The first time I heard about the LASA Liberator was when I was in sixth grade. My brother, a freshman at LASA at the time, had just joined the newspaper. As a rather opinionated kid, he was naturally excited for an outlet to share his opinions with a greater audience. Throughout middle school, I remember him bringing newspaper issues home for us. We read them at the dinner table, commended his work, and moved on with our lives. Though I enjoyed reading his articles, nothing about the newspaper appealed to me or made me eager to join.
That was until I was in eighth grade. When my brother was a junior, he wrote an extremely polarizing and controversial article regarding women’s reproductive rights. Though I did not go to LASA yet, he brought home stories about the school’s reaction. They were up in arms, and frankly, so was I. After many fights over breakfast and silent car rides, I decided to do something about it. I decided to join the LASA Liberator myself.
I joined the newspaper my sophomore year. On the first day of class, my brother came up as an example of things we maybe shouldn’t write about. I sat there awkwardly and shifted in my seat. As I began to write for the newspaper, I came out of my shell and realized how important it is to share our opinions. I realized that I did not want to hide the fact that my brother had written this article. I wanted to embrace it and make it known that I am my own person and can establish my own identity.
Through three years of being a part of the newspaper team, I have learned a lot. I have learned countless valuable lessons about the importance of opinions and individualism in a world that can seem so divided at times. I disagree with people all the time. I believe disagreement and civil discourse is vital, and we must use it to our advantage. After three years of writing for the paper and navigating high school, I have realized the importance of listening. Even if you disagree, listen. It may not change your mind, but there is no way to grow if you are closed off to what other people believe.
As I prepare to leave the LASA Liberator and go to college, I think about all the students who will sit in class on the first day of newspaper and hear stories about the abortion article that caused chaos throughout the school. They may shift in their seats a little like I did. I hope they read that article. I hope it fuels their passion, whether it be about reproductive rights or anything else.
Throughout my time on the newspaper, I have held many opinions. I have voiced those opinions. I have argued and debated and grown frustrated when people disagreed with me. But my experience with the LASA Liberator before I even went to LASA has stuck with me. I have listened to what others have to say, and I will never stop listening.
