Journalism class was one of the top two most-positive experiences of my high school career. However, my three-year tenure in the class was an adventure I almost missed out on.

I didn’t take journalism my freshman year. During the summer of my sophomore year, my parents and I were working through my schedule and looking at all the possible classes I could take.

My mom gave me a choice: art or journalism. I chose journalism ? and never regretted it. The things I’ve learned, people I’ve met and experiences enjoyed through journalism will stay with me for the rest of my life.

Our adviser, Greg Stobbe, provided me with the best possible education in journalism and transformed my writing ability.

Not only did we receive top-notch instruction, we also made life-long memories on trips to Anaheim, Phoenix and New York. Together we spent the day at Disneyland, and ascended to the top of the Empire State Building. We also attended Broadway shows, ate at an outdoor western restaurant with a live band and attended numerous writing conventions.

One of my fondest memories in the class happened durning my junior year at the Fresno State spring journalism convention.

As the staff sports editor, I was signed up to compete in the advanced sports writing competition. However, Mr. Stobbe threw fellow junior and staffer Ryan Swain into the contest on a whim.

Later, at the awards ceremony, Ryan was presented with the 3rd place award for the contest. After that happened, I was nervous because I knew everyone expected me to beat him in the competition.

After they announced 2nd place (and it wasn’t me), I was very tense and was sitting upright in my seat next to Mr. Stobbe. Thankfully, however, they called my name for 1st place in the contest. I breathed a huge sigh of relief and went up to claim my award. But Mr. Stobbe and the other staff members and I will always remember this funny awards ceremony.

Journalism had its good times and its bad times. We had some very stressful days in class during the Online Pacemaker and Online Crown competitions. We also suffered disappointment in Phoenix my junior year after failing to get the job done for a Pacemaker.

I spent several late nights working on journalism hoping to help The Feather succeed. In the end, all of our hard work paid off. I could not ask for a better way to finish off my career with The Feather than winning a Pacemaker and a Crown during my senior year.

We have one of the most dedicated editors-in-chief in the nation in senior Suzanna Quiring, and the finest teacher journalism teacher in the nation in Mr. Stobbe. Junior Austin Ward also provided us with steady contribution from the senior editor position, while our staff writers were the best group that Fresno Christian has ever produced.

Thanks for a great year, guys, and best of luck in the future! Keep the legacy alive and never stop believing in yourselves.

Spencer will attend Biola University in the fall, planning to major in kinesiology and compete on the golf team.

For more senior reflections, read the May 24 column, Classroom experiences define editor-in-chief.