Leyah Philip
At our freshman retreat, I wrote a letter to my senior year self that said: “I think Fourcast is my calling. Did that work out?” If only that eager-eyed freshman had known that the next three years of her life spent on the third floor of the LLARC would give her some of her best memories, she wouldn’t have doubted for a second that this was exactly where she was meant to be.
As I reflect on the 21 articles and over 40 interviews that I’ve been honored to produce as a part of the Fourcast, I realize that although I am sad to see this chapter of my life come to an end, I’m leaving it with newfound wisdom, friendships and confidence that I will carry with me for the rest of my life.
Unfortunately (or fortunately for the section editors), I can’t fit my entire journalism career on this page. But, to properly say goodbye, we have to start at the beginning in Intro to Journalism. While many of us think the highlight of that class was watching My Octopus Teacher, it was there that I developed my passion for journalism and learned what an editorial actually was—also that the Voice Memos app would prove very useful.
As a staff writer, my curiosity for storytelling only grew. What once felt like a humiliation ritual of sending repeated emails to upperclassmen, only to get ghosted, turned out to be preparation for the rest of my career and the foundation of my confidence. Later, “mastering” InDesign as a section editor (a word I use loosely, as there is always more to learn on InDesign) allowed me to grow into my role as a leader. However, none of the skills I have now would be possible without those who helped me along the way.
First, to my family, thank you for reading (and keeping) every issue.
To the 2025-2026 Fourcast staff, each of you challenges me to be a better leader, mentor and friend every single day. I’ll miss the overcrowded elevator rides up to the third floor, and I am so proud of you all. Keep the Fourcast strong and the Oxford Comma Counter low when I’m gone!
To the Fourcast seniors, it has been such a gift to grow alongside such a strong group of writers and young women.
To my mentors, Lizzy and Shreya, I couldn’t have asked for better role models along the way. You trained me to spot every widow and lead with integrity, two traits I hope to pass down to generations of EICs to come.
To Ms. Rodgers, I’ll miss all the Friday afternoons in the journalism room with no lights on. Thanks for staying after hours, encouraging me to push the boundaries on every story and always having our backs. And of course, for pancakes.
To Mary Bradley and Melinda, the two of you and the camera room have seen and heard it all this year. Y’all have been my constant source of laughter and support through all the ups and downs and are worth more Dallas Dollars than anyone at Gloria Shields could ever count.
And finally, I have to thank the person who quadruple checks every email I send, answers all my late-night FaceTimes (including the one while writing this) and is first to like my message on every GroupMe: my co-Editor-in-Chief, Lang Cooper. Words cannot express the gratitude I have for you, Lang. Since our first interview together freshman year, to spending hours in White Rock Coffee writing about Brainrot and now writing our last story together, I am so proud of us and how far we’ve come. Your dedication and passion are seen through everything you do. There is truly no one else that I would rather spend days picking fonts with, stare at the same InDesign page for hours with or get lost in a creepy office building on sales day with. You are legen…waitforit…dary, and I could not have done any of this without you by my side.
Lastly, to the Fourcast, a platform where, for the past three years, I have been able to express myself creatively and find a home. I am so grateful to have been a part of a publication that has allowed me to discover my voice, and I hope that in the many editions to come, it continues to do the same for others. So, the owner of computer #12, your workday playlist maker and your 2025-2026 Fourcast Editor-in-Chief, is signing off. I guess it was my calling after all.
Woohoo Fourcast!!
Leyah Philip
Lang Cooper
Walking by a stack of (sometimes) neatly folded newspapers in the rack in the hallway, colorful covers and headlines filled with alliteration may catch your eye. For those lucky enough to pick one up, you are opening the pages of not only numerous powerful articles but also the passionate work of 34 skilled journalists hoping to make an impact in our community. The Fourcast is home to a legacy of creativity, and I am beyond grateful to have been even a small part of its history.
Making my first journey up the treacherous stairs to LLARC room 305 for Intro to Journalism, I vowed to always take the elevator from then on and to fully embrace every new opportunity. I learned very quickly that procrastinating interviews was not an option and that Fourcast would be the place for me. I fell in love with storytelling; each person I interviewed had a unique perspective to share, and I had the opportunity to articulate their story to new audiences, gaining confidence in myself while doing so.
My first year of Fourcast was full of embracing the new: a new writing style, new ways to edit photos, new friendships. Each skill I learned taught me how to be a better journalist, and each friendship showed me what collaboration really looked like (with lots of laughter).
During my junior year, I learned the highs and lows of InDesign, how to edit articles and that there was not much I loved more than Saturday workdays with loud music and some of my favorite people.
This past year as print Editor-in-Chief has taught me life lessons I will keep with me forever. I learned problem solving skills, an intense attention to detail and how to truly be a leader. In my column, The Scoop with Coop, I got to celebrate the successes of just a few of the talented Upper Schoolers I see in the hallways daily. I’m immensely grateful for the lifechanging opportunity this year has been.
So, to end my final piece, I’d like to thank the following people.
Thank you to each reader who has tuned in every issue. You are who we write for.
Mom and Dad, my biggest cheerleaders, thank you for reading every article.
Fourcast seniors, from learning how to write a headline, to developing our InDesign skills, to leading the staff, we’ve done it. So grateful for each and every one of you.
Lizzy and Shreya, thank you for teaching me nearly everything I know. You are the epitome of great leaders, and it has been an honor to follow in your footsteps.
Ms. Rodgers, you push us to think outside the box and stay at school long after we should all be home, and for that, I’m so grateful (and for the secret candy stash at 6 PM in Fourcast on Friday nights).
Mary Bradley and Melinda, from Gloria Shields to late night story list discussions, we made the Fourcast happen each issue. Thank you for fresh ideas, solving problems and lots of laughs. It has been such a privilege to work with you this year.
Leyah, when I reflect on my favorite memories over the past three years, Fourcast with you is at the top. From writing our very first article together, to scouring the science building looking for a model brain, to checking each other’s InDesign spreads, to trying to find two cohesive shades of red, to running in the rain (shoeless) at 7 PM on Friday night after hours of pages, we’ve been through it all. When lines on a spread started to look crooked, you were always there to tell me they were in fact straight. Each early morning and late night in the Fourcast room with you was filled with laughter and memories I’ll cherish forever. Thank you for pushing me to be not only a better editor but also a better person. I couldn’t have done it without your reassurance and brilliant ideas.
To the 2025-2026 staff, everyone has grown tremendously this past year, and I am so proud of each of you. I’m forever cheering each of you on. My final words of advice:
- Everyone has a story to tell. And as journalists, it’s our job to find it. Get up, look around and search for the story.
- Adobe is your best friend. If you can dream it, you can make it on Adobe. Google ‘how to’ and create some magic.
- Have fun and be proud. Fourcast is our home on campus, and publishing the paper every issue wouldn’t be possible without each one of you – so own it!
To the future staff, enjoy every moment because it flies by. And to the next owner of computer #11, take good care of her.
For one final time
YAY FOURCAST,
Lang Cooper
