Dear Bullseye,
At first, I thought this class was not for me. My friend kept bringing up the option to join this class, and I kept saying, “I’m not a good writer”. Then she told me that I could be the social media manager, and that completely changed my perspective. I always thought that the West Boca Bullseye account was pretty cool. Being posted on it was one of the most exciting things that could happen to you freshman year. I had one issue though, there was just too much football. Yes, our team has gotten better over the years, and we should celebrate that, but the other curriculars matter at our school too. So I took this opportunity to change that. I went to almost every event that I possibly could to shine light on all students, and if I couldn’t make it, I would send a text to whoever ran the sports/clubs Instagram to ask if they had any pictures. This class helped me experience high school to a greater extent, and I did not once regret my decision. So, thank you, Sofia, for recommending it to me. Though I will miss high school, I am very happy to say that I ended it off with one of the best years by far.
With love, Katiana Talabert
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Dear Bullseye,
As I prepare to say goodbye to my high school career, I can’t help but feel a bit teary-eyed at the thought of not sitting in my fifth-period newspaper class. Brainstorming articles and filming playful Instagram reels have become staples in my school day routine, and each time I’ve found myself feeling energized by the school-wide impact of our work.
My brief time in this class has been nothing short of fulfilling. In just a year, the newspaper provided me with a place to laugh, create, and substantially increase my risk of popcorn addiction (no joke).
One of my close friends, Sofia Sierra, our incredible Co-Editor-in-Chief, encouraged me to join the newspaper, and it was one of the best decisions I’ve ever made. This class exposed me to a variety of diverse individuals who share my passion for writing and storytelling, while also having their own unique interests and backgrounds.
I’ve learned so much about myself, whether through my friendships or career path. I’ve completely reshaped my plans for the future, starting the class with an interest in medicine and graduating with an accepted major in Journalism at the University of Florida (crazy plot twist, I know). With the experience and knowledge I have gained, I feel confident that I will carry it all forward into the future.
The friendships and connections that I’ve formed through this class are ones that I will remember for the rest of my life, and I am beyond grateful for the support given to me by my classmates and teacher. From pretending to understand football so that I can interview players to prancing around the school to promote the newspaper, this year has been nothing but entertaining. I can’t wait to watch next year’s generation of passionate storytellers, and I KNOW that they will make us graduating seniors proud.
Love, Charlee Shon
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Dear Bullseye,
My high school career is coming to an end. It has been a journey of ups and downs, figuring out who I am and where I belong. Our school has several electives to choose from to help students figure out where they belong and help them get an idea of what they would like to do in the future. For me, I took ceramics. Ceramics allowed me to break from academics and explore my creativity. It was my favorite class of all time, and I was destroyed when I got my schedule in August and realized that ceramics was not a class anymore. I was distraught and didn’t know where to go, as I had a hole in my schedule and did not want to take a useless class that would waste my time. However, as I complained to my good friend Katiana, she convinced me to email Mrs. Rosenblum to ask for a spot in journalism. I was hesitant at first because even though I love to read and write, I have never taken a class like this before. I had no idea what to expect or if I would even enjoy the class, but I was so sad about the end of the ceramics class that I took the chance to do something new and emailed Mrs. Rosenblum.
At first, I was scared of what would come because I did not know what to expect. But I fell in love. Photography has always been one of my favorite pastimes, so my heart raced when I learned I could use the school’s camera to take pictures. I seized every opportunity to take photos at games, pep rallies, spirit weeks, and even the sports awards. I had the creative freedom to show what it is like to be a student at West Boca! What was even cooler was helping run the Instagram account, the Bullseye. Katiana was the social media manager, so we always went together to these events. I not only got to do what I love, but I could also do it with a friend. Kati allowed me to post some of the photos to the Bullseye, and it was so fun seeing how well the posts did and how much we could get the Instagram’s followers up. With Instagram, I could also teach my classmates Jenna and Mackenzie how to use the camera, and they took even better photos than I did! It was amazing to share and see their love of photography, and I know they will do amazing things with Instagram next year!
Without taking this class, I wouldn’t have been able to grow my love for photography and writing. It allowed me to explore my skills and creativity in a new way. Even though I was angry about the end of ceramics, I am glad it did because it led me to a new path. I was able to participate and get so much more involved with the school than I have ever been before. As a senior, taking these classes was a blessing and a great way to end my high school career!
Yours truly, Sofia Swanner
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Dear Bullseye,
When I stepped into the newspaper classroom at the beginning of my senior year I immediately knew we would become like a family. From the first activity, Mrs. Rosenblum had us excited about what new assignments we were going to do.
The very first thing we did when walking in the classroom was a fun game using animal stickers to find our other animal partners by making the sounds of the animals while moving around the room. Once everyone was in their groups, we could barely continue due to the copious amounts of laughter that filled the room. When we finally finished laughing, we moved on to introducing the person to the left of us to the rest of the group while we sat in a circle on the floor. Every student had some laughs, made some connections, and learned a fun fact about another classmate.
I enjoyed the random conversations I would have at my table and the shock when overhearing the discussions going on feet away at the other tables. My favorite thing to do is get distracted by the interesting conversations we have with Mrs. Rosenblum, which turn into interesting articles. I enjoyed my article about how medicine affects redheads because it started as a normal conversation about another article Mrs. Rosenblum had read that interested me, too and it became an assignment, but it never felt like that when I got to write about things that interested me.
Regardless of the writer’s block, we all have experienced, we worked hard and got our news out there. Brianna was always there to keep us on track by keeping our brainstorm document organized, which was an extreme help, allowing me to write about my interests, and make sure no one else was doing the same article. Even doing a video for our Instagram was fun because we got to go outside, laugh, and embarrass ourselves for all of the school to see. Walking around and going out to get interviews and pictures of people for the topics of our articles was especially great because it allowed me to get up and go find the information I needed instead of finding it only on a computer, which gets boring from time to time.
The normal shenanigans that took place in the background of us working made me want to come to class today. Things like sitting on desks for no reason while playing bingo, contexto, and Wordle all made the classroom feel like home. When I walked into this class, every day that I was present, I would expect to leave with a smile on my face regardless of how I walked in and that made me feel seen and heard by my classmates. I feel like these people are ones who I could go to for anything and they would support me no matter what.
Some honorable mentions are Mrs. Rosenblum telling us we don’t know how to use commas, Sabrina and Luanne always making popcorn to share with others, Jenna and Charlee lightheartedly making fun of each other, and dropping the everyday lore to our seatmates before getting work done. Also, Chris may have been a little quiet during the year, but watching him be the only boy in our class and still enjoy himself during our parties was inspiring. After winter break when Mrs. Rosenblum made us switch seats, I began to sit at the first table by the door so I am going to miss looking forward to the silly little knocks on the door Sofia Sierra would do and then her running away and blaming everything on Katiana or Sofia Swanner when I finally opened the door. Eli, Neveah, and Rachel helped keep me focused when I was distracted but had to get work done, and their encouragement was everything I could ask for. I have never been one to like short jokes, but the way this class, mostly Sofia Sierra, manages to make fun of everyone, whether they are tall or short, really solidifies why I love this group of people so much.
Thank you, Mrs. Rosenblum and the Bullseye Staff for giving me another family. I will cherish every memory and I hope the next group of kids enjoy this class as much as I did, especially Jenna and Mackenzie’s leadership next year. Goodbye Bullseye, I will miss you!
So much love, Alexandra Spikes
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Dear Bullseye,
I came to West Boca High in my junior year, but I didn’t get into the newspaper until my senior year. So although this is my first year of newspaper and it is my last year of high school, it won’t be my last year of writing. I plan to continue journalism and be a part of my college’s newspaper program. When I came to West Boca, I didn’t think that I would be a part of the school’s newspaper. I just assumed that I would end up being restricted to writing things I wasn’t interested in or that everything that the smallest things would be considered inappropriate for school.
The time I have spent as part of the West Boca newspaper were some of my most enjoyable moments at school. I was able to write about what interests me and spread awareness on important issues. I was able to meet great people and make some friends. I mostly talked about historical events or time periods and how they impacted our future. I enjoyed writing about history because anything that happened in the past always affects what happens today, which is something that not enough people understand.
It was difficult for me to adjust to a new school, especially when coming from a small charter school, but I was still able to enjoy my time at West Boca. I have made great friendships and have had great opportunities for my future. I can’t wait to go to college and see what I will become.
Sincerely, Nevaeh Albert
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Dear Bullseye,
“Maybe the real treasure was the friends we made along the way.”
I have no idea where this quote is from, but what I do know is that it is a lot of truth. For me, high school was not only about getting good grades or stressing about tests, it was about making friendships and having moments that I will remember for the rest of my life. In the newspaper I made so many friends that it really feels like family. We all talk and joke with each other, advise and help one another grow and become better people. I would like to thank Mrs. Rosenblum for being such an amazing teacher, so dedicated and committed to her work. I must say that senior year would not be the same without you.
I want to thank all my senior fellows for motivating me when I needed to and everyday giving me a reason to laugh.
I want to wish my junior fellows good luck and I am sure you guys will achieve great things.
I am proud to say that I survived these 4 years, and it was not only what I expected, it was better. Of course, I must say that I went through a lot of stress and sleepless nights doing homework or studying for a hard test, but if I could do it all over again, I would do it with pleasure.
When I started as a freshman, I only had 2 friends and barely spoke English. As a sophomore, I started taking AICE classes and began making more friends. In my Junior year I studied like never before and took both AICE and AP classes. As a senior, I got so much closer to my friendships and made so many more connections that were so meaningful. Senior year flies by so fast, and it is over in the blink of an eye. It is so funny because I have complained since the start of the year, and now that it is ending, so many mixed feelings start to come. It’s this bittersweet sensation of the desire to start something new, but having to leave your old self behind.
I want to thank every single teacher I ever had, thank you for shaping who I am today. Thank you to West Boca High School for every day adding one piece of knowledge to my bag in which I will carry for the rest of my life.
As of this summer, I will be starting my studies at UCF, studying Digital Marketing and Psychology. Thank you everyone for making my dream possible. I love you guys!
“And now here is my secret, a very simple secret: It is only with the heart that one can see rightly; what is essential is invisible to the eye.” ― Antoine de Saint-Exupéry, The Little Prince
With appreciation, Luanne Barbosa
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Dear Bullseye,
“Sometimes the best choices are the ones you didn’t plan on making”
Have you ever made a spur of the moment decision? Something done completely on a whim. At the beginning of senior year I made the very sudden decision to join the Bullseye. Despite it being a rather sudden decision, it quickly became one of the best classes I had ever taken.
You know those moments in life where you randomly choose to do something completely out of nowhere.
At the beginning of my senior year, I decided to switch from my AP Lit class into newspaper. I was never an amazing writer or super interested in Journalism. However, the Bullseye gave me something that my English classes never did. Freedom to write what I want and how I want. From informal opinion pieces on the latest released film, to serious informative research papers surrounding the issue of mass consumerism. I loved having the opportunity to write about my interests every week.
Not only that, but the newspaper was probably the most fun class I had all year, maybe even in my whole high school experience. In the newspaper I got to meet many different people that I probably wouldn’t have gotten to know in my everyday life. I built amazing friendships that made class that much more fun. We laugh and tease and joke every day. It’s one of those classes you don’t want to skip.
Throughout high school, my main goal was to study hard, take all the advanced courses I needed, and participate in as many clubs as I could. Basically, preparing for college applications was all I thought about. I never truly had a class that was just fun to go to, that I was excited every day to go to. I know that being in the newspaper sounds like it may be a chore. Writing newspapers every week, always working. While we are always writing something new, it is never boring. Like my fellow reporter Luanne said, the treasured friendships I made along the way made what might seem like an everyday writing course, an enthusiastic creative space.
Not to mention all the parties we have had. I mean any holidays or events would become a party in our classroom. I think this made for a really social and welcoming environment. Also, bribing us with food and movies definitely helped encourage us to work hard.
It’s my last year at West Boca Raton Community High School, my last few days as a senior. Before I drive off to college, I just want to say how grateful I am for this class for being my break from the horrors and stresses of AP classes. For helping me to express myself and grow myself as a writer. I hope that the Bullseye’s future reporters will grow to love this class as much as I have and will take advantage of every opportunity they are given.
Arrivederci, Ciao, Au revoir, and Goodbye, Sabrina Macedo
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Dear Bullseye,
This year has been quite eventful. I feel blessed to have been a part of this wonderful community of writers this year. During a year of chaos, the newspaper has acted as a class I can blow off steam in. Whether it was to write what was on my mind or to just chill, newspaper is a class that I highly recommend. I truly enjoyed each of the articles that I worked on.
One thing that I loved about newspaper was the number of topics I got to write about. I enjoyed discussing topics from 2024 fashion trends to pop culture moments during the span of this year. My absolute favorite opportunity that I got from the newspaper was going to Don Estridge. I got to meet so many wonderful people that day. I was lucky to have met Holocaust survivors from all around Florida, as well as other important members of the Holocaust remembrance and education committee in the Palm Beach District.
I have also gotten closer with my classmates this year, especially the ones at my table. I always look forward to the conversations we have everyday and they truly mean the world to me. I am going to be extraordinarily sad as I leave them behind and start my college journey.
The Bullseye was not just a class but an amazing experience and opportunity that I hope to continue in college. I have met so many great people and learned so much about writing in general. Please join the Bullseye if this is something you would be interested in!
Best wishes, Rachel Herman
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Dear Bullseye,
When you ask West Boca students what their senior year was like, some would say easy, others would say it was the most stressful time of their lives (although a lot of them say that about every school year lol)
For me, this year has been both. Yes, I got easy classes, but I was so burned out that those easy classes became awful- even my art class, and for those who know me, that would definitely come as a surprise. But the Bullseye has been one of those classes where I learned a lot about my creative side.
Although in my profile you may be able to see just a couple of articles, it’s because I was brought in to make some of the graphics for the articles. I did have some articles in the works, but I just didn’t know how to say what I REALLY wanted to say. This type of writing is not necessarily my thing since I do prefer creative writing. But there’s a first time for everything.
I think the best part about this class is the people. You can tell so much about a person just by what they decide to write about. Some like to do reviews for books, others just like to do current events. And I just think that’s super fun. I’m a social person, but at the beginning, it was a little overwhelming meeting new people. Everyone here made me feel welcome.
But I do have to mainly thank Mrs.Rosenblum for inviting me into the class. She had offered me the opportunity since she loved my art, and I decided to join since I thought it would be fun and new. And it absolutely was! I really wish more people knew about the newspaper because I would have joined years ago.
I’m hoping that next year, more artists get to join and add more creativity to the newsletter. So hopefully next year, more people know about it. Mainly since this class shows what students are the most interested in and it gives them a voice they wouldn’t necessarily have anywhere else. Plus it gives students information on current events at school rather than word of mouth.
I’m very thankful to be in this class and hope that the next generation of students will be as well.
Sincerely, Eli Hernandez
