The McMahon Archive and the Question of Its Existence

For many seniors at Brien McMahon High School, the McMahon Archive is not just a name that gets mentioned in the hallways. It is the school newspaper that many students have dedicated years of time, writing, and emotion to building. The archive has become a place where students document the culture of the school, the voices of their classmates, and the experiences that shape their time at McMahon. Yet despite the effort behind it, some people still claim that the McMahon Archive does not even exist.

For the students who have worked with the newspaper since earlier years of high school, hearing that claim can feel deeply frustrating. Many of them became involved with the archive during their sophomore year and have spent the last several years writing stories, interviewing classmates, and contributing to something they believed represented the voice of their school. Now as seniors, the newspaper represents not only the stories they covered but also the time they spent building something meaningful together.

Senior Alinson Morales said that hearing people question the existence of the archive can feel upsetting because it ignores the work students have put into it.

“It’s honestly emotional,” Morales said. “We’ve been doing this since sophomore year and people act like it’s not even real. But we know the time we’ve spent writing and building it.”

Grace Kimball explained that the archive has always been about giving students a voice and documenting the moments that define life at McMahon.

“The archive is something we care about because it represents our school,” Kimball said. “Even if someone hasn’t seen it themselves, it still exists because we’ve been writing for it and creating it.”

Anthony Luna joined the McMahon Archive later than some of the other students, becoming involved during his junior year. Even though he joined after it had already been established, he said it was clear how much the newspaper meant to the students who had been working on it.

“When I joined I could see how much everyone cared about it,” Luna said. “People have been writing for this newspaper for years. Just because some people haven’t noticed it doesn’t mean it isn’t there.”

Gabby Rivera described the archive as something that reflects the shared experiences of the students who contributed to it.

“When you write for something like this you’re telling the story of your school,” Rivera said. “The McMahon Archive is part of our time here and it shows the voices of the students who were part of it.”

As the seniors who helped shape the McMahon Archive prepare to graduate, the newspaper represents more than just articles and headlines. It represents the memories they captured, the friendships formed while working together, and the belief that the stories of their school were worth telling. Whether every student has seen it or not, for the writers and contributors who spent years building it, the McMahon Archive is real and it carries the voice of their time at Brien McMahon High School