I have always known I would become a writer. I didn’t know what kind – novelist, poet or mysterious Emily Dickinson-esque recluse with a typewriter and a lot of opinions – but I knew reading and writing would be my future.

From my first ever poem in elementary school (a haiku about decapitation, the word itself being five syllables, I know, very clever), to competitive high school poetry performances and now my collegiate creative works, writing has always been my constant.

What I didn’t expect was journalism – that part snuck up on me.

My first article for The Hofstra Chronicle was an opinion piece published in November 2022, after our current Editor-in-Chief and one of my first Hofstra friends, Makenzie Hurt, asked me to tag along to an Opinion meeting so she wouldn’t have to go alone. I’m so grateful she did.

But, oh man, I remember toiling over that article for an entire week, re-writing and editing various parts to make sure it made me sound perfectly intellectual and professional, like it wasn’t just 650 words of me complaining.

Seeing it in print with my name attached, the layout all neat and official-looking, I was so proud. I wanted to write more, and I was already brainstorming my next article, which I would also treat like it was going to be put up for a Pulitzer.

I kept showing up for various section meetings, and eventually, Julian Rocha, the Features editor at the time, reached out and asked me to consider applying to become the section’s assistant editor. I was both ecstatic at the opportunity and extremely nervous. At that point, I had only written a few articles, and I still had to pull up the AP style guide on a split-screen tab (I’m still an MLA girl at heart).

I hadn’t previously considered going for a higher position, but once the opportunity was in front of me, I couldn’t resist. I submitted my meager resume and freshly written cover letter, hoping for the best, unaware that I would be voluntarily subjecting myself to Adobe InDesign-induced meltdowns.

After I was hired, Julian showed me all he could, but he was soon off to bigger and better things, becoming the managing editor of the paper the following year. Suddenly, I was running the section alone. I went from leisurely watching the layout process and writing articles only when inspiration struck to having the sole responsibility of keeping Features running.

At the time, the section was – to put it lightly – on life support. Features had so few writers, most editions became what I now affectionately call “The Zoe Show,” considering I wrote the majority of the published articles for every edition. While everyone was kind and patient with me (especially copy, I am still sorry for the headache I’ve given you guys over the years), I knew that if I wanted to revive Features, I was going to need help, and I was going to need it soon.

Social media kept posting ads that Features needed an assistant, and finally, someone bit – my absolutely amazing (now co-editor!) Lily Anzalone. They were my rock through a lot of the struggle, writing articles, editing and never complaining when the two of us had way more on our shoulders than sections with more editors and writers did. While Features was undeniably still my baby, I felt like now it had two parents, and I didn’t have to keep being a single mother.

This year, miraculously, Features gathered enough writers to fill the office’s conference table. The days of me not even holding budget meetings due to zero turnout were gone; we began holding one every week and seeing familiar faces every time. Suddenly, I didn’t have to write for every edition, an unbelievably welcome change. Now, I could just happily edit and arrange my writers’ words on the InDesign pages.

This semester, Features took on two new assistants, Hannah Mudry and Denivia Rivera. The two of them have been absolutely incredible. To my lovely little birds: thank you so much for making my final year in the Chronicle so effortless and fun. Your presence made me look forward to our budgets every week, something I hadn’t felt since I got the position.

While I am excited to see where the next generation of Features Editors takes the paper, I have to admit, it still stings to say goodbye. It feels like I’m giving my baby up for adoption, but I know it’s falling into extremely passionate and capable hands.

Knowing that this is my last contribution to the paper is bittersweet. I know it’s time to say goodbye to the late, late Monday nights staring blankly at half-finished layouts, wondering “wait, do writers’ titles have dashes?” but I can’t help but think about how much this little piece of Hofstra shaped me, not just as a writer but as a person.

When I first joined, I just thought it was cool to get published – I had no idea that Features would ignite a real passion and lead me to declare journalism as my minor. I am so beyond proud of the work I have done for this section, shaping it into something bigger than what I inherited. The sweat, tears and surprisingly, no blood, taught me how to do real editing, real leadership and real deep breathing exercises when the computer decided to crash from how many tabs I keep open.

I didn’t anticipate the joy I would feel helping writers shape their voices, the thrill of seeing our section get compliments or how incredible I’d feel every time one of the stories resonated with someone outside of our Features bubble.

So, I guess this is it. The last byline. The last edition with my name on it. But as much as it hurts to leave, I’m going with the knowledge that this isn’t really the end, just a conclusion to a very formative, chaotic and beautiful chapter of my life.

This fall, I’ll be heading to Emerson College to pursue my Master’s in Writing and Publishing, where I will keep telling stories, keep building connections and maybe even keep wrangling InDesign if I have to.

I’m not entirely sure what my future holds beyond that, maybe an editor? Author? Poetry professor with outfits too dramatic for a woman in her 30s? Regardless, I know I’m ready for it, and I know I wouldn’t be without these past four years at Hofstra and the past three in the Chronicle.

So, to the Features section and The Hofstra Chronicle as a whole: thank you for everything.

See you in the acknowledgements section someday.

With love,

Zoe