Happy Thanksgiving!

During this time of thanksgiving, we wanted to take a moment to thank the ones who make clay possible—our wonderful staff who work hard to provide quality content for the TPS community.

Columnists: Thank you for the hard work you put into crafting your articles every month. We hope these notes from your editors reflect just how thankful we are for your work!

Anise Kim (Books): I’ve so enjoyed having you as a columnist, and I’m always comforted to know that there’s someone in our section with years of clay experience under her belt. Your writing is vivid and engaging—you have such a knack for summarizing a book’s plot and personality concisely, leaving enough intrigue to get readers hooked without revealing too much of the story.

Jericho Church (Cooking/Baking): I love editing your articles, because they combine two of my favorite things—food and culture (and by extension, history!). Additionally, your writing carries a wonderful flow! I’ve been blessed to have you as a columnist this year, and I’m looking forward to all the delicious recipes you’ll procure in the coming months.

Mia Holmgren (Music): The music column is close to my heart—and I was so excited when I found out that a fellow cellist would be heading it this year! Your love for music shines through your writing, and I appreciate how you’ve consistently stayed on top of deadlines. Having you as one of my columnists has been delightful.

Anna Stone (Poet): Thank you for the hard work you put into your articles each month! I can tell that you pour your heart into your poems, and they never fail to bring a smile to my face when I read them. Your explanation of what they mean to you adds so much as well. I enjoy working with you very much, and I look forward to the remaining months we have.

Sarah Weindelmayer (Film): Thank you for your effort in writing good-quality articles each month! Your thoughtful analysis of films and actors has brought a unique perspective to clay this year, and I love how vibrant your writing is—it’s truly delightful to read. I have very much enjoyed working with you, and I look forward to continuing to do so this school year.

Hope Hoskins (Poetry): Thank you for your continued work in maintaining your poetry column this year! You provide such interesting insights into the poems and how they can connect to our lives, and you’ve caused me to see even the poems I’m familiar with in new ways. I love working with you, and I look forward to the rest of the time we have together.

Hadley Green (History of Math): Thank you for the hard work you’ve put into each of your articles this year! Your explanation of math concepts and the history behind how they developed has been eye-opening for both me and the readers of clay. I appreciate your ability to present them in a clear, cohesive manner, as well as your unique diction that gives your articles a polished touch. I look forward to working with you further this year.

Josiah Long (Video Games): Thank you for the effort you’ve put into your articles this year! You do a great job of not only explaining the gameplay of each video game you select, but also detailing why they are unique and worth playing. I appreciate your thoughtful insights into the inner mechanics of each game and how their features contribute to the overall experience of playing. I look forward to continuing to work with you this year.

Nicole Sua (Bible Spotlight): You always surprise me with the amount of passion in your articles (not to mention the amount of Scripture references). They’re always encouraging to read, and it’s been great to work with you and watch you improve. I know you put in a lot of work especially in between swamps of work and life—keep it up!

Emma Chung (Christian Novella): It is always a new experience seeing where you take things in your stories. The depth you create in characters’ thoughts and words is striking, and I personally appreciate the symbolism you use. It’s clear that you put a lot of effort into developing your writing, despite being busy; keep up the good work!

Samuel Ng (Microbiology): I have really enjoyed having you as a columnist so far this year! I have appreciated your excellent insight into the complex biological topics you write about. I have also enjoyed learning about topics that I am unfamiliar with, and which you are very skilled at breaking down. I’m looking forward to continuing to read and edit your future articles!

Natalie Mulford (International News): I have really enjoyed having you as a columnist so far this year! I have especially appreciated how you weigh both the emotional and societal impacts of the events in your articles, empathizing with the people affected in conflicts or disasters. I’m looking forward to continuing to read and edit your future articles!

Benjamin Green (International Correspondence): I have really enjoyed having you as a columnist so far this year! Your precision and care in your writing makes your articles very easy to edit. I have also appreciated your analysis into the complex international issues that you write about, particularly with how you factor in the historical and cultural background of certain events. I’m looking forward to continuing to read and edit your future articles!

Mercy Wideman (Girls’ Spotlight): You are so creative and fun. You write in such a way that trademarks your work as yours, which is something authors strive to do. Yet, it comes seemingly natural to you. Your articles always hook readers in, and I am glad that I got the chance to work with you. Keep up the great work, and I hope you’ll keep working at clay for years to come!

Declan Miles (Guys’ Spotlight): For your first year ever at clay, you are rocking it! Every article is on time, and I can tell you love to do this. It shows that this isn’t just another thing to do, but a pleasure to craft your articles. I hope that you will return to clay in the future.

Cora Roberts (Story Spotlight): Your articles always pack such a punch! Your diction blows me away and makes your articles pop. It has been a great pleasure to get to read your articles before they are published. I have loved every article, and I cannot wait to read the rest! You have such a special way of storytelling.

Eliana Cetola (Teacher Spotlight): I have loved working with you! You capture the balance of being informative but also fun wonderfully. Sometimes while editing, I get so engrossed in your article that I forget I’m editing. You come up with intriguing questions that readers love and crave more of! It’s a pleasure to be your editor.

Christi Liu (Alumnus Spotlight): You are such a trooper and never give up! You have worked so hard on each of your articles, and it shows. Through adversity, you never quit, but instead you made even better articles! Keep powering through. Your indomitable spirit is something to be admired and exemplified. Thank you for all your work and grit.

Editors: The unsung heroes working behind the scenes to make it all happen, thank you for the care you put into editing your columnists’ articles. You have all been excellent with communicating with us and making our job all the easier!

Readers: Thank you for returning every week to see what we have to share with you. We hope clay provides informative, engaging, and enjoyable content. It is truly an honor to serve you!

Happy Thanksgiving!

Cara Pisani and Isabel Rogers
2023-2024 Senior Editors

Photo Credit: Unsplash