by Katya Hawe
The writers of Northern High School are “always the writer but never written about.” The students behind the articles and stories you read are used to watching everyone else take the spotlight while they work behind the scenes. But their passion runs deeper than deadlines and drafts; it is a talent built on inspiration, creativity, and the desire to be heard. Between Sci-Fi, news, plays, and poetry, each writer has a unique way they express themselves and display their talents.
For many students, the appeal of writing is not about grades or success, it is about finding a place to put thoughts that do not seem to fit anywhere else. Senior Alex Gallagher, writer of the Patriot Press, described it as internal stress that only words can relieve. “Writing gives me more of an outlet so I can actually have a way to process my emotions outside of just going through it,” they said. Writing allows them to organize their thoughts on paper, turning any emotion into something clearer. It is a process that is quieter than talking, but far more authentic and genuine.
Alex is not alone. Among the writers of Northern High School, emotional expression is a common theme—whether it is through journalism or creative stories. For them, writing becomes this place where the noise of school life softens, and the world slows. Senior Boris Nusinzon, chief editor of the Patriot Press, sees writing as a form of legacy, a way to create meaning that lasts longer than just a school year. “What inspires me to write is just this desire to express myself, to put a message out there,” he explained. When he writes fiction, it is because a story has taken root in his mind. “There’s a story in my head that I want to tell… I want to produce something that will last.” His nonfiction or journalistic work, though, is fueled by curiosity and responsibility. Reporting gives him the chance to capture moments that matter. “I want to report on what is going on… It all comes down to the fact that I want to express myself through language.”
But even the most passionate writers hit walls. For many students, the challenge is not a lack of ideas—it is a lack of time, energy, or emotional effort. Senior Isabella Uribe, a student in Creative Writing, said her writing slumps often come from the weight of everything happening around her. “Probably schoolwork, things going on, band. It just takes my attention off of other things if I don’t have enough time to write,” she explained. Across the board, students say heavy workloads, nonstop schedules, and stress leave them feeling drained before they can even think of what to write. Writing may be their outlet, but when life piles up, even that outlet can feel like it is too much.
Despite setbacks, student writers have found their own ways to push through slumps and keep growing. Many turn to each other for motivation, relying on collaboration to spark innovative ideas. Another student in Creative Writing, Junior Lily Glista, said, “I always like it when we do peer feedback, someone else can read it and give me feedback,” a feeling agreed upon by others who find that different people can help inspire new ideas. Some students meet up with friends to brainstorm or draft stories together, while others write freely just to get words flowing again. Writers say that practice and feedback are what pull them back in: the reminder that improvement comes not from perfection, but from sharing work
and returning even when it is difficult.
The writers of Northern High School are more than the articles they produce or the stories they craft. They are a community of creators, learners, and thinkers. Through slumps, deadlines, and self-doubt, they keep returning to the page, driven by curiosity, expression, and the simple power of words. They may often go unseen, but their dedication shapes the voices of their peers and leaves a lasting mark on the school and on themselves.