The first issue of The Beacon comes out Friday, Sep. 26, and writers could not be more excited. Teased in a photo collage on Instagram, the issue appears to address the Benson Boone concert, the Olentangy Marching band, the phone ban and other hot topics of today. 

    This year will be The Beacon’s 53rd anniversary; it’s been in print since 1972. Within the time span, over 300 issues have been published, and it’s evolved from a small newspaper into a month-to-month tradition which students and staff alike cherish. The 11-person team which makes up The Beacon staff this year is hopeful for the September issue, as they’ve worked to ensure that the paper is of the best quality.

    “Per issue, I’d say I spend at least 6 or 7 hours [editing] (no pun intended). Writing my own stories and designing usually makes up at least a minimum of three hours and upwards, while an additional three or more are spent editing every story for first copy, second copy, and final copy,” Satvik Pochiraju, co-editor in chief, said.

   Because of their small size, The Beacon has become more than a class-they’ve become a community, a place where everyone brings out the best in each other. 

   “I love the blend of individuality and teamwork the Beacon demonstrates,” Subhiksha Sreeram, co-editor in chief, said.

   The Beacon hasn’t just given students a place they can call home-it has also inspired them to pursue further education in the subject, and taught them more about themselves.

   “These classes became a safe space and inspired my goals to complete higher education at Miami University, take steps in the direction of my career, and achieve my ultimate dream job: writing for the New York Times,” Caitlin O’Brien, a freshman at Miami University and previous editor-in-chief of the online Beacon, said. 

    O’Brien isn’t the only one for whom The Beacon has been formative. The leader of The Beacon for 19 years, the club is also dear to Jessica Roads, the adviser. 

    “What I love about the Beacon is that students have the freedom and the power to voice their opinion on things that matter. They can create change in their school and in their community, and they gain so much real-world experience doing journalism in high school,” Roads said.

    Roads’ passion for the Beacon is not unique. Sreeram has also dedicated a great deal of her time to the group and has watched The Beacon transform. 

    “I think one of the major growths I’ve seen is in design. I feel like before designs followed a standardized pattern, and were very rarely creative, but I see a lot of new staff this year who are willing to step outside the box,” Sreeram said.

    While the group has grown as a whole, individual members have also improved. Students who walked into Roads’ classroom as shy and unconfident writers have walked out stronger and with strengthened self-esteem.

    “Honestly, I think confidence is the biggest change I see throughout their years, just becoming more confident in who they are as a writer and not afraid to voice their opinion on things they’re passionate about,” Roads said.

    Overall, The Beacon has evolved from humble beginnings into a highly awarded magazine that has provided students with a platform to learn, grow and find a community. Stay tuned for the latest issue of it on Friday, Sep. 26.