I’ll be honest, I wrote this the day it was due. 

I put it off for as long as I could, completely unable to wrap my head around the fact that my time at Hofstra and at the Chronicle is coming to an end. I know everyone says the time flies but believe me when I tell you they’re not joking. 

I joined the Chronicle staff my sophomore year, too terrified and unsure of myself to write hard news stories, but driven enough to try to turn the things I loved into articles for the Arts & Entertainment section. I watched the paper’s managing staff with an overwhelming awe, astounded by the work they put in and the publication they got out, these journalists and editors who felt so far above me I could never reach them. Recovering from the rocky start that was freshman year, and inspired by the warm comfort of a dingy off-campus basement, I felt myself fill with this impossible giddiness at seeing my work published, even if it had only been coverage of a local house show. If you had told that kid that they would be the managing editor of the paper their senior year, they would have laughed in your face. 

This paper has given me many things: headaches, a melatonin dependency, caffeine-induced jitters, a heightened love of Milano cookies, a boatload of new friends, an eye for detail, an invigorated hatred of fluorescent lights, and enough anxiety to fuel New York’s power grid. But it’s also given me confidence and self respect that sophomore year me could only think to dream about. 

For every agonizing and frustrating unanswered email, I made a breakthrough. For every lost source, I found a solid soundbite. For every issue that was important to me, I made it my responsibility and pleasure to do what I could to inform people and connect with the student body. And for all that this paper has given me, I hope that I’ve been able to return a fraction of that appreciation in my work. 

During my time as the managing editor, I’ve been lucky enough to work alongside our secretary and features editor, Julian Rocha, and our editor and chief, Anthony Roberts. Stepping into this role completely uncertain and with imposter syndrome settling in, you two have been solid anchors with good judgment who I knew I could rely on, even if taking the helm of the Chronicle from Micaela, Vis, and Jess, hoping and praying that we could do a fraction of the good work their team had done, was heart-stopping. Like, seriously, how could we be in charge of this award-winning paper? Thankfully, we’ve had a good team supporting us. 

The satisfaction of seeing your work published is nice, but it pales in comparison to the joy of being able to work alongside our editorial staff. Even if no one takes theme nights as seriously as Eleni wishes they did, this paper is staffed by some of the funniest, most hard working people I’ve ever met. Their eye for and dedication to high quality work, and their willingness to work with us to improve the publication is unparalleled. While I won’t miss falling into bed at three a.m., still buzzing from a large coffee and flipping through the newest issue in my head looking for errors, I will miss spending my Monday nights with these people. 

To the new leadership: you guys will do fine, I couldn’t have chosen a better team to succeed us. Your compassion, dedication, and work ethics are enviable, and I know for a fact that you’ll bring this paper to new heights. I promise, it’s not as hard or scary as it seems, and you’ll always have the guidance of the past leadership when you need help. 

Now for the thank-you’s and frantically wiping away tears as the realization that This Is Real sets in! A massive thank you to the professors who introduced me to the nitty-gritty of reporting, who shaped my journalistic approach and lit the fire that made me want to be a reporter to inform the public. A doubly massive thank you to one Professor Brian McFadden (as well as Not-Brian McFadden) for his guidance, his support, his mountains of snacks and coffee to keep the staff going, and his willingness to work with us and follow our lead in making the paper our own. The paper is in good hands – take a nap every once in a while, please, good sir.

Additionally, thank you to the clubs and organizations who have given me a space to grow and learn more about myself, from laughing until my sides ached, red-faced and scandalized with Nonsense Humor Magazine, to my long, beloved tenure of writing and editing with the English Society, to still having the symphony rattling around in my skull despite all these semesters in Zeta Phi Eta. No matter how much I’ve done, I wish I had been able to do more, but I’m proud of what I’ve accomplished, and forever grateful for the people I’ve met along the way. 

I find myself approaching graduation like I’m walking a plank, approaching an edge that I can’t see the bottom of, while watching the world burn around me. Journalism, and by extension the Chron, are about community, and I think it’s only through our support of one another that we can create change. May the future still be there when we get there, and I hope that it’s kind to all of us.