Senior send-offs are so bittersweet. They’re both a celebration of the work and the people who made it happen, but also a person’s last words in The Hofstra Chronicle. It’s the culmination of four incredible, life-changing years for me, and it’s not easy to let that go. From my first position as copy editor to my current place as editor-in-chief, the Chronicle has had my whole heart and I truly wouldn’t be the person I am today without it.

I knew from the first day of college that I wanted to join the Chronicle. I came in with AP Style experience from high school, so I knew joining the copy editing section would be a natural place to start. I loved editing, but I discovered that the Chronicle had so much more to offer. I wrote my first article for the Opinion section on Barbie, and what the doll had done for beauty standards and body positivity. I poured so much time into that piece and was incredibly proud of it.

And then I saw it in print – heavily edited.

At the time, it bruised my ego more than I’d like to admit. As the former editor-in-chief of my high school magazine, I wasn’t used to that. I wish I could tell my freshman-year self that this happens to everyone, but maybe it’s better that I didn’t know. That moment pushed me to grow.

I also had some … ambitious expectations. I thought that if I wrote a standout opinion piece, I’d naturally become an Opinion editor. That didn’t happen. Ethan Albin got the position, and, to make matters worse, he was the one who had edited my article in the first place.

What followed was a three-year “rivalry” full of copy editing scuffles and friendly competition, like the secretary election. Looking back, I wouldn’t change that experience for anything; it made me work even harder, and little did I know that, nearly four years later, Ethan and I would be living together in our first apartment.

So, Ethan, thank you for being my rock this past year. You’ve made every tough decision easier, listened to every rant with patience and a genuine drive to help. You’ve been the Chronicle’s hidden hero more than once this semester. Few people would be as kind and understanding as you were when I woke you up to come to the Chronicle office at 2 a.m. to fix the layout. You never had to, but you always did. For that and so much more, I’m endlessly grateful.

I continued to work as a staff copy editor until their assistant applications came out, and this time, I got the position. In hindsight, this was always where I was meant to be. Julia Razzante, Antonia Moffa, Nell Stultz and Annabel Hofmann brought me in alongside Josie Racette. I’m so grateful for all they showed me that spring. To Nell, who continued to guide Josie and I for the next year, thank you. You taught me so much about copy editing and AP Style, and to this day I sometimes think, “What would Nell do about this one?”

Josie, my dear copy twin, I miss your presence so much in the office. We grew together and made this section what it is. We laughed, cried and made mistakes side by side, and I always knew I had you with me. Not having you around this year has been really weird, but I know you’re doing great things. Coming up in the Chronicle with another person at your side makes everything better, and I’ll always be grateful I had that.

The editorial board has arguably doubled in size from when I started, but even then, the room of people felt impossibly vast. It’s intimidating walking into the office not knowing anyone. I remember the first layout I attended. I got here earlier than anyone else on the copy team. I was so worried that I would do something wrong, say something stupid or make a fool out of myself. It’s funny looking back, knowing how much of a home the office became for me. To anyone new to the Chronicle reading this: It may feel overwhelming at first, but every person in that room is there for the same reason – to create something meaningful. You’ll find your place, just give it time.

During my time as copy chief, Josie and I had the privilege of hiring two of our own assistants, and they joined the fold just as we did, integrating seamlessly into the Chronicle.

Meredith Tarsi, you’ve been a friend of mine, not just in the Chronicle, but outside of it too, and I’m so glad you’ve been a part of my journey. When we brought you on as an assistant, I believed in you 100%. Your attention to detail, your “copy tweaking” and your uncanny knowledge of movie reviews will be deeply missed. The GoHofstra rosters fear you. Thank you for being such a great part of this team and being a great friend too.

Gianna Costanzo, despite your shyness in your interview, you’ve truly come into your own. You’ve shined in every position we put you in, from assistant, to copy chief, to secretary and now the incoming editor-in-chief. I’m so very excited to see what you will do in your time as editor-in-chief. If you make even half the impact you made on the copy team, I know this paper will be left in excellent hands with you and Hannah Mudry taking the lead.

Madison Demko, Emily Hyman, Paula Amoroso Lomelí, Ellen McCarville and Juliana Calcao, I know you all will do great things with the copy team. Remember, the AP Style guide is your friend, but pick your battles wisely. The copy team is very important to this paper. Take this lesson from experience: kindness and understanding takes you much further than “technical correctness.”

I would be remiss not to thank Makenzie Hurt, my wonderful predecessor as editor-in-chief, who is doing amazing things right now in law school. I remember our chats from last year fondly. I happily did anything I could do as business manager to support you, and you did the same in turn for me. You developed this paper into something beautiful, and I can only hope that I took what you did and made you proud with my efforts this year.

Ryan Monke, thank you for everything you’ve done for me and this paper this year. Truly, I couldn’t have done it without you, and I hope every editor-in-chief from now on can have a managing editor like you. You’re the good cop to my bad cop and a voice of reason when I need it. I wish you the best of luck after college – I know you’ll knock it out of the park.

To our advisor, Brian McFadden, thank you for everything you’ve done for me over the years. You’ve helped me so many times – not just within the Chronicle, but in my education as a whole. For this, I will always be so grateful.

To incoming leadership, I’m so excited to see what you all do with this paper and I fully believe in you all. You are all wonderful leaders, and I trust you to do great things.

While I may be graduating with a major in public relations and strategic communications, journalism has such a special place in my heart. I’ve been working in journalism for seven years now, and it’s clear to me that its landscape is changing. I’ve done my best during my time as editor-in-chief to consider the longevity of this paper, strengthening our digital presence through the website, app and other various forms of digital media. I’m proud of the way this paper has expanded and I know that it will continue to thrive for years to come.

For the Chronicle staff as a whole, you are all doing amazing, powerful work. In a time that print journalism is dying and journalism as a whole is under attack, know that you are still doing important work. As this paper goes into its 91st year, remember what you stand for and remember what you are capable of. Continue to share powerful stories.