After three months of interning at the Highline Times, this is the last byline I'll write for a while, though I may live on for a few weeks in the form of backlogged articles. As a bona fide little person in the media world, I'd like to thank all the larger people who made this exciting, instructive experience possible.

First of all, Eric Mathison, who issued intriguing assignments, edited my attempts thoughtfully, and issued pearls of journalistic wisdom. In all my future endeavors, I will remember his advice about elbowing members of larger media organizations away if necessary and not using pens when the weather is cold enough to freeze ink.

He never made me fetch him coffee.

My coworkers were also lovely people, who treated me with the usual respect afforded a colleague, rather than a scrummy teenaged waste of office space. They socialized with me and gave me photography tips. None of them ever asked me to fetch coffee, either.

Thanks are also in order for the people of the greater Highline area whom I interviewed or photographed. They warmly welcomed me into their offices, homes, microhomes and historical cabins. They provided well-spoken answers to my nosey, occasionally incoherent questions. A few of the upper-level officials I happened to meet did not actually answer my questions, but they skirted them warmly.

Beyond further familiarizing myself with the inner workings of a newspaper and the reporter's craft, I've also gained a much greater appreciation for the communities in the area. Somehow I had convinced myself that they were almost as devoid of life as my native Federal Way.

Thus, the sense of camaraderie and community spirit came as a pleasant surprise. At least two-thirds of the parties I interviewed stated that they hoped their work would help the community. I believe them. If Sustainable Burien does organize a "Special Trees of Burien" tour, I will be the first to sign up.

So, last of all, thank you, Highline residents, especially those of you who read my articles at some point. It's been a good ride.