In eighth grade, all I wanted was a byline.

Not an award. Not a leadership title. Just to see my name in print — to write something that mattered enough to be published.

Scrolling through the Sunny Hills website, I found “Journalism” under the English department. I clicked on a PDF of the newspaper, and that was it. I was hooked. It seemed like such a simple, attainable goal — a small acknowledgement of my writing and a chance to be part of something bigger in the community.

At the time, I didn’t even know I had to take Journalism 1 to join the staff. But I emailed Accolade adviser Tommy Li anyway, hoping he’d point me in the right direction. Thankfully, he did.

I still remember the thrill of seeing my first story published during my freshman year. And the validation I felt after nervously interviewing students and teachers, revising my draft and finally spotting my name both in print and online. That tiny byline felt monumental.

Since then, The Accolade has shaped nearly every part of my high school experience. As I grew into roles as copy editor sophomore year, business manager and Spotlight editor the year after and eventually web editor-in-chief as a senior, those bylines became less about me and more about what they represented.

Somewhere along the way, that initial dream evolved. I found myself pushing past what I thought I could do — helping launch our Korean-language section, redesigning the website, setting up our beat system and mentoring younger staffers who reminded me of where I started.

And then, it happened. The National Scholastic Press Association named us as an Online Pacemaker Finalist for the first time in our program’s history. 

I didn’t learn about it right away; I was in a sixth period math class when Li posted the news on Slack. But when I finally checked my notifications, I saw his message: “You did it!” and a screenshot of the Facebook announcement.

I stared at it for a second, stunned because I didn’t expect it. In that moment, everything felt worth it when I celebrated with my web managing editor, Justin Pak. Every late-night update for consistent posting, every layout fix, every story edit. That was the moment we’d worked for.

Of course, awards like the School Newspapers Online Distinguished Site and Sweepstakes from write-offs were incredible honors. But what I’ll carry with me most are the everyday moments.

It’s surreal to think this chapter is ending. While I seek more opportunities and continue journalism in college, this will be my last byline for The Accolade. But more than anything, I’m grateful for all the opportunities I found, stemming from my unexpected discovery on the SH website in eighth grade.

I came in chasing a byline, yet I leave with so much more. And this, my final one, means the most.