Senior Column: Mac Newman

I greeted only two familiar faces when I walked into Room 521 as an incoming staff writer. After, my eyes averted to then-junior Ellis Nepstad perched like a bird atop a cabinet full of newspapers. With then-juniors Tommy Sherk and Davis Finke standing under laughing and helping him down to start announcements, I knew I was in the right room.

The self-dubbed “Harbie Boys” welcomed me and the few other male freshmen joining staff with open arms, old traditions and new group chats. The bond and friendships that came with the exclusive group added a whole new reason to spend my high school career in the J-room.

But when the real work started and I published my first print story, an NFL recap, it received its due criticism from Tate. Then I was thrown back into another online cycle, making it seem like the publication was one never-ending circle of stress. I was starting to question my place on The Harbinger.

Luckily, I was accepted into the “Brobinger” Facebook group, full of inside jokes and reminders to write the fake story ideas about birds infesting East. As well as being included in deadline basketball games, I knew the stress was worth spending high school with this group.  

As my second year ensued, along with two memorable “Harbie Day” parties, a slightly annoying GroupMe titled “Harbie Boys 2k16,” and deadline Wednesdays becoming less and less awkward, I felt my place as a Har-bro was solidified.

The senior Harbie Boys led me to a new path in life. Staff leaders like Tommy Sherk and Michael Kraske helped me discover I want to pursue aspects of journalism in college and in life. Tate, who some would call the “Harbie Man” (just me), built the writer I am now by always critiquing my stories. I want to thank not only the Boys but all of staff who helped metamorphisize me from my shy freshman caterpillar self into a Harbie butterfly.

Just as Ellis (AKA Ad Ad) metaphorically died (got kicked from staff) and was reborn, the Harbie Boys evolve. As veteran Boys left for college, I (and others) took their place, recruiting more Boys to take our place. The Harbie Boy life cycle is fragile, though, if you are reading this and are considering joining the Harbinger, do it – and continue the Harbie Boys legacy.

It’s worth it.