The 2008-09 school year may represent The Mash’s freshamn class, but this group of newsroom pioneers is full of seniors who must bid farewell. As our graduates say their goodbyes, our Mashers give them a proper send-off by predicting their futures.
Robert Garcia
Chicago Ag
College: University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
Major: News/editorial journalism
Most likely to … beat Ann Coulter in a battle of wits … be a critic
Goodbye to all the friends I shared laughs with. Goodbye to my teachers, you guys never get enough credit. Goodbye terrible cafeteria food, I never found the mystery meat’s name. Goodbye, Chicago Ag, keep on plowin’.
Goodbye, Mashers, the inaugural class is always the best. Good night, my Mash staff, you always made the work fun. Goodbye, Mash, and the stories that will never be. Batman, too, you died and no one really cared. Farewell, good night, goodbye.
Hello, college. Hello, Urbana, and your 8 feet of snow. Hello, Champaign. Hello, monumental debt.
Zahra Lalani
Northside
College: Illinois Wesleyan University Major: Economics and finance
Most likely to … own a multinational by 2012 … be a hostage negotiator … run a global service organization
The past few years have not only been pivotal because of the good times I’ve shared with friends, but also because of the teachers who cared. There are few people who will act selflessly for the benefit of others — among them are several Northside teachers whom I will always remember for their dedication to students.
Michael Kenny
Whitney Young
College: Northwestern University Major: Political science
Most likely to … become a men’s magazine model … be a good boyfriend
It’s so weird to move on from WY. To my friends, I love you guys so much. To the school and the teachers, thank you for all you’ve given me. It’s been a great first year with TheMash. I’m insanely jealous of the younger people who will be around for a few more years. Thank you to the editors for a fun year, and thanks to all the friends I made.
Vasiliki Mitrakos
Northside
College: Northwestern University Major: International affairs, pre-law and biology
Most likely to … win a spelling bee … be best dressed
I would like to congratulate Northside’s journalism class, and say farewell to the seniors. Oh, and of course, a very heartfelt thank you to Phil and Erinn for all the funny, serious and ridiculous moments at Tribune Tower.
Freddy Lopez
Kelvyn Park
College: DeVry University
Major: Graphic/Web design
Most likely to … befriend you … try speed dating
I won’t forget all the wild times we had at school. To TheMash, I won’t forget all our Group A meetings, all the workshops, all the beautiful girls and cool guys. Farewell.
Morgan Thomas
Chicago Ag
College: Columbia College Major: Broadcast journalism
Most likely to … be a Glamour magazine cover model
I shed a tear for the school that made me who I am, for all the friends who made every day a good day. I shed a tear for never having to do another hour of detention.
Here is where I break down. I shed many tears for TheMash and the Mashers. I met a lot of wonderful people who I will never forget.
This isn’t goodbye, it’s see you later.
Julia Luo
Thomas Kelly
College: University of Wisconsin-Madison
Major: Public relations
Most likely to … be fashionably late
Thank you to all my teachers/administrators, and all the great people and friends I got to know over the years. The experience has made me who I am today. To my graduating Mashers: Keep on writing. In 10 years, we’ll have a Mash reunion.
Emanuel Vinson
Morgan Park
College: Northern Illinois UniversityMajor: Political science
Most likely to … have his face on a mainstream publication … be romantic
I’ve taken big steps in high school. TheMash was definitely one of those. Overall, senior year has been a challenge, but I love it this way. The chaos pays off. The tumult of winter seems right over my shoulder and at once miles away. I’m ready to thrive in sunlight and friendship before embarking on the even more ambitious adventure of college.
Erik Zuniga
Curie
College: Sophia University
Major: Computer science
Most likely to … travel the world … become a bowling champion
So long, friends. Adios, Chicago, I’ll miss your irregular weather and jumbo-sized sausage pizza. Hi there, Tokyo, please treat me with care. So long, tacos — I’ll miss your delicious greasiness. Hello there, sushi. So long, Curie teachers, you know who you are. Hello, new professors, advocate something new and intriguing.
Elizabeth Mucha
Whitney Young
College: University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
Major: Undecided
Most likely to … tell you exactly what is on her mind … starve in a deli
To my friends: You’ve all been wonderful and ridiculously fun. To my school and teachers: Thank you for the dedication, the kindness and the opportunity. There are so many things that I’ll miss, from Gordy, the security guard who says hello every morning, to the science hallway that always seems to smell of grapes. And finally, to TheMash: It’s been a wonderful experience, and I’ve learned so much.
Marisa Carroll
Walter Payton
College: Fordham University Major: Urban/ethnic studies
Most likely to … have her own talk show … write for the New York Times
People say graduation represents one door opening and one door closing.
To me, graduation is like the revolving door at Water Tower Place. The door does not quietly open, but whooshes ’round, spinning so it’s difficult not to get sucked in, shaken up and wind up a little dizzy. >>CONTINUED
As we spin wildly into what’s next, I need a moment to say goodbye to TheMash. Making friends, scoring interviews, meeting Talib — all unforgettable experiences. Bye, Mashers. Think of me on the other side of this revolving door.
Renata Mietus
John Hancock
College: Roosevelt University. Major: Journalism or political science
Most likely to … win best smile.
As much as I’m going to miss high school, I’m ready to move to the next chapter (I hear it’s better anyway.) I had an awesome experience working with TheMash and I’m not ready to leave, but I have no other choice, so … goodbye.
Kelia G. Malone
Dyett
College: Tuskegee University. Major: political science
Most likely to … go pro… become a successful lawyer.
Senior year has been great, and working for TheMash has been amazing. I have grown as a writer and a person. Goodbye, fellow Mashers and staff, I appreciate all of you. And to the readers, you are the backbone of this paper and how great it will become.
Leo Gilbert
Whitney Young
College: New York University. Major: Film
Most likely to … win an Oscar.
Sherie Ajayi
Hubbard
College: knox college. Major: law/journalism
Most likely to … be a great friend.
I will really miss high school. I’ll miss the teachers, the opportunities and most of all, the students. Also, I really appreciate that TheMash brought CPS students together. It showed that no matter what school or neighborhood you’re from, your voice matters and can be heard. The time has come where I must say farewell, so goodbye high school and hello college!
Yannan Kang
Lincoln Park
College: University of North Carolina. Major: Undecided
Latrice Coleman
Senn
College: Harold Washington College. Major: Psychology
Most likely to … become a beloved teacher.
Goodbye to my favorite teachers. And my best friends and others. To TheMash, I’m going to miss you guys. Class of ’09 is the best.
Ana Saldana
Big picture
College: ??. Major:
Sergio Garcia
Foreman
College: DePaul University. Major: Biology
Most likely to … become America’s most talented teenager.
I’d like to say goodbye that provocative, sensational and awkward mystery called high school. Thank you, dear friend, for all the good times. Goodbye to the corroded lockers, the graffiti-infested bathrooms, the beautiful music played by the instrumental symphonies. But most of all, goodbye to the most challenging, rewarding, depressing and exciting chapter of my life.
To TheMash, thank you for the opportunity to publish my words. And the cupcakes, let’s not forget the cupcakes. Thank you for the experience. Show the world that newspapers are not dead.
Eric Short
Whitney Young
College: University of Missouri. Major: Journalism
Most likely to … become a model for Abercrombie… uncover the century’s biggest baseball scandal.
Lee Sova-Claypool
Walter Payton
Most likely to … advocate the removal of hyphenated last names.
Rebekah Ward
Northside
College: Northwestern University. Major: Political science
Most likely to … dress as Angelina Jolie for Halloween.
Goodbye high school. You taught me a lot and I hope to remain as idealistic and optimistic as you made me.
