Looking back at my time on the Union, I can only smile.
I’ve seen and experienced a wide variety of things including interviewing Kenbrell Thompkins, a former Warrior and current wideout for the New England Patriots, winning first place in a sports writing competition, and even getting kicked out of an interview.
Despite the long hours, tough decisions, harsh criticism and managerial struggles, journalism has taken me places I thought I would never go.
When I first started at EC in 2008, I was trying to find my way.
For two years, I took numerous classes but came away with only one credit for a Friday morning class.
My biggest academic achievement? Bowling the highest game in my class.
After that semester, I realized I needed to figure things out.
I indulged myself in the melting pot of classes the college had to offer, trying out film, cultural anthropology, and first aid.
During that time, I realized my dream of becoming a professional athlete was not realistic so I looked for another way to connect with sports.
Enter journalism.
I took a Journalism 1 class and knew it was for me when I found myself waking up for an 8 a.m. class on Fridays.
After falling in love with journalism, I decided to dive in the following fall semester and join the newspaper.
After a lot of hard work and fierce competition from my peers, I was awarded the Jolene Combs Award for Excellence in Journalism. The award is voted on by the staff and given to the writer who sets the bar for the semester, to the reporter everyone feels embodies the work.
Looking back now, joining the newspaper was the best decision I’ve made.
It provided a foundation for my life that was needed in a time of uncertainty.
It gave me a sense of freedom because it supports democracy and helped develop my writing.
It challenged me to be better, to always improve.
It taught me the basics of how to be punctual, prepared, and present.
It changed me into the person I am today and will determine the places I go in the future.
Fast forward to last semester, using everything that I have learned, I became the sports editor for the second time.
I never thought that I would get the opportunity to interview a NFL player, but I did.
I never thought I would be winning awards for my writing, but I am.
I never thought I would be able to lead a group of 50 journalists and run an entire news organization, but here I am, editor-in-chief.
I can only look at my progression from staff writer to editor as the reasoning behind my ability to fill the shoes of every editor that has come before me.
I’m in a position where people look to me for answers, and I’m the first to catch the heat if something goes wrong.
This wonderful path is one that I won’t soon forget and I couldn’t have done it without help and guidance along the way.
To my adviser Kate McLaughlin, thank you. Without telling me, you have shown me what hard work is and what it means to truly care for something. Leading this program by yourself for the last year is something I will always admire you for. Fall semester will be one for the books, and you’ll finally have the relief you deserve.
To Eric, Angela, Jessica, Thomas, Amira, Nadia, Russell and Sebastian,
I don’t know what I would do without my editorial board. I was able to do this job because of the hard work and tireless hours you put into this. I know some of you won’t be back next semester, but you will all travel the road of success. You will always have a friend in me.
And to our readers, thank you.
Without you this wouldn’t be possible. We do this for you guys and we can’t wait to be back at it in fall.
Until then enjoy our summer issue and we’ll see you in September.