Dear SCH, 

The final print edition of the year has arrived! With 12 pages, this issue is as robust as ever. We feature articles on everything from sports rituals to Rec renovation updates, and of course include our humorous Flashlight section to lighten the mood. With stories about incoming faculty members, we look ahead to next year, but at the same time we say goodbye to many in this edition of The Lantern. As your inaugural Editor-in-Chief, this letter is significant. It’s my final edition. I cannot believe this day has come.

In January of 2023, I began my CEL Capstone semester asking “How might we revive journalism here at SCH?” At that point, a fully functioning student-led newspaper was no more than an idea, a thing of fiction. But that simple ‘how might we’ question, and the monumental goal of reviving, of re-igniting The Lantern, guided my efforts through the CEL program, and has remained my focus ever since.

Now, after one logo contest, seven print editions, countless announcements, 444 stories and over over 70 total contributors, I can confidently say that we did it. We revived The Campus Lantern.

To everyone who took a chance and joined me on this journey, thank you. Whether you wrote an article, got interviewed for a story, read our work, or just cheered at assemblies, you helped make this possible. Without Dr. Dinkins’s inspiration, and the school administration’s unwavering support, we could never have brought the paper back into existence.

As I leave, remember that our newspaper is meant to be the voice of our community. Use the paper to express yourselves— have fun with it! I hope that the bar of entry to join our team, no matter what role you choose to pursue, remains as low as it gets. Everyone, no matter who you are, where you sit at lunch, or what else you’re involved in, should be not only encouraged, but should be welcomed and celebrated for joining the newspaper.

I have no doubt that The Lantern will be in good hands next year, and for years to come. We will once again have a Journalism elective full of sophomores, juniors, and seniors, an active newspaper club side for anyone interested, and our dedicated faculty advisor, Ms. Gellhorn. Junior Michael Goff will assume the role of Senior Editor-in-Chief, and he, along with several passionate current underclassmen, will continue to grow as leaders. Excited 8th graders from Ms. Knutson’s CEL Digital Publishing classes will join our paper next year, and eventually the reporters for the Middle School Torch and fourth Grade’s Lower School News, The Spark, will make an impact on our staff, as well.

Ultimately, it is up to all of you to keep The Lantern lit, and I know you will. Thank you, SCH, for embracing The Campus Lantern, and letting me leave a legacy with the newspaper of enthusiasm, collaboration, sleepless nights, and connection throughout the community. It has been an honor.

Sincerely,

Griffy Whitman ‘25

Inaugural Editor-in-Chief

The Campus Lantern