SpecialApril 12, 2013 10

New Paw Prints adviser begins start of legacyBy BELINDA HUANGEDITOR-IN-CHIEF

Leader: a person who influences a group of people towards the achievement of a goal. Leader: a person defined by purpose and their commitment to others. Leader: Adviser Kady Anderson-Fibrow.

Mrs. Anderson, as we call her, jumped headfirst into Paw Prints not knowing what to expect at all. As a first-year adviser, she took control of an organization that had been run for over 40 years. She took the reigns over a wild, crazy staff that was used to its old ways. And she stepped out of her comfort zone to break old traditions and begin a new mold for a future of excellence.

For those who do not know her, Mrs. Anderson is a person defined by strong moral integrity, an infinite desire for improvement, a warm and light-humored temperament and a true heart of giving. She gives herself wholeheartedly to everything that she does, and Paw Prints is no exception.

“Her generosity really reflects on how much the paper improved,” said news editor junior Stephanie Lin. “Whenever we had a deadline that we couldn’t finish, she would always stay late to make us finish with quality.”

Staff writer sophomore Joyce Ou added, “She’s always here for us even when she’s busy. She puts so much into us and tries really hard to make our program better. I mean, she could just be there and let us do whatever we want, but she always contributes and pitches in ideas to make us better.”

Whether it was her time, her beliefs, her ideas, her concerns or her support, Mrs. Anderson never hesitated in her generosity. And it is with this heart that she made an impact on not only our newspaper, but our lives.

“Whenever we turn in articles, she is very critical in finding your purpose, which relates to real life,” said entertainment editor senior Salena Quach. “She always advocates knowing our purpose and what we want in life.”

Quach continued by stating that she always asks Mrs. Anderson questions about life and describes how she never “sugarcoats” anything.

“She is very straightforward and honest. It makes me feel like she is family because of her openness and trust. This made me have a better perspective and hold her in a higher regard—one that is more than just respect—I use her as a guiding lamppost,” said Quach.

And like true great leaders, Mrs. Anderson leads by example. She is never one to give commands and not execute her own beliefs. She talks the talk and walks the walk.

“She is very organized herself and on top of her tasks,” said editor-in-chief senior Kathie Tang. “By example, she leads us to follow in her steps and maintain that high standard that she displays. She always pushed for change, and that’s something we never had before. Now I see that change is a good thing and something to work hard for.”

Staff writer sophomore Janae Yip echoed this idea saying, “She is able to balance so many things, and she puts her heart and full potential into all of them. This inspired me to see that it’s possible to do and care about a lot of things.”

And on top of all these qualities, I believe there is a greater quality, a deeper quality that makes her shine—and that is her heart for people. Her genuine desire to love and care for others is truly what sets her apart, not only as a leader but as a person.

“She cares about us as human beings, like friends,” said perspectives editor junior Tiffany Yeh. “I’ve never had a teacher that cared and tried to get to know me.”

Yeh went on to recall one particular instance, “One day I was sitting there being depressed and she asked if I was okay. Most teachers would just walk by and not want to deal with that, but she doesn’t think our problems are trivial. She takes into consideration what we’re going through.”

Editorial editor junior Jason Li elaborated, “She took the time and effort to get to know us, and she offered me a different perspective than the one I had in the beginning of high school. She shared about what she found happiness in, and her freedom in talking about her own experience shifted my mindset.”

And for me, Mrs. Anderson has become one of my closest and most trusted friends. My senior year in general and my year as editor-in-chief would not have been the same without her. As a mentor, a leader, a friend and even like the older sister I never had, Mrs. Anderson impacted my life in the most profound way—she gave me hope that there is still good in this world. She gave me a true relationship, and that is something that will stay with me for the rest of my life.

There will only be new heights that Paw Prints will reach with Mrs. Anderson at the forefront. Over the short period of one year, she has shown what it means to be a true leader—a person who gives guidance, shows care and becomes an inspiration. A leader is who she is, and a legacy is what she is leaving behind. PHOTOS COMPILED BY KATRINA WU