The official student-run news publication of Edina High School.

Edina Zephyrus
The official student-run news publication of Edina High School.

Edina Zephyrus
The official student-run news publication of Edina High School.

Edina Zephyrus
Categories:

Carmela Cadja, design editor

Claire Chen, editor in chief
May 27, 2024
Olivia Wegmann-Krider
“You think you just fell out of a coconut tree?”

Design Editor (2023-24) and writer Carmela Cadja first derived her appreciation for actor Christian Bale in an infamous video of his. “He has this clip where he screams at this guy for ruining a scene, and you can hear the emotion and passion in his voice. He’s really dedicated to acting and that’s very admirable,” Carmela said.

In very slight tandem with Bale, Carmela will also leave behind a legacy of passion and discipline within the layout realm of Zephyrus. 

Carmela was first introduced to Zephyrus towards the end of freshman year, which operated virtually due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The combination of aesthetic presentation and community connections prompted Carmela to join the publication during her sophomore year. 

“I really liked the community aspect of Zephyrus that was advertised since when I was online I barely talked to anyone and felt very disconnected from Edina since I live in Burnsville, and so I wanted to be part of something bigger than myself,” Carmela said. 

As design editor in both her junior and senior year, Carmela constantly improved the overall appeal of the print cycles, and the continual mentorship of layout staff progressed her own interpersonal skills. “I’m definitely more confident in my ability to lead people; it was a hard learning curve for me to be able to manage a group of people when they all have a different learning style and ability,” Carmela said. 

Her favorite memories of Zephyrus include a trip to Boston for the National High School Press Association Convention, in which 2023-24 Copy Editor Lainey Maniak lost her voice. “She had a smoker’s voice the entire time, and anytime we were talking as a group you would hear her voice come through and it was the funniest thing ever,” Carmela said. 

Following the conclusion of her senior year, Carmela plans to attend Georgetown University to major in Science Technology and International Relations. Specifically, Carmela intends to study astrophysics, which Carmela notes is “one of the coolest things in the universe.”

This piece was originally published in Zephyrus’ print edition on May 24, 2024

View Story Comments
Print this Story
More to Discover
More in Features
Despite the -6º temperature on Dec. 12, Banks suits up to fulfill his morning traffic control duties.
Jenkins becomes a new favorite among the EHS student body
Danny and Napa Martin have been taking care of each other since elementary school. Photo courtesy of the Martin Family.
Danny Martin and his furry sidekick Napa
Seniors Eleanor Doscotch, Indra Khariwala, and Ally Adair prepare care packages for hospitals. Photo courtesy of Eleanor Doscotch.
Student-run nonprofit organizations work to benefit the community
Junior Anja Nymo writes holiday cards for local nursing homes.
Project Blush’s new beginning at EHS
Robotics teams Easy As π, Since Sliced Bread, Piece of Cake, and Aluminum Warriors face off in a scrimmage in the EHS math wing.
Piece of Cake wins robotics scrimmage for EHS
Cast of Alice by Heart performing Do You Think We Think You're Alice?
EHS Thespians present their wonderland, “Alice by Heart”
About the Contributors
Claire Chen
Claire Chen, Editor-In-Chief
Claire (she/her) is so very excited for her fourth and final year on Zephyrus. If Claire were to describe her hopes for her senior year in one word, it would be “hopefullyworthit.” If Claire had a million dollars, she would spend it all on her adorable cat Coco. If Claire had 2 million dollars, she would spend it on Coco and buy all the rom-com books in the world. If Claire had 3 million dollars, she would spend it on Coco, buy all the rom-com books in the world, and make it her dying mission to meet Glen Powell in person. If Claire had 100 million dollars (wow big jump) she would spend it on Coco, buy all the rom-com books in the world, make it her dying mission to meet Glen Powell, maybe get a new couch for the pubs room, and donate the rest to charity (duh). All this to say that Claire wishes she had money but is so willing to give up that high-stakes opportunity cost of working for giving it her all in Zephyrus.
Olivia Wegmann-Krider
Olivia Wegmann-Krider, Art Director
Despite the somber fact that this is her final year on Zephyrus, Olivia is immensely excited to close it out as Art Director. In the summer, she’s probably making christmas cookies, and in the winter, she’s probably debating whether or not to fold her laundry from five weeks ago. If you’re looking for a masterclass in acting, you can always watch her pretend to understand calculus; contrary to popular belief, she does not, in fact, know what’s going on. The worst day of her life was when she lost her 66 day duolingo streak, but it was probably for the best because three months in she still didn't know the alphabet. Most importantly, watch out: you never know when she’s going to ambush you with her disposable camera in hopes of getting a ‘candid’.