While this issue is mainly centered around seniors and their accomplishments at the end of their high school career, they wouldn’t be here without our amazing UAHS staff
By Abby Gray, ’18 and Clare Driscoll, ’19
Carol Hemmerly
Five periods out of the day, room 221 is filled with students. Whether it be public speaking, yearbook, IB film or journalism, language arts teacher Carol Hemmerly shares her knowledge of the world of communications with students taking both required and elective courses.
In recent national events surrounding the high school shooting in Parkland, FL, student journalism has been realized by many. For Hemmerly, this staple in American youth culture has been the core of her teaching over the past 20 years.
“[Student journalism] is essential because it helps students become aware of the fact that their voice and their coverage comes with both the ability to make a change and the responsibility of making sure that what they’re reporting is accurate and fairly presented,” she said.
Hemmerly became the Arlingtonian newsmagazine adviser her first year teaching at UAHS; she took the Norwester yearbook adviser position her second. Over the past 20 years, she has overseen the process of publication for both programs, helping students produce professional journalistic work to be sent out to the entire student body.
“My favorite part of teaching student journalism is the finalization process of preparing things for an audience: making sure you’re meeting the needs of your audience and engaging your audience,” Hemmerly said. “To me, it’s very important for students to remember that no matter how awesome your interview is or how in-depth and insightful your story is if it’s not something your audience wants to read, you have not met your goal.”
As for students interested in getting involved in student journalism, Hemmerly suggests taking the Arlingtonian prerequisite courses: Journalism I and II.
In these classes, students “practice journalistic writing, they practice interviewing sources, we look at various ways to research information and present it to a focused target audience and engage that audience,” Hemmerly said.
As long as there is news to report in UA, Hemmerly will steward student journalism and aid those interested in producing journalistic writing for the UA community to read.
Brian Chandler
An Arlingtonian poll asked the class of 2018 for their favorite teacher from their time at UAHS. 84 seniors responded and math teacher Brian Chandler was the winner. Chandler is known throughout the school for his love of Star Wars and his animated teaching style abut his relationship with the senior class and his advice for them as they enter adulthood.
Q: What about your class or teaching style do you believe lead seniors to vote you as their favorite teacher?
A: Well, I would say it’s hopefully because my students know that I really care about them and I try to engage with them on a personal level. I also really try to make class funny but also, hopefully, at the same time educational. I think it’s the personal relationships paired with the fun learning environment.
Q: Do you have any fond memories with the class of 2018?
A: I have had a lot of these students either as seniors this year or as sophomores and juniors in Algebra II so I know quite a few of them. I’ve also had some of them multiple times. Because of that, there have been a lot of really fun moments but that also makes it hard to think of one. I’ve had so many humorous moments in class just laughing, joking and having a good time with these seniors. I’ve also had really great times seeing them at their games and at their concerts. So it’s really hard to pick just one thing.
Q: What is your advice for the class of 2018 as they begin their lives outside of high school?
A: My one piece of advice to the senior class would be to never take yourself too seriously. Try to enjoy things as they come and know that if you make mistakes, it’s going to be okay. All you have to do is learn from them and move on. I also want them to remember not to live so stressed and anxious about things. Try to enjoy every moment as it happens.