Smallville Torch — Season One

KWAN GONE BUT NOT FORGOTTEN

By Chloe Sullivan

The recent death of Principal Kwan has shaken up the emotional state of our fair school. I feel a great sense of loss over his passing. While he and I certainly had our differences relating to the content of this newspaper, Principal Kwan was someone I sincerely respected.

Rarely in the history of high school-dom has there been a principal so committed to doing the right thing. Kwan was never one to bow to public opinion pressure–as demonstrated during last year’s football team cheating scandal. He served as a strict enforcer, but often we teens need someone like that to counteract our brash behavioral patterns.

Even when I was suspended from this paper, I knew, deep down, that Kwan was merely trying to ensure the journalistic integrity–as he saw it–of this paper. I may have been bummed at the time, and I would still prefer to report on hard-hitting truths as opposed to deepest desire surveys, but he was only doing what he felt was best for the students of SHS. This taught me a great lesson.

Kwan also made tremendous strides in getting SHS students involved in our community. From Kwan’s caring heart came the challenge to encourage students to perform community service at the Smallville Retirement Center. This benefited many students and residents alike.

The entire city of Smallville has suffered the loss of a great man. Principal Kwan added a lot to this school and to this town. I, for one, will surely miss him.

THE DEFINITION OF A FRIEND?

By Pete Ross

Sometimes I wonder what the requirements are to count someone as a “friend.” Are people too free with putting others in that category or am I being a cynic?

To me, a friend is someone who’s been there for me over the years, through thick and through thin–someone who picks me up when I’m down. But then, I see other people who hang out with someone once or twice, and they assume that person is a friend for life. I have to really know someone inside and out before I can accept that person as a true friend.

It kind of gets to me when I see someone I know deeming someone their new “best friend” while completely leaving old friends behind. They should know that their longtime friends will always be there, and the “flavor of the week” might not be all that they seem.

What do you think qualifies someone to be your friend? I’d be curious to read what you have to say. Send me an e-mail pete@thetorch.com.