Ever since its inception, Mitty’s The Monarch Newspaper has served as a medium for self-expression and the circulation of recent news for students. What started as a physical paper evolved into a digital format, encompassing various categories from modern social justice to sports and student-made art. Due to its expansiveness and its meticulous structure, running the paper is not a one-man job. In this article, moderators Mr. VanValkenburg and Mr. Whitt, along with some of the current editors, detail their experiences as contributors to The Monarch.

For over 20 years, Mr. Van and Mr. Whitt have actively managed the newspaper. Though not always present at every section’s meetings, they are the very backbone of the entire operation. In addition to providing logistical support to editors, such as advising them on how to approach different article assignments and assisting in the finalization of those articles, the moderators also seek to empower students as leaders of their sections. As Mr. Van puts it,

Over the years, Mr. Van and Mr. Whitt have witnessed many changes within the newspaper. During the pandemic, the launch of the digital paper marked a profound leap forward, which was followed by the introduction of sections such as Art and Science and Technology. Alongside the older News and Opinions sections, the paper has become a platform that allows students from diverse backgrounds to express themselves, and most notably, it amplifies voices that might otherwise go unheard. For instance, the paper pays tribute to students and colleagues who have passed too soon.

Mr. Van takes pride in supporting editors through challenges and watching them advance as leaders. However, his and Mr. Whitt’s support extends beyond the editors to include encouragement for student writers as well. Mr. Whitt likens the Monarch to the Statue of Liberty, remarking how it is open to anyone eager to contribute and see their work in print. Editor-in-chief Ansh Bhadani ‘25 echoes this, stating,

Despite the prestige that comes with the title, editors don’t become editors just to jazz up their college applications. In Sports editor Nathan Han’s ’26 words,

Additionally, some editors find the newspaper as an opportunity for self-growth. Like many others, Justice section editor Ryan Tsai ’26 started off as a student writer. Despite the demanding workload of being an editor, which entails crafting and assigning stories, communicating with writers, and readying articles for online publication, Ryan was apt to prove himself capable of handling such responsibilities. Thus, through time, Ryan has garnered substantial experience on creative writing and beneficial qualities in leadership, such as patience and understanding. 

In spite of being editors, many found their most valuable experiences came from writing. For Ansh, a standout moment was interviewing Coach Kennedy for an article. As an avid sports fan, Ansh was captivated by Coach Kennedy’s firsthand insights coaching Aaron Gordon ’13, who soon became a professional basketball player, and was drawn to the closeness of the coach-athlete relationship. Similarly, Ryan, who saw his first article on gun violence published, had a feeling of accomplishment like never before. “It was the spotlight article for its issue,” he recalls, “and I was really proud to see my work pay off for the first time.”

As each coming school year ushers a new class of students, The Monarch Newspaper is here to stay, awaiting new voices to illuminate Mitty’s campus with fresh and vibrant perspectives. As Editor-in-chief, Ansh teases at new updates for the newspaper’s future—from striking Mitty Minutes to a new line of merch, it would be a shame to miss out!