There are some journeys that do not begin with a title, a role, or even a plan. They begin with a spark. For me, that spark was writing. In the middle of eighth grade, during a time when the world felt paused and school existed through a screen, I found my voice in the Blue and Grey Gazette. I covered student projects, wrote inspirational stories, and discovered the power of using words to inform and inspire.
That passion carried over into high school. Since the first article I ever wrote my freshman year, I knew that Echo Lites was more than just a school newspaper. It was a collection of student voices, creativity, and community. Over the last four years, I have had the opportunity to grow up with it, from novice writer to Editor in Chief. Through every deadline, draft, and published piece, this newspaper showed me what it means to lead with passion and purpose.
Some of my favorite high school memories were spent behind the screen. Whether it was editing drafts late at night, refreshing the site to see a new post go live, or knowing something we posted had sparked change or thought in our community, Echo Lites was never just about content. It was regarding capturing the life of students and making it meaningful. I will always be thankful for the company, creativity, and freedom to write about what was most important to us.
Beyond the newsroom, I took on high-level leadership across more than fifteen organizations. I served as President of the Sayreville DECA chapter with over 200 members, Co-Founder and President of Sayreville’s TSA chapter, led borough-wide efforts through the Human Relations Commission, and founded The Small Business Supporter Initiative, a nationally recognized nonprofit driving real-world impact. I had the honor of representing my school and community at international conferences, proposing district-wide curriculum reforms, and mentoring peers through service and innovation. With over 4,000 volunteer hours dedicated to meaningful causes, I worked to create long-lasting change wherever I could. Still, Echo Lites reminded me to stay grounded. It taught me that even the most significant accomplishments begin with a single idea and the courage to write it.
To Ms. Chuntz, thank you for believing in me, for teaching me, and for letting me evolve into this role. And to each of the writers, editors, and readers who gave this site life: thank you. You believed in me with your words and created something together that truly does have meaning. Because of you, the future of Echo Lites shines bright.
Today, I have come to understand that I am not leaving this story behind. What was understood, what was heard, will be with me forever. Echo Lites made me into the person I am today, and I will never be capable of giving back the appreciation and pride that I have for them.
With gratitude,
Rishi Shah
