Just the other day, Cheryl Hatch, The Campus adviser, asked me what my favorite memory being on staff was. I couldn’t answer her. I tried to think back to when I joined all the way through producing this year’s last issue and not one memory stood out.

I can’t pick a favorite moment from being on The Campus because since I joined, this paper has become my entire life. Every Monday night and Thursday has been dedicated to the newspaper. I spend more time with my news team than I do anyone else on campus, even including my roommates. I’ve met some of my best friends from being on staff and have enjoyed countless memories both newspaper-related and not, cue the montage of post-layout nights at Mickey’s, dinner at President Mullen’s, face cake and bonding in room 106.

This journey, while relatively short, has easily been the most meaningful experience of my undergraduate career. For those of you that know me well, and even those of you that don’t, it is obvious what I prioritize on this campus. Sorry Mom and Dad, but I put way more time and energy into The Campus than I ever have a class.

In the last 2 1/2 years I rose through the ranks of The Campus. I officially joined the staff in spring 2014 as the junior news editor, luckily under the direction of Sam Stephenson as the news editor. Then the following semester I was appointed to the news editor position for the 2014-15 academic year while Sam and Amanda Spadaro co-led the news team. And then with just over one year of experience, I ran unopposed for editor-in-chief for the 2015-16 academic year.

The moment I joined The Campus I knew I found my niche. Up until that point I was nervous, shy and intimidated by the editors. I waited to apply to be on staff until my sophomore year because I didn’t think I could do it. I had close to no journalism experience and honestly had no confidence in my ability to produce a well-written story. It’s crazy to think about the people we were and the people we grow to be.

The person I am today would not have been possible without my news team. Major thanks need to be given to last year’s seniors, Sam, Amanda and Claire Teague. You all made such unique and powerful impressions on me and my approach to journalism. I know I wouldn’t be where I am today without assistance, whether newspaper related or emotional, from each of you. Also, I would like to say thank you to Cheryl for being a support system through the last four years. You helped me grow in confidence and taught me not to take s— from anyone.

I owe The Campus, my peers on staff and our adviser, everything for believing in me and helping me reach this point.  I’m proud of the work I’ve produced over the years. I’m proud of the growth I see from my first story to my last. And I’m exceptionally proud of the dedication my peers, my news team give to the paper. We’ve transformed the paper over the past few years into “a real newspaper” as Cheryl would say, and though I’m graduating and leaving my tenure behind, I know this tradition of “nothing but the best” will continue.

I look forward to what Angela Mauroni and Eylie Buehler, next year’s co-editors-in-chief, will produce. I know the paper is in more than capable hands. Thanks for letting me be a part of it.