It is with great excitement and pride that I write this and welcome you to the 2014-2015 year of publishing The Herald.

The Herald staff has doubled since last year and is full of bright, energetic, and hardworking students who are happy to be a part of one of Holyoke’s oldest traditions. You’ll notice our new tagline at the top of the page under The Herald logo – it reads “Since 1898.” It is our honor to carry on The Herald’s long lineage.

We could not continue The Herald tradition without the help of our sponsors: special thanks to Antil landscaping, the Olde Holyoke Development Corporation, Centurion Waterproofing, and Beth Brogle for their contributions!

This year, we have a great team of leaders overseeing day-to-day operations here at The Herald. They include:

Ashley Morsen, our editor-in-chief.

Melanie Kos, our news editor.

Lindsey Martins, our features editor.

Nick Edwards, our sports editor.

Faizul Sibdhanny kicks off a new feature on our website – a monthly spotlight of individuals who are contributing to either our school or community. This month, he profiles our Acting Principal for the 2014-2015 school year Mr. Sullivan! Read all about how Mr. Sullivan feels about Holyoke, our high school, and the future of our school here.

There’s a lot going on in the halls of Holyoke High: Ana Diaz Moore covers our recent college fair, while Ellen Rice profiles a new addition to the third floor: the “Fallen Knights” mural.

Who doesn’t love pizza? Garrett Lemieux profiles some of the many options for pizza in Holyoke.

In sports, Nick Edwards introduces The Herald’s readers to a new face on the scene: new head variety football coach Rick Jewell. Danny Boyle takes a look at The New England Patriots, while Chris Perez chronicles the unlikely victory of Team USA in the 2014 FIBA World Cup.

Matt Antil thinks baseball has become so tediously boring – but he’s got some ideas on how to fix it.

The Herald tackles two disturbing world events: Dominique Evans covers the unsettling threat of the terrorist group ISIS while Anthony Cruz worries about the looming danger of the spread of the Ebola virus.

On the lighter side of news, Nora Taupier takes a look at this year’s fall fashions, Hanna Smith pays tribute to the late Joan Rivers, and Lara McGeer was disappointed in the season finale of Teen Wolf (even though she’s a big fan of the show).

Still looking for more? Why not check your horoscope, take a glance at the school calendar (located on our main page), or browse our archives?

Don’t forget to follow us at @hhsherald on Twitter and “like” us at “Holyoke High Herald” on Facebook to keep updated on new stories and features!

A special thanks to every one of our readers who will take the time to read our content and support not only our paper but Holyoke High School in general. Our staff is doing everything it can to do our school and entire community proud.

Thanks for reading, and we’re just getting started!

– Joe Courchesne, Herald faculty adviser.