Notes from the adviser: The Milestone was led by seniors Natalie Jones, Katie Noble, and Ava Wille for the 2024-2025 academic year. In the tradition of The Milestone, the editor writes the final story as a sign-off letter to close the year of the official student online newspaper of McNicholas High School.
Hey Rocket High!
Although this was my first and only year with the Milestone, it has been a memorable one. This year has gone by fast, and I am so thankful to all who participated in my articles. Being a part of this staff is a memory I will cherish forever.
To the readers, thank you for reading the stories each week! I loved hearing feedback from readers and being a voice for the school. Thank you for recognizing the time and effort we put into each article and continuing to support the Milestone.
To the Milestone staff, thank you all for the best A bell class. I loved starting my morning with all of you. Whether a stressful deadline day, or a Dunkin party, I always enjoyed being in class. Each and every one of you is amazing and I wish you all the best of luck with the rest of high school.
Finally, to Mrs. Noble, thank you so much for everything you have done for me this year. You never fail to see the best in me and push me to work my hardest. You are one of the strongest women I know, and I am so thankful to have you as a role model. I will forever miss the way you say the pledge each morning and all your different Spotify playlists. I have loved every minute of journalism and AP Lang with you. Thank you for being amazing!
Enjoy your summer, Rockets! Much love!
Natalie Jones
Hey Rockets!!
Sadly, there will be no more digging through your backpacks. No more begging for all of you to answer my Microsoft forms. No more running towards you in the hallways with a camera and interviewing you. Being part of the staff these past 2 years has truly been a surreal experience. I have made so many memories and truly found my passion for journalism. Being on staff, and especially being an editor was not something I had ever dreamed of doing when I first started at McNick. The time has truly flown by, and I am so grateful for the memories I have made, experiences I’ve had, and the support of all of you.
To the readers, thank you for allowing me to be creative and lightly coerce you into being interviewed. Thank you for your constant support each week and smashing the like button on our stories. Your support truly means the world.
To the Milestone Staff, thank you for being my best friends during A bell. I understand it’s an early bell, but that’s nothing a little Descendants sing-along can’t fix. Your creativity and work ethic will take you far and I know you will be successful wherever life takes you. Thank you for being so hardworking and patient during this past year and truly taking every step you could to enhance your writing. Hopefully next year, these articles will get done sooner, and there will be breakfast every single week because every Monday will go smoothly.
Finally, to Ms. Thomas and my mom (Mrs. Noble), thank you for your constant support and patience when I do not turn in my articles until 10:30 the night before they are published. I will miss seeing Coy Wire every day and will especially miss the love that Mrs. Wheeler has for Mr. Wire. Thank you for your support when I was figuring out my decision to major in journalism and offering every single resource you knew available to help a girl out.
Peace and Love,
Katie Noble
What’s up Rockets!
No this isn’t a Milestone Monday being sent out; this is my final story after being on the journalism staff for four years. Time has flown by, but I made the most of it. My time with the journalism staff the past four years at McNick has been amazing; My freshman year class with Mrs. Noble as her only student, to my sophomore and junior year with Ms. Thomas, finishing out a full circle moment with Mrs. Noble once again my senior year. Becoming the editor-in-chief of the Milestone, my junior year was an honor and will always be one of my favorite memories from McNick. I never expected it, but I will always remember how much fun I had being the EIC.
To the readers, thank you for always reading the Milestone stories. The journalism staff puts countless hours into these stories.
Before and after school interviews, no reply to emails, no answers on forms sent out. These students put in so much work, and we are so thankful for all the readerships, please continue the tradition, and help the Milestone writers out by participating!
To the Milestone staff, thank you for all your hard work. You have pushed through so many weird scheduled days and awkward classes. All the students that I got to work with over the years thank you. I want to thank Whitley Sway especially; You have been my sidekick in journalism for three years now and I could have never asked for someone better. We’ve gone outside of McNick many times just for a story and always have been side by side in class. You made my journalism time one of the best and I am so glad I gained a best friend out of it. Through all the CNN 10 videos with Coy Wire to trying to get the deep scoop out of people, you have been by my side and I couldn’t thank you enough, Whit.
Finally, to Mrs. Noble and Ms. Thomas, thank you so much for everything you have done.
Mrs. Noble, being able to have you as a journalism teacher and English teacher three of my four years at McNick has been amazing. I adore the way you love The Crucible and The Great Gatsby and the way you teach it to us. I especially love the “Angieland” playlist!
Ms. Thomas, I had you as a journalism and English teacher also, but I got you as a history teacher one year. I’ll never forget how we would team up and edit together in one class and be ready for posting the next day.
Thank you both for showing me a new way to express myself. You guys pushed me through and made me get my feet wet, and I have loved every moment of journalism I’ve had with you guys. Thank you!
Have a great summer Rockets, much love to you all!
Ava Wille
The McNicholas Milestone 