By Jake Kwon ‘26 and Andrew Lei ‘27
Hey there. I’m Jake, and I’ve had the honor of being The Bell Online’s editor-in-chief for the past two years. I’d like to conclude my time here at this publication by sharing some of my thoughts on the club.
I still recall being a frantic and somewhat indecisive freshman on my first day at the Bell Online. I had sent an email out to the EIC at the time, Jeffrey Mu ‘24, telling him that I’d be “approximately ten minutes late” to the orientation meeting.
Looking back at that time, if I were the EIC, I probably would have been slightly annoyed—or at the very least a bit skeptical of this freshman who emailed me about being late before they stepped foot into the office. But what surprised me was how warmly Jeffrey and the other editors received my fumbled introduction.
The more I ponder it, the more I realize now that the office was incomparable to any other place on campus. It was a space where I could momentarily step away from studying without stepping away from thinking—a room where some of the most nuanced, arbitrary ideas and discussions took place.
But more than anything, what the Bell Online gave me was a hunger to understand. Whether it be investigating the sudden closure of Bell Patio or reaching out to alumni such as Matthew Suh, I subconsciously honed my critical thinking skills, learned how to hold a conversation, and developed an ear for what people were really saying.
That, to me, is invaluable.
If you are a current student considering joining the Bell Online, I do not doubt that you will refine these same skills that I have learned during my time here.
I’d like to thank my fellow editors, staff members, our moderators, Mr. Young, and Mrs. Slater, and all of the Bell Online Alumni who have supported the club and me over these past 4 years. It’s been a pleasure, and I know that the Bell Online will continue to cultivate polished writers for years to come.
Jake has left an indelible impact on our school’s newspaper. I’m confident that the memories I’ll share of him below are echoed in the experiences of many of our other editors and writers. His leadership, mentoring, and bright personality will effuse every time we enter Sobrato 204 next year – whether writing articles, brainstorming new ideas, or simply having lively discussions with Mr. Young and Mrs. Slater.
Jake will never say he’s the smartest or most exceptional out loud. Instead he shows it through his actions. For instance, it will never fail to amuse me how he wore the same UChicago hoodie, after getting in the early round, for the rest of the literal academic year.
Jokes aside, though, Jake has helped build the Bell Online newspaper into what it is now. His creative hand was behind the club trailer, which still remains on the top right corner of our website. He’s published countless articles, covering everything from the Lunar New Year Festival to the school musical to the tragic closing of Bell Patio. Despite junior summer being one of the most demanding times for him and his peers, he still held Editor-in-Chief meetings with Mr. Young and Mrs. Slater during Bellarmine Summer Days to brainstorm the newspaper’s prospective direction.
Some of those ideas have, since then, unfolded. Some have not. Regardless, Jake’s passion for his craft will continue to motivate a new generation of writers, who will take on his ideas and continue in many of the efforts that he set foundations for. I’m sure Jake’s passion will also find a welcome home and excited audience in UChicago come Fall.
Thank you, Jake, for everything you’ve done for the Bell Online and our school. Thank you to all our other seniors – Caleb, Ani, and Timothy – as well. Thank you to our moderators, Mr. Young and Mrs. Slater, for another year of dedicating your time Thursdays during CT and all the other help in between.
Have a wonderful summer, and we’ll see you all in August. Go Bells!