So much of what we do as a news organization is behind the scenes. It’s often a thankless job. We exercise the First Amendment every day in this room. The Hub is a public forum. I know most of you don’t know what this means or why it’s important. Being a public forum means the students run this publication–not the adviser and certainly not the administration. It’s a pretty massive responsibility.

What sets Mrs. Asher and her administrative team apart is their continual and thoughtful support of students’ First Amendment rights and this program’s freedom of press. Not only do they not interfere, they help us grow.

Mrs. Asher has been the biggest contributor to our Tagboard. No really. The board wouldn’t exist without her. #EHShub. Try it.

Her professional note cards bear our URL, promoting the Hub. And she was always reading our stories.

Even when we have published a few controversial pieces (for example Natalie Hinds column on gay marriage), she could have taken exception but she didn’t. She applauded the piece.

She always wanted to know what we were thinking. Always.

She let us be free to express ourselves and write about the issues we thought were important. She was even willing to suffer through the countless interviews from our staff, which could be very tedious at times.

Mrs. Asher was the one responsible for our popcorn machine. (Well she and Ryan Bircher’s never-ending determination.) Thanks to her, we are able to enjoy popcorn every Thursday, and I don’t know what can be much better than that.

She always had the student body’s best interest in mind. Whether she was standing in the hallways during every passing period, greeting students or making important behind-the-scenes decisions.

Mrs. Asher’s job was a thankless job. (We know a little about that feeling.)  She worked hard every day without much in return. But, that’s just the kind of person she was. She did it because she loved it. Because she loved us.

Mrs. Asher has left her mark on EHS. We are teenagers who aren’t afraid to express ourselves and feel responsible to do so.

Thanks for leading the way, Mrs. Asher. I will miss you. My staff will miss you.

Enjoy finally graduating from high school. 🙂