Big-Box Retailers, Boys Hockey 09-10, Bush’s Quagmire, Did the Surge Work?, Eating Healthy, Ethanol, Gay Rights, Global Warming, Green Goes Mainstream, Health Care, Iraq War, Immigration, McCain’s Flaws, Beauty of Nature, and No Christmas Cheer Due to Economy are the titles of articles I have written through N in the alphabet. Four years of writing for Generation W. Four years of the front page, community page, sports page, technology page, entertainment page, and of course my favorite, the editorial page. Four years of writing more than school demands. Four years of growing and learning. My four years at Generation W are coming to a close. The road is coming to an end. But as I started this article I realized this road is just a ramp to the highway I am about to merge onto. Generation W has been my driver’s ed class, my driver’s permit, and my license test. It has prepared me for the highway that is home to all the other writers out of high school. Gen W gave me the tools to drive at 70mph on the interstate of writing, journalism, and politics in the real world.

Before I began this article I read through some of the work I did in the past four years and was amazed with how much I knew on past subjects. When I read my article about the Recession I realized I had forgotten the details that caused our downward spiral. I still knew the basics, but the specifics were lost somewhere along the road in the past two years. The same happened with the details of the Surge and what happened to the Utah Miners. But when I skimmed through those articles I recognized how much I learned from each one. Hours researching and writing all went into one page of work; normally around five-hundred words describing a situation I felt needed attention. The final draft was normally direct and, I have now realized, very pointedly opinionated. My stance on issues, between 9th-11th grades, was heavily favored to the left. Because they were editorials they were suppose to be what I believed; but wow I was opinionated. I think the opportunity to write about all of these controversial topics has given me a way to become confident in what I believe and secure in the face of opposition. I still have most of the same views and am solid in my beliefs, but I have learned to be less obstinate and headstrong. I find listening, respecting, and considering other’s views much easier now.

Writing for Generation W has not only given me knowledge, drive, and security in my opinion, but it has given me an opportunity to write! Yes I write papers for classes, but the assignment is normally structured and restrained. With an editorial, I have freedom to write what I want and how I want; which, I think, is how one becomes a better writer. This fall when I sat down to write my Common Application Essay for college admission the task, although daunting, was fun for me. I had already written so many open subject articles that the essay was much less overwhelming for me than it was for many of my classmates.

As I start this conclusion I find myself a little sad, clicking on my turn signal to merge onto the busy highway, but with this sorrow is gratitude. Now I can pull into the fast lane and feel comfortable with the transition. Next year when I am writing for the Wesleyan Argus (Wesleyan University’s newspaper) I can look back and be grateful for what Generation W has given me. For the opportunities, the knowledge, the enjoyment, and the memories; I thank you, Generation W.