I consider myself a sentimental person, especially when writing about what has been an integral part of my college career. When I first sat in The Hofstra Chronicle office in May 2023, listening to seniors speak about their time at the paper, the tradition of writing send-offs was introduced to me, and I began thinking about it a lot. Over the three years I have been at the Chronicle, I’ve had ideas pop up on how I wanted to write this but decided I would let myself write it during my last semester at Hofstra University because it would feel better coming from my present-day self.

My first article for the Chronicle was published just 14 days after my first day of classes on Sept. 14, 2022 and was about Harry Styles’ residencies at Madison Square Garden. I remember being so nervous about pitching it because it would be my first piece of published work. Seeing the article in print enforced my sense of belonging not just at Hofstra, but also in the field of journalism. 

At my first layout, I remember feeling so nervous because I knew I would be walking into a room with people who had more experience than me both in journalism and in late-night layouts. That all changed when I was greeted by then Sports editor Frankie DiCalogero, who called me Abby Lee Miller because my first name is Abby. That was when I realized layouts could be filled with just as much, if not more, laughter and joy than anxiety and fear.

I will forever remember the times I played the Roblox game “Dress to Impress” with former Features editor Zoe Casselman as we waited for the copy team, managing editor and editor-in-chief to give a final look to our layouts. 

The Chronicle has guided me toward opportunities that I never would have thought possible four years ago, such as attending a movie screening and college roundtable for “After the Hunt” and interviewing “The Voice’s” Season 14 winner Brynn Cartelli for her debut album. I have been so grateful to write 26 articles for the Arts & Entertainment (A&E) section and one personal essay for the Features section. What I love most about the A&E section is how it gives me a place to fangirl and deep-dive into my interests in entertainment, no matter if it’s television, music, film or something in the pop culture world. 

Since I got the role as an assistant in May 2023, I’ve treated the A&E section as my baby. I wanted to make sure I was bringing my best ideas and my best effort to learn Adobe InDesign to the table each layout. This space has helped me understand that entertainment journalism is what I want to pursue after graduation, even if the field might be tough to break into. The Chronicle has also helped me become a better writer and leader as I navigated Adobe InDesign, copyediting, managing our staff writers and writing last-minute articles to make sure our section was able to produce a full layout.

I remember when I was little, watching compilation videos of One Direction and Taylor Swift interviews and thinking of what questions I would ask them if given the opportunity. Part of me found that being a writer for the A&E section helped make that version of myself proud while the other half hopes that this is just the beginning.

To Vanessa Flanagan and Kimberly Lopez, our newest A&E Editors, I am so excited to see what you are able to bring to the section. Already, they’ve implemented ‘Editor’s Picks’ where we choose a piece of recent media we’ve enjoyed. I can’t wait to watch your confidence grow and see what you’re writing about and reviewing until you graduate. 

To Matt Fisher, thank you for all the laughs you’ve provided me with since you stepped foot onto Hofstra’s campus. Being able to work with you at the Chronicle and see you grow has been so much fun. I’m going to miss your quick wittiness and time spent both in the Chronicle office and through events in Zeta Phi Eta, Hofstra’s co-ed pre-professional communications fraternity on campus.

To Paige Sanacora, I will dearly miss us waiting for Matt to walk through the door at layout and I apologize for not going to Rome last summer. When we were looking for assistants, it was kismet that you would become one for the A&E section as I don’t know what we would do without your deep knowledge of books, interest in Scooby Doo and your Adobe InDesign knowledge of kerning. 

To Craig Mannino, thank you for bringing in more silliness to the A&E team and hopefully your Google Calendar can rest easy after Sunday, May 17. Your Hofstra ghost will have a place in the Chronicle office.

To Kat Salmon and Aidan Judge, thank you for taking me in as an assistant and teaching me the ropes to what would become one of my favorite things I’ve been a part of at Hofstra. With Kat graduating in May 2023, Aidan was there for most of my time in this section and helped introduce me to the world of AP Style and Adobe InDesign while simultaneously becoming one of my great friends at Hofstra.  

To Brian McFadden, who I have only seen in person a couple of times, I don’t think I could thank you enough for the amount of snacks you have provided the Chronicle staff. There is no better pick-me-up than whatever selection of snacks you have provided us to get through layout.

I know that by the time September rolls around, and I’m not in the Chronicle office joking around with the A&E staff or freaking out because Adobe InDesign is being difficult, I’m going to wonder where the past three and a half years of my life went. I will always look back with fondness on the late-night laughs on Monday nights, the adrenaline rush to finish layout on Sundays and everything in between until the end of time. Being the sentimental person I am though, this isn’t something I will section off as a phase of my life; the Chronicle will be a part of me personally and professionally no matter where I end up.