Samatha Fuller, Colin Killian, and Liam Bradford. The old familiar faces of the Lakeland journalism program and LHS class of 2024 graduates.
The journalism class has lost three of the most quintessential seniors they have seen in all four years the program has been at the school.
Bradford was in the class since his freshman year, being the only person in the class for eight full semesters and the last original member of the LHS journalism program.
He earned a spot as the head sports editor and worked at the Spokesman-Review with Fuller this year as a senior.
Bradford plans to go to college to be a broadcaster for sports media after finding his calling in the journalism class.
“I always looked forward to the class every day. Some people might not like putting so much time into an elective, but it was one of my favorite parts of high school because it helped me meet a lot of people around the school. Even though it was hard work, I enjoyed it,” Liam Bradford said.
Fuller finished her time in journalism as the editor-in-chief, running the show with Mr. Dunn.
“It made coming to school more enjoyable, so I had something to look forward to. It helped me figure out what I wanted to do in life and helped me decide what career path I wanted. I was able to learn a lot from Dunn,” Fuller said.
Fuller’s decision to pursue journalism as a career was greatly influenced by her time in the journalism class. Here, she discovered her passion for the field, which she plans to nurture and grow in college.
Fuller’s decision to join the journalism program was driven by her interest and desire to work with Bradford. Their collaboration led them to the Spokesman-Review and their respective career paths.
Killian’s contributions to the class extended beyond his achievements. His willingness to help his classmates and Mr. Dunn ensured the smooth running of the entire class. His dedication to teamwork is a valuable lesson for all first-year students.
“I enjoyed being able to work on my talking skills with people and being able to ask questions, and I enjoyed being able to write my own stories,” Collin Killian said, “It was fun because I wasn’t afraid to ask people for help and insight and I really liked helping others.”
A teacher is one of the most important things in a young adult’s life. They guide them through high school and give them extra guidance to move through life.
Lakeland journalism adviser Mike Dunn may have guided these students and made an impact on them, but not without them impacting him as well.
“All of these kids are the type of students who make me want to be a teacher,” Dunn said. “Sam did truly a remarkable job as editor-in-chief this year. Liam has been the backbone of this class ever since this class was founded, and Colin is not only a talented writer but an amazing kid.”
“I literally have no words to describe what these students have done for this class,” he added.
With all of the fantastic things the seniors have done this year, it is essential to give some credit where it is due to the man himself, Mr. Dunn.
Go, Fight, Win.
A line every student who walks through the doors of Dunn’s classroom will hear. Though it is just a small phrase, it impacts the students of his classes every day. Fuller, Bradford, and Killian acted on these words, whether intentionally or not. They came to class every day ready to go, fight and win.
Dunn makes sure to build his students up into the greatest versions of themselves they can be.
He can take students who have never written an article before and make them into future professional journalists.
The seniors’ hard work and dedication last year set a high standard for us.
They are only a year older than most students in the journalism class but became such inspirations to the students below them.
Achieving the high success that Fuller, Bradford, and Killian gained in the journalism class will be a challenge, but I speak on behalf of the whole class when I say we are willing to take it.
With all their hard work, the big three still managed to enjoy their time in journalism, and the appreciation for the seniors was overwhelming within the class.
The seniors’ influence extended beyond mentorship; they were friends and pillars of support within the class. Their presence created a sense of community, making the class feel like a family.
“I love Sam because she was a good friend, and she’s always there to give me critical constructive criticism, but I still know it is just to help me,” Johnnay Williams said, “She’s there for me outside of school just as much as in school.”
Williams had been in the class with Fuller and Bradford for the past two years and has spent much time working with them and learning many new things.
Learning from peers that you have good relationships with is one of the best ways for students to learn.
“I look up to the three of them greatly, and I think their leadership is inspiring. I’ll miss their support through the class and they made the class feel like it was family,” Audrey Halgren said.
Leadership goes hand in hand with good relationships with those above and below you and your position.
As editor-in-chief, Fuller had a recognizable attitude everyone understands: happy and kind, but if you mess up, you’ll know.
This was very helpful for us in learning and growing throughout the previous school year.
It’s important to understand that people appreciate you and all you do for others. That’s why when Dunn and I discussed what I should write for my final last year, we decided the best option would be a tribute story to the seniors graduating.
The seniors have not only left a lasting impact on the class, but they have also inspired my future aspirations. Like Fuller, I am now driven to pursue a career in journalism. They are among the most influential people I have ever had the privilege of knowing.
I am carrying on the torch this year as a head editor and stepping into shoes that will be extremely hard to fill.
It is hard to say goodbye to people who built a foundation for a group of people, especially when it feels like you can’t do it without them after they leave. Saying goodbye to these graduates was bittersweet for the class, with yearbooks being thrown around and students calling dibs on who gets to sign next. Walking into the class this year without them being around was very difficult, knowing that now I am the person that will carry on their legacy.
Watching Dunn say goodbye to the backbone of the class he advises was like seeing a parent drop their child off on their first day of kindergarten. There was pride in his eyes but sadness in his heart as he hugged Fuller, Bradford and Killian and said his final goodbyes.
Now, they have moved on to bigger and better things, going to college, and becoming people we can all be proud of them for.
Fuller, Bradford and Killian will do amazing things with their lives and grow into successful adults beyond just their achievements in high school.
It’s difficult to watch people leave, but I am so proud of that group of graduates, and it is now time to start following in their footsteps.
