Hello! My name is Leila Harper, and I am currently a sophomore at Armijo High School, enrolled in the International Baccalaureate (IB) program. I have been writing for The Armijo Signal since last year, when I was a freshman.

I had Journalism as an elective last year, back when it was still a class. It was a perfect opportunity for me to learn the ropes of writing for the paper. I really enjoyed the class and writing, so I continued doing so. It was an honor to be chosen to be an Editor. It was exciting for me because it showed that I could be counted on to be in charge of more than just a couple of stories. I really enjoy being the Beyond the Gates editor.

For me, writing for the school paper is so fun because I love to write. I love being able to have creative control over the topics I write about. It feels euphoric to put out a story that I worked really hard on. Being an editor gives me the same feeling. It feels good to have earned so much responsibility. When I put up someone else’s story, it gives me a rush of exhilaration like I’ve seen my own story.

Being a part of The Armijo Signal is a great joy. Being a part of something is nice, especially if you’re making a difference. With my stories, I just hope to give someone some enjoyment for a couple of minutes. I like to write information to entertain. Writing for the paper has made me branch out so much, and I think it was good for me to get the chance to go on interviews and write about people. However, I think I will always be partial to writing about books, movies, and the monthly focus. I hope I continue down this path because it gives me something to look forward to.