possess an aura of humor, selflessness, and unparalleled integrity—characteristics that allowed you to craft a passionate, intellectual, dedicated Board. There are few people who approach this world with such a level of kindness and patience that recognizes goodness in everyone. In holding us to account, the newspaper has set many records, from Literary to new applicant submissions, and now in your wake, two new Board roles.
Upon Caedmon’s loving insistence last year, we deliberated your election for editor-in-chief. Your peers all gushed with unequivocal enthusiasm at the prospect of you on that throne. You inspired each of us, and through us you inspire future Tattlerites. We see you for the devoted caretaker you are, for the way you can clean up our messes and tantrums. Your cognizance pardons our forgetfulness, your wisdom—so beyond your years, your steadfast presence calms each storm.
May you remain in touch with the river of words that flow through you. May your wisdom forever be revered. May your love blanket all those blessed to know you. May you achieve all you seek and seek ceaselessly.
All yours,
Corallus ’27]
Ace,
Believe it or not, I’ve started and stopped and scrapped this letter too many times to count. Even though you’ve practically been ready to graduate high school since you first came here, it’s still a little hard for me to believe it’s happening. You have been such a formative part of my high school experience, especially my time on the Tattler board.
I can still remember the first time you welcomed me onto The Tattler, not even a day after I had learned I would be on the next year’s board. I accepted with great excitement your offer to be my Tattler parent. I had looked up to you from the get go—you had blue hair and a cool demeanor and had written two novels. Two. And though I think I no longer consider myself such, I have been honored to be your Tattler child.
I have learned so much from you about how to be a writer and an editor. You have the amazing ability to know exactly what would improve a piece—a skill I envy you for—and the conviction to argue for those changes. When you speak, the room listens, and rightly so. You are one of the wisest and most insightful people I know, and I think you have made the Tattler Editorial Board better for it.
I have also acquired from you, somewhat begrudgingly, an admiration for journalism—more importantly, an understanding for why it matters. Humanity, to you, is something to be highlighted and celebrated; the good things and the bad. And journalism is one of your many mediums for recognizing our species’s achievements, and our areas for growth. Your love of being the News editor has made me appreciate the section more, but more importantly, it has drawn out this love in others. You have cultivated an impressive community in our News section, and revitalized an art form at IHS which is being increasingly neglected nationwide. Your devotion to your own section has also inspired me to care for mine even more; I take you as a model for how to do editing well and passionately. Thank you for letting me thrive.
I don’t think I was ever going to be able to do this goodbye justice because, like I said above, this almost doesn’t seem real to me. I can’t believe I won’t be able to sit next to you next year. I am going to miss you so incredibly much—making each other laugh and think, especially. Expect me to text you insufferably often…
But I also know you’re going to thrive at Yale. I look forward to seeing you win all of New Haven’s hearts, as you have won Ithaca’s. Because you are amazing, you are a mind to be reckoned with, and I think just about anyone can see that.
Your Tattler child forever and always,
Julia ’27
Dear Mia,
I came into The Tattler fresh-faced and ignorant. I knew almost nothing about the editing process, let alone how to formulate the backpage. You immediately made sure to set up a meeting to show me the ropes, helping me feel comfortable and supported with any questions I had. Even this year, in my new role as archivist, you were quick to check in and help when I had no idea where to start. You have always been such an amazing and helpful part of The Tattler, and my experience this year would never have been the same without you.
Your kindness never fails to shine to the people around you, bringing extra light and joy to every meeting. Within meetings you also bring such a strong perspective and show constructive feedback and praise.
You are so special to The Tattler, not only through your personality but also your work as opinion, backpage, and archive. Whether it comes to creating and maintaining segments, developing creative backpages, or sorting through the dusty past Tattlers, you have always been able to create something innovative that shows how much you care about The Tattler and its community. I wish you an amazing time at Buffalo next year. You’re going to do amazing. I just know it :).
Love,
Mathilde ’27
Dear Lily,
Oh dear, where do I even start? I truly cannot even start to imagine highschool, especially The Tattler, without you. It feels so strange to think about you leaving, because, for as long as I can remember, you have been someone I looked up to. I still remember my sixth grade year, and thinking of you as the “coolest” eighth grader in band. Since then, that admiration has only grown more. You have become a true inspiration to me, not only because of everything you do, but because of the way you do it with so much care and kindness.
Despite your busy schedule with all the “cool Lily things” you do, you somehow still find time to be there for the people around you. You are one of those people who makes everyone feel comfortable and completely themselves. Whether it was through a brief chat, a car ride, or even walking to class together, you always brought such fun energy and have created memories that I will never forget. I will forever miss our chats in the car, your stories, our jokes, and, of course, all our snack sessions.
I am so grateful that I got to find a person like you. You have left such a positive impact on me and so many people around you. Even though I will miss you so much, at the same time, I am so excited for all your next endeavors. I am wishing you the best next four years at Cornell; enjoy it, and expect many visits from me! Thank you for being such an amazing friend, role model, and being part of my life. I will miss you so much.
With so much love,
Ashley ’28
Dear Kate,
It’s hard to imagine that we only met two years ago, we almost immediately became friends, and I feel like I have known you for so much longer. I will always be thankful Frau sat us next to each other my freshman year.
You are one of the bubbliest people I know, and I admire how you can find light in every situation. You never fail to make everyone feel supported, and I hope everyone you meet reciprocates that. I look up to you in so many ways, but also feel like we are so similar and always on the same wavelength, spending almost every second of the day with you on the German exchange really showed me that :).
I have loved writing for sports this year. You are such an amazing writer, and your passion for sports shows in your work. You have so much school spirit, and you bring that energy to everything you do, whether it is lacrosse or being part of The Tattler, and I hope that excitement never fades.
Although we will all miss you so much, I am so excited to see what adventures await you at Notre Dame, and I hope college brings you so many opportunities. You deserve the absolute best!
Love,
Lea ’27
Dear Josh,
I, along with many others, will miss you so much next year. I came onto the board as an inexperienced freshman who was a bit fried from my first year in high school and trying to balance the new tasks expected of me as part of being on the Tattler Editorial Board. Your calm and constant presence at Friday meetings made this transition much easier and contributed so much to the rich discussions and atmosphere created. I don’t think there was a single meeting you attended and didn’t share your thoughts.
I know during the ice breaker a few weeks ago, you said you don’t like talking that much, but I find that whenever I talk to you, I always end up having a very meaningful conversation. While editing editorials or even chatting about a favorite conversation topic, your responses are always so well thought out and unique. One of my favorite memories was your comment on the satire editorial talking about how “we could pay our teachers, but that’s just ridiculous!” That was one of our biggest inspirations when revising the editorial.
No matter what the task is, I know you’ll give it your all and do a great job. I’m sure you have so many cool experiences awaiting you. Good luck, and I hope you have a blast at Cornell!
Wishing you the best,
Olivia ’28
Dear Vivian,
I love The Tattler, but starting with Layout required a steep learning curve—let’s say it took some time to build up my enthusiasm for Canva—that you helped make just a little more fun.
You were always there to offer support when I managed to misread the style guide or got the page number backward, and for that I am equally apologetic and grateful. Without you, I doubt I would have gotten through that first June issue in one piece. But since then this year has flown by, with a little hitch during the seventy two pages of the Literary Issue we formatted in December.
Your graphic design work on that issue is still a favorite of mine to date, each page had its own character but remained cohesive with other spreads, a talent I truly envy. Yet, on top of that, you were able to write a fascinating Opinion column each month. “Controversial Takes” never ceases to make me think and get excited about whichever topics you’ve chosen to expand on, and I know the column won’t be the same without your work.
I will never be able to express enough how grateful I am for everything you’ve done for Layout and this fantastic editorial board over the past year, and I know that wherever you go next you will have that same impact of support on all those you meet.
Best of luck, and thanks for everything,
Susanne ’28
Dear Coco,
I’m going to miss you so much next year, and I know I won’t be the only one. You have always been the kind of person who lifts people up without even trying, someone who can immediately turn strangers into friends. That was true for me, and it is something I have always admired about you. You have a way of making everyone feel included and like they belong.
You also have this instinct for people and situations that is honestly hard to describe. You always know exactly what to say in every moment, and you can read a room better than anyone I know. Your judgment is unparalleled. Whenever something goes wrong, you somehow find the heart of the problem immediately and know exactly how to make it better. You have pulled Mock Trial, me, and so many others out of more crises than I can count. Every time I need advice, you give it with so much clarity and without judgement. It is such a gift to have you as the voice of reason that keeps all of us grounded.
And beyond that, you have made everything more fun. You pushed me to be a little braver, to say yes to crazy adventures, and to slow down and enjoy all of it even when things felt overwhelming.
I have loved being on editorial board with you, having that indescribable connection at every Model United Nations conference despite never being in the same committee, and being co-captain of Mock Trial with you has truly been the privilege of a lifetime. But more than any title or activity, I am just so indescribably grateful that you are my friend.
It is hard to imagine next year without you. I’m going to miss you more than I can say. California is so lucky that it’s about to get even sunnier.
Love you so much,
Cornelia ’27
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