Katie Cook: Harbinger was the best experience, but it almost didn't happen 

In October 2022, my Mom and I struck a deal: I had to join a club at SM East before I got a car. I thought about what I could join, but I was stuck. 

Then, two months later, I was sitting in the back of Lucy Stephens’ mom’s minivan when I told her about my deal. She immediately told me to join her on The Harbinger staff and even used her classic catchphrase, "It'll be easy!” 

So, when I got home, I sat down on my pink duvet and started snooping around. I scrolled through The Harbinger’s TikTok and Instagram, read their stories and looked through the position's packet. 

Then I typed up my application essay, put together my beginner portfolio and hit submit. 

I decided to apply as a Staff Photographer because I loved being creative with my digital camera and wanted to try something new.

Looking back, hitting submit on that application was the best decision I could’ve ever made, because even through the ups and downs, Harbinger is my home at SM East.

When I joined with the title of “new staffer” second semester of sophomore year, I was intent on advancing in my Harbinger position.

I wanted to be a Head Photo Editor senior year. 

I worked my entire junior year towards Assistant Photo Editor with the hopes of making it to head editor.

However, this dream didn’t come true for reasons I still don't quite understand. 

After I found out, I was truly crushed — something I’d worked towards for 182 days was gone, and at that point, quitting seemed like the most appealing option.

When I returned to class after finding out, I was divided. If I stayed on staff, that meant returning to my basic position at the bottom of the food chain that I held as an underclassman, while my fellow seniors, who had been on staff just as long as I, would be head editors — the top Harbinger predators. 

And, if I quit staff, that meant missing out on what’s now my favorite year on the publication. But I chose to stay.

And I can’t say how glad I did. The Harbinger has become my second family — a group of people I can always rely on.

Everyone in the J-room has different backgrounds, friend groups and activities, but when it comes to a Wednesday deadline night, we unite to work as one team. 

The people on staff have inspired me to push myself and try new things. They’ve edited my poor attempts at writing, helped me navigate deadlines and encouraged me when I was at my lowest to keep going. I realized that just because my photographer journey didn't turn out the way I wanted, my Harbinger journey didn't have to meet the same fate.
I've learned how to take criticism, how to design a page, how to write a story, how to interview people and most of all, how to persevere.