Lily Mantel: Changing expectations set for her by joining The Harbinger

My future was always laid out for me. I grew up attending St. Ann’s — where my siblings and dad both also attended — it was the natural path for me to attend St. Teresa’s Academy, just like my sister and most of my classmates would. When I went to shadow her, I assumed everything would click into place. It had to. 

But it didn’t. 

I hated the uniforms, the Catholic environment, and the idea of an all-girls school. It wasn’t until I shadowed East — where my brother had transferred for junior year— that it finally clicked for me. 

I loved the idea of being able to wear whatever I wanted to school for the first time ever, going to football games, and all the class options. 

While at East, my older brother joined The Harbinger as Assistant Video Editor to fill his already-busy schedule even more. Every other Wednesday, I heard about their deadline dinners, the newest project he was working on, what happened in his recent interview, or the new bonds he’d formed with the other staffers. It all intrigued me — I decided to go to East for Harbinger. 

The moment I joined staff, my schedule lost the flexibility I’d grown used to in my underclassman years. Shooting three events for print and online stories, editing, creating, and posting galleries every week took priority over math grades and spending time with friends. As much work as Harbinger is, it never felt like it  — I enjoyed every minute. Tate never took it easy on me, and always pushed me to be better. So I did. 

I went from watching football games with friends and cheering in the student section to laying on my stomach on the sidelines, catching the perfect shot of kickoff. Some people may look at that as missing out on the high school experience, but this made my high school experience what it was. 

Watching my classmates and friends as they chanted together in the student section from the sidelines, Saturdays turned from friends to f-stops shooting events like swim meets —capturing their reactions as they qualified for state. I’ve been at the center of the action, capturing athletes’ celebrations, students’ lives, and some photo awards along the way. 

The Harbinger and East in general brought me some of the greatest memories, friends, and experiences. I’ve always said I’m ready to graduate and leave East, but I couldn’t be more grateful for everything this staff and school brought me. Harbinger taught me the time management and communications skills I need to enter the real world. 

Taking the risk of paving my own trail, going to East — and against the catholic life I was born into — and joining staff are the best decisions I’ve made. So thank you Harbinger, you brought me to a foreign place and quickly made it home. You showed me the high school experience that I was looking for and I’m forever grateful.