(June 14, 2002) Dear Graduates of Clark Publications, I remember a card that Marine gave me the first year of the publications class (2000-2001). This class is not really like a class, she wrote, it’s a family. What a family you’ve been! Marnette , you took on the task of editing the entire news section of the paper and still managed to write great stories such as the Mr. West gleaning field trip piece. I will miss your positive can-do spirit, Marnette. Noor , I have many images of you, not all of which are related to staring into a screen full of PageMaker. Two of the more memorable images: singing songs from Disney musicals, rolling through the room on the green rolly chairs. You added much mirth to the publications family, Noor. Phil , you are a true movie connoisseur. And while I may not have seen all of the movies you wrote about (though O Brother , I must say, was truly an exceptional film), I always took great delight in reading your reviews. For a brief moment in my job as the wielder of the mighty green pen, I could put my marker aside and just enjoy your prose. No one can fill your seat in the balcony, Phil. Linda , you took on the helm of the newspaper after a two-year hiatus from editor work. Your cajoling, “lying” and gentle urgings didn’t always result in deadlines being met, but ultimately your guidance always ensured a high-quality newspaper that even generated heated discussion among students. Keep checking off those great books and movies from your lists, Linda. Someday, you’ll add your name to the roster of literary greats, I know. Sarang and Starbucks. I see your face brighten at the prospect of a venti iced latte mocha double. Coffee is almost as exciting as a good page layout in Adobe PageMaker, eh? Thank you for all of your work to make two outstanding yearbooks in a row. Joanne , you took on a new class as a senior. Working in a real newsroom will never be as fun as publications in 1331, you know, but I’m glad you chose to spend your final year at Clark helping make a great yearbook. Martin the pirate, Indiana Jones, the Godfather. So many Martins to choose from! Remember first, though, that there was Martinizm. Your compass and pen symbol on the white board in humanities class has been up for there for all to see for nearly two years now. Your legacy will stay on, Martin. I guess the lounge has officially closed now. Stephanie, I don’t think there was a day when you didn’t come into class with some new dazzling color. You coordinated a massive photo effort for the yearbook. Thank you for all that you did. Jennifer , you are the one who stayed the course through the entire four years. You began as a freshman as a writer for the Chronicle and took on the responsibilities as a publications class member these past couple years. You’ve probably written more stories for the school paper than anyone at this school. That’s a lot of interviews, a lot of typing and a lot of deadlines. Thank you for your dedication, Jenny. Joyce , you are the sea of calm in the chaos of publications. Cameras were broken, batteries went uncharged, film would somehow go unexposed, photo assignment board notices would be disregarded. Still, you always made sure the photos in the newspaper looked the best they could be and then we watched them get mangled in the printing process. I can’t count the number of times you saved us with your PhotoShop skills. You are irreplaceable, Joyce. Martha , you have been the lifeblood of yearbook. Without your guidance and cajoling, I can’t imagine the yearbook coming to fruition. Thank you for the hundreds of hours you’ve spent making the yearbook something we can all be proud of. Marine , you’ve contributed so many well-written stories and great ideas for the newspaper these past couple years. But more than that, you gave so much of yourself to make Clark and this class a great place to be. Thank you for always helping keep that family feel in the publications class. Others may bake cakes and make birthday banners next year, but no one can replace the caring spirit you brought to his class. And to those publications seniors—Armineh, Anna B., Katherine, Laila, Anna K., Arineh, Sam, Harma, Stella, Karlet, Karen, Sarkis, Elaine, Lisa and Ah Young—who left the family a bit early, thank you all for your work in making the first year of publications so memorable too. You helped lay the foundation for the class that creates on paper the memories you’ve all shared. And now you all must feed yourselves (no more cookie tubs from Trader Joe’s!), find another place to hang out between 9:30-9:45 a.m. and find your way in the bigger world. I don’t worry in the least, though. You’re an amazing group of young people. I was lucky to have been a part of the first two years of the publications family. – Mr. Davis