By Tina Torre
I am completely dumbfounded. After two years on The Chariot staff spent with a community full of light, passion and creativity, I am saying goodbye from the same room where it all began. In room 117, student activities, I have been given the opportunity to collaborate with fun, wonderful people to pursue a common passion for reporting all that occurs at New Hyde Park and beyond. I’m grateful for the photographers, cartoonists, writers, staff writers, section editors, Rachel and Mrs. Mannle for composing such a positive, welcoming atmosphere.
Christina: Thank you for taking on the NHP band in New Orleans article and hollering for Matthew Zatz through the student activities window. I know you’re in the room whenever I hear the coffee machine dripping and smell the sweet vanilla aroma, and it is a great feeling. I have enjoyed your sense of humor, as well as your intel regarding the latest TV shows in layout. As an aside, I don’t think I could’ve gotten through Wall Street projects without you. If you were a fruit, you’d be grapes because just as you know exactly what you are getting before you eat a grape (consistency), you are honest and fair.
Fiona: Fiona! You bring so much life to the newspaper, between your unique editorial ideas and hysterical personal anecdotes (your TikTok tribulations are very relatable). I don’t think anyone will ever get over your schoolie Sharioot article. I have enjoyed reading your writing, and I know you will experience success in the next coming years. If you were a fruit, you’d be a cherry because you just give off it-girl vibes.
Helee: I don’t even know where to begin. Wuu donk hve in MVP onf tonk charnot booty è tu. You are one of the most talented, multi-faceted people I have ever met, and you are so unironically funny. You have served as such an asset, taking on breaking news at our beck and call, spontaneously producing last minute art and keeping us sane. As much as you were present, there were so many times in The Chariot after you went home that Rachel and I wished you were still there. I will undoubtedly miss your one-of-a-kind personality and impeccable talent. CMU is lucky to have you, and I hope to stay in touch. If you were a fruit, you’d be an avocado because you can do it all: be on toast, be in a smoothie, be with an omelet, be on a sandwich or God forbid be blended into pasta.
Rachel and Julia: To the girls who can possess a positive perspective about anything, thank you for your unconditional support and bubbly personalities. Anytime your names were tied to an article, we knew that we would have a fun read and little-to-no editing to do. Besides always producing great work, you guys have made The Chariot better by bringing your amazing characters to room 117. To me, Julia, you are energetic, cheery, outgoing, and creative. Rachel, you are bright, kind, and loving. I am glad to have been on staff with you both. If you were fruits, you’d be strawberries because they are bright, sweet, and delightful just like you.
Kaitlyn: Kaitlyn, your passion for reporting is eminently apparent. You possess the innate journalistic trait to seize the opportunity to write a story. In working with writers and seeing your involvement in other clubs, it is clear that you are a true leader. You always communicate and ask questions, and I appreciate your desire to ensure that everything runs smoothly. I wish you the best of luck next year and beyond. If you were a fruit you’d be an apple because just as apples come in many different flavors, you are involved in so many different wonderful things.
Linda: If anyone possesses the bravery to effectively use their words as an instrument to implement change, it is you. I appreciate your determination and drive to report multiple aspects and perspectives to tell a story. I love hearing your opinions and the connections you make in analyzing current events. I would’ve never made the deep associations between Beyoncé and house music in propelling minorities, and that is what is so special about you. Thank you for truly caring about justice and the truth. If you were a fruit you’d be a pineapple because you’re bold on the outside but flavorful on the inside.
Mirolla: Thank you for taking on sports, my favorite section, my baby (thanks to you too Morgan). It is astonishing how you have managed being an all-year-round track star and a section editor. I have appreciated your writing, especially your Homecoming editorial, and the ideas you have brought to brainstorm. On an unrelated note, thank you for being one of the people who I could relate to to help me get through AP Chem. Good luck next year at college. If you were a fruit you’d be a banana because you are both good for running.
Morgan: To Morgan, thank you for being our liaison. Your connections to many people at NHP have immensely helped us in writing, and you have written the best senior athlete articles. We have loved seeing you at layout, especially at late night where your humor is most apparent. I also wish you the best of luck in your future endeavors. If you were a fruit you’d be a watermelon because you’d be so much fun at a cookout.
Samarth: When I think of Samarth, I think of success. I just know your immense knowledge of pop culture, society’s tendencies, and your observance of the world around you will push you to go far in life. Thank you for keeping me informed and up to date with the latest news. I could honestly see you in any career, but I know your current plan of marketing would be a good fit too. You are a great person. If you were a fruit you’d be a mango because mangos are always trendy and popular but are subtle and possess humility.
Tessa: Dear Tessa, I have enjoyed hearing your ideas at brainstorm, as many are unique and have informed me about medicine, the economy, and politics. There is no doubt in my mind that you are an intelligent individual and possess a great capacity to help people. You are a hard-working, high-achieving person, and I imagine you seeing success in any path you take. Best of luck to you. If you were a fruit you’d be cranberries because they have so many health benefits and so will you, given your aspirations for the medical field.
Asmita: Thank you for writing about key events in the world around us and always conducting in-depth research. I hope you continue to write for the paper. Have a good summer and rest of the year.
Darsh: Darsh, you have been our go-to for conducting interviews, writing research intensive articles, taking last-minute pictures (thanks for the softball photos), and meeting with faculty. We can always rely on you to do your work and produce quality articles, and we appreciate your journalistic abilities. Although we joke that you are an old-soul, I do truly mean it when I forget what grade you are in because of your maturity and intelligence. Thank you for your contributions to The Chariot.
Izhaan: To our Royal Gladiator, whether it be quotes about the latest band concert or reporting the track team’s successes, you have shown up time and time again for The Chariot. Thank you for taking on sports season wrap ups and writing last minute articles on late night. I don’t need to tell you all the reasons why I admire you and believe you are an immensely talented individual, but know that I will miss your approachable personality and am sure you will greatly contribute to society. Please continue playing music, or doing whatever pursuit brings you contentment; your fervor to follow your passions inspires more people than you realize.
Writers: Thank you for allowing journalism to exist at New Hyde Park. In many ways, you guys are the heart and soul of this club, and I hope you continue writing in the future. To the underclassmen, please come back to write for The Chariot next year and continue reporting! To the senior writers, good luck next year at college, and make sure to inquire about your future school’s student-run newspaper. The world needs to hear all of your voices.
Anna: Anna, as one of the paper’s oldest, most talented members, your absence will be felt and your presence missed. I’ve tried using a camera before, and I do not know how you are able to snap a clear, high-quality picture of the exact moment that a Romanette does a high kick or wide receiver catches a football. It’s crazy to think about your time here, given how many times you have chased down teachers for our superlative articles or hunted down club members at school events for photos. From seeing the short films you have produced so far, it’s clear that you have artistic talent and big things will come for you at NYU.
Ashwathi: Ash, your cartoons have brought so much color and life to the paper. I don’t know if you’ve noticed, but we have used your iconic regents exam art for multiple issues on the timeline. As well, we have loved the conversations that you have brought to art meetings.
Debarati: Deb, thank you for taking on many roles on The Chariot, from drawing cartoons, writing calligraphy, and creating Instagram posts to sending Remind messages. Your presence has always filled the room both last year and this year. On an unrelated note, you have taught me a lot about culture, TV and music through your stories.
Kristen: I’m happy to have gotten the chance to know you through both volleyball and The Chariot. As a teammate, you served as an asset and integral part of our offense on the court. As a photographer, we always appreciated your contributions, like your photos of junior high sports. Good luck next year at Sacred Heart!
Sabeena: SABEENA! Since first meeting you in freshman year English, I have loved experiencing your wonderful, lively personality. I still remember when you dressed as Mr. Yen and hosted your own dating show for a presentation. I always feel comfortable going up to talk to you, whether it be life or The Chariot. Thank you for possessing artistic vision and always producing more than exactly what we were envisioning for an article. I especially loved your Damar Hamlin cartoon.
Saffah: To Saffah, thank you for being you. You have shown your humor and realness in any class I’ve had with you, and I am grateful for that. I am glad to have had you on the art staff. Some of my favorite works of yours were the Super Mario Bros. and the norovirus cartoons. I wish you the best of luck in your future pursuits.
Sam: Sammy! We’ve grown closer and closer throughout high school, and I’m glad to have had you by my side this year especially. You have been my partner in accounting and lunch and gym and volleyball and psych and calc. Thank you for constantly having classes with me each year because it has been nice to have a great friend. Thank you for providing last minute pictures and quotes for The Chariot. You are the Peeta to my Katniss, partner-in-crime.
Shadia: Your personality is the cutest, just like your outfits. I vividly remember your presence at one art brainstorming meeting where you had an idea for a cartoon showcasing the twirlers, and I was in love with the result. Your art always differs from my initial expectation, and I mean that in the best way. Good luck to you.
Art Staff: To the rest of our art staff, The Chariot would not be The Chariot without you. We always say that one of the best parts about publishing online is the ability to implement unlimited cartoons, photos, and other media, and the “full picture” of a story could not be conveyed without you guys.
Mary Kay Mannle: Dear Mrs. Mannle, there are too many words to be said, too much credit, appreciation, and positivity to offer. Mainly, thank you for everything. Thank you for always giving us the chance to be the best version of ourselves. Thank you for providing unconditional light, support, and encouragement. Most importantly, thank you for your Trader Joe’s runs. Just kidding, thank you for being you. If you were a fruit you’d be a peach because you are loved by many and my favorite.
Rachel Houng: To The Chariot’s editor-in-chief, you are my muse. None of this would’ve been possible without you, and you have seriously been a major part of shaping my Chariot experience. You are the most well-rounded person I know. You are kind, bright, funny, selfless, and creative. Thank you for being the best partner I could’ve asked for and more. I don’t know how you put up with me. Congrats on MACAULAY HUNTER, and I know you will go on to do big things. Please never stop being the Rachel I know and love. If people were fruits, you would not be a fruit because you are too special to me. Jk, you’re a kumquat.
Source by Mary Kay Mannle
Tina Torre's time with The Chariot has ended, as she goes on to major in adolescent math education with a certification in students with disabilities at Long Island University.