When I joined the Roar in 10th grade, I had little understanding of what “journalism” truly meant. I had never published an article or conducted an interview. I didn’t even know that my school had an active online newspaper. At the time, I simply enrolled in the journalism elective to strengthen my writing skills and push myself beyond my comfort zone. Despite my inexperience, I was welcomed warmly into the Roar by my teacher at the time, Mr. Karpel, and my editors, Tevelle Bitton ’24, Micah Green ’24, and Noa Karidi ’24. With their guidance, I published my first story on a new campus phone policy, followed by an article covering an antisemitic incident involving the football team.
Through these early experiences, I began to understand why journalism is so important. When students read my story about the antisemitism our football team faced, many began to empathize with their experience in a way they hadn’t before. And when the story later appeared in the Roar’s print edition, I realized that my writing had effectively helped make our community more tight-knit and connected. That’s what high school journalism is about.
Over time, my mentors saw potential in me and taught me the foundations of ethical reporting and strong storytelling. With their support, I grew into not only a more confident writer, but a journalist driven by a passion for telling meaningful stories.
This year, as Editor-in-Chief, I became passionate about passing down all I had learned to new writers and welcoming them the same way my mentors had welcomed me. Editing their writing and seeing them grow has been the most rewarding part of my experience in the Roar.
It truly saddens me that at the end of this year, I will be graduating and effectively leaving my position as a Staff Writer and Editor-in-Chief. As I step down from my role, I know the Roar will continue to thrive through the voices of the next generation of writers. I hope I’ve contributed a true sense of purpose and passion that others will carry forward.
Journalism gave me a voice and now, it’s time for others to find theirs.
The 2026 Roar Editor-in-Chief,
Tomer Zur
