Back in mid-October of 2022, I was 2 months into my freshman year of high school, and fresh off the heels of becoming a state champion with the varsity golf team. I am someone that will make friends just like everyone else, but the introverted self that I am, it takes a little longer. Though by this time, I had a great group of friends in every class, except one. I hadn’t quite cracked the code in Journalism yet, as I was one of the only freshmen in the class of almost 20. Though in Mrs. Droginske’s first week back from maternity leave, she gave me an important task of writing about the history and about the Park Press in general, but she gave me a partner, Maliah Miskiewicz. Again, my introverted self who typically likes to work alone, was a bit skeptical. Little did I know that in May of 2025, she was going to be such a good friend. And now this last year she and her best friend Carter Bauer teamed up to be The Park Press’ Co-Editors in Chief.
Maliah was also a member of the speech and debate team, and was a part of the 43rd, 44th, and 45th consecutive state championship winning teams, all while being an individual state champion herself, and has many fond memories from the time on the team, and especially in her senior year.
“Carter and I winning second place at our biggest speech tournament of the year, Three Rivers (at Upper St. Clair High school) and obviously States holds a very special place in my heart too..I’ve been dreaming about that moment for years, placing so well in such a big tournament,” said Miskiewicz.
Maliah said that she has always enjoyed public speaking, and wants to continue things related to that in college and hopefully for a career. But in particular, broadcast journalism, which she plans to participate in while attending WVU.
“I plan to continue my aspirations of journalism, into college and hopefully for the rest of my life…I love already surrounding myself in so many forms of journalism, and I plan on really continuing that with the focus of broadcasting in college,” said Miskiewicz.
Maliah has been in the broadcasting class at Wheeling Park High School, and you probably have seen her name or her face as anything from producer, to reporter, to anchor of the weekly Patriot Connection.
In her time at The Park Press, Maliah is the main reason why the print editions are so colorful and not just your typical newspaper. She has a design eye that is unmatched, everybody wouldn’t believe what the paper looks like before and after Maliah has touched it. Our 2023-2024 Editor-in-chief Lucy Aderholt said that Maliah took her dreams, and helped achieve them.
“During my time in the Press, I hoped to pursue truth in a good and beautiful way. Let me tell you, without Maliah it would have been truth and white space…Maliah can make everything look beautiful,” said Aderholt.
Maliah has helped so many people, including myself, in her time at the Press. I’ve heard our assistant designers saying how they’re ready to take over the design duties thanks to Maliah’s help and leadership. Though more importantly, she is everything you would want out of a friend.
“Maliah is truly a caring friend and I always felt loved and supported by her in and out of the Press. I’m so happy that she was Co-Editor in Chief this year, it’s a very well deserved title…I know I learned so much from my time in the Park Press, and I hope Maliah has taken away not just Canva skills…but also built friendships and gained a love for sharing people’s stories, in her very Maliah, very beautiful way,” said Aderholt.
To fully understand how much Maliah has meant to people, just ask me to see Lucy’s full response to two questions, and I couldn’t agree more with everything Lucy said. Though if everyone wants to take something from Maliah, this quote is perfect.
“I would tell myself that it is so much more fun to live in the moment,” said Miskiewicz.
Maliah also said that she has had so many fun times in the Park Press, and I can attest, there have been some wild and fun memories and moments. Though like Lucy, Maliah was constantly up late at night, working on and finalizing and perfecting the print, so I have one piece of advice for you. Maliah said it in her spotlight on Lucy this time last year, and Maliah, you too, get some sleep, because you also deserve it.
