June 11, 2004 To the Publications Class of 2004… Most of you began your journey at Clark with the inaugural year of the Publications class. For the first two years of Clark Magnet High School’s existence, our school’s newspaper and yearbook struggled along as tutorial and after-school club activities. Things were different then. I remember. I remember peering in through the library windows, watching the yearbook being completed in just a few short months, with much guidance from your Herff-Jones representative Dave Smith. Students commandeered library computers to write photo captions. They huddled around tables, designing layouts in pencil. And they began some of the traditions you have continued, including Yearbook Rally Week and the harassment of local merchants for advertisements. The newspaper was completed in a similarly frenzied fashion. We didn’t sell ads that first year and instead relied upon the generosity of the PTSA to fund the newspaper’s printing costs. In both the 1998 and 1999 school years, the newspaper published three times. There was no such thing as a hard news story then, as any story written probably couldn’t be published for a month or so. I write all this to remind you what a good ride you’ve had here in your years at Clark. You’ve had a room to call your own; a slew of cameras, tape recorders, and sometimes-reliable computers (many of which you festooned with personal knick-knacks so as to say “this baby’s mine!”); a bevy of adults to help you along the way; and a school usually quite supportive of what you do. But all these things—the computers, the cameras, the green rollie chairs, and yes, even your teachers—would not have made any difference had not you all brought with you a desire to put all these resources to their best use possible. So many of you have been so creative, I can’t imagine how this class would look today without you. Kris, I never asked you to make a single movie, but after the first yearbook promotional video that consisted of some narration over video of our class working, you decided to create your own “Indiana Jones” film trilogy—one that spoofed movies of our time, spotlighted the acting talents of our students (former and current) and staff, and even promoted yearbook sales. Jeff, I never asked you to set up a photo studio in room 1331 to take professional quality still shots for the yearbook, but you did. You brought in your own equipment, enlisted the help of Mr. Saul, and even rented equipment when you needed to. Your vision helped transform the Clark yearbook into a groundbreaking book that students are proud to own. All of you who are graduating have added your own similar touch to this class, and Clark Publications will always feel your impact when you leave. Whether it is the new standard in column writing that Hannah set or Yoomin’s constant cajoling to “get ads,” your voices and work will be sorely missed next year. Sharisse, Vivian, Jessica, Bo, Yoomin, Kris, Janet, Silvana, Sarah, Mark, Hannah, Lilit, Iveta, Ngoc-Minh, Lorilee, Zeba, Jeff, Christine and Grace—I will miss you all and those continuing your work in our class will miss you. You’ve left your indelible mark here at Clark in ways large and small, and I know you will blaze a trail of great things wherever your futures lead you and wherever you lead all of our futures. -Mr. Davis