Staff Q&As: Lynlee Derrick

Name: Lynlee Derrick

Grade: 11

Position: Managing Editor of Assignments

Semesters spent on TCT: 5

1. Why did you decide to join TCT?

“Going into freshman year, I didn’t want to take gym. Instead, while looking through the course guide, I found a writing class, and I love to write. So I took the chance—why not—by taking the intro class to TCT. I adored it. I adored the people too, so I stayed on for TCT.”

2. How has TCT helped you grow as a writer and person?

“It’s not an easy class—it’s fun, but you can’t slack off. It’s fun because as a person, I’ve found myself interviewing different people, which is something I never saw myself doing when I started the intro class at 13. Through this, I’ve gotten more confident as a person and in my writing.”

3. If you were a type of cheese, what type of cheese would you be?

“I would be Daiya provolone cheese—a vegan cheese brand—since lactose is no bueno. The provolone is refined in the sense that if you go to Subway, a not-so-fancy place, I’m the best you can get, but if you go to a steakhouse, I stick out on the menu. I’m kind of like a gas station goodie like that.”

4. What is your favorite thing about writing?

“The power of words is immensely underrated, and it’s why I love writing. I’m more aware of what I say and do and act now. With writing, I can purposefully place each word, each story, each idea together to weave an interconnected concept of something much greater than myself. The fact I can do that with just letters scrambled together is freaking mind-blowing.”

5. Who’s your favorite literary character and why?

“I fit the role of Rodrick from Diary of a Wimpy Kid pretty well. He’s a little obscure like me. Also, he is in a band. That’s cool. I want to be in a band. He has killer hair too, and mine was cool before I dyed it. When Rodrick looked weird in the new movie, people protested, and I feel like I could get protested too.”

6. What is your favorite type of story to write and why?

“I never fear writing a profile. Profiles are my favorite. Sitting down and talking to someone feeds into my love of learning; I love learning about other people and their lives. I love hearing their words and feelings. It’s underappreciated—the power we have to do that on staff. And the fact that the person I interview trusts me with their words and their story is just decisively Delphic and esoteric to the privilege of being on TCT.”

7. What are your aspirations for the upcoming decade?

“To smile genuinely more. I want to give myself more happy moments.”