Editor’s Note: Traditionally, graduating seniors working at The Collegian are given the chance to write a farewell note at the end of their tenure at CSU.

I am, by no means, a journalist.

I overuse em dashes, voice type almost everything I send, and I am a gold medalist in defending the Oxford comma. So as I try to reflect on this experience, listening to an hourly generated introspective mix on Spotify hoping, somehow, that will help me set the mood internally, I find myself struggling. 

Part of that is obvious. I’m surrounded by people here who are journalists. People who know how to distill years into paragraphs, people who make it look easy. And then there’s the other part: trying to encompass years of memories, growth, and late nights into fewer than 800 words is harder than I expected. Shocker.

My role here is about impact. 

And what I’m realizing is that this paper, these people, have impacted me more than I think I’ll ever fully comprehend. They invited me into a completely different side of the university, exposed me to perspectives and experiences I wasn’t aware of and never would have imagined I would have access to but ended up being exactly what I needed.

When I first started on this team, I felt behind. Zero training, pretty much building a position from the ground up, needing to learn complex softwares — to say I was lost is an understatement. But from day one, I was trusted, welcomed and given the space to figure it out.

And we did.

More than 15,000 new readers found The Collegian. That matters, not because of a number but because of what it represents. It speaks to the reach of the work and the weight these stories carry when they’re told well. 

Along this journey, I’ve made friendships that will last with me forever. 

I can hear Sam and Cait’s laughs. Aubree’s “hello.” Assume Emma, Christian and Willow’s movie takes. Ruby’s hug. Katie contemplating quitting one of her 10 jobs or canceling one of her ridiculously overpriced subscriptions. 

And underneath all of that — everyone’s care.

Not in the sense that every day was easy or perfect. But we cared about doing things right, about people and about telling stories with integrity, empathy and justice. About bringing attention to what matters and making sure it didn’t go unnoticed.

There’s something rare about being surrounded, every day, by young intelligent people who care that deeply. Not just about the work, but about each other and the world.

And I think that’s what I’ll carry most with me, not just what we built here, but who I got to build it with.

Goodbyes are hard; this one might be one of the hardest. Not because I’m afraid of what’s next, but because I know exactly what I’m leaving behind.

Some of the most creative, thoughtful, sharp, and genuinely good people I’ve ever met work at this paper. People who make you better just by being around them. People who will probably never realize how much they’ve shaped everyone else in that room.

I was lucky enough to sit among them, learn from them and grow up with them in real time. The intelligence in that bullpen is unmatched. I cannot wait to see what everyone goes on to accomplish.

To my sidekick, the wonderfully talented, amazing, and grounded Isabella Trinchero: What a team we make. I could not have done half of my job without your creative genius. I am so blessed by your friendship and to have had you alongside me throughout this journey — we did it. To the Michael Jordan and Scottie Pippen of this whole operation: Allie Seibel and Hannah Parcells. Thank you for seeing something in me that made you think I was the right person to expand this scope. Thank you for giving me this opportunity and the chance to free reign explore the world of digital. You both inspire me like no other. I cannot wait to cheer you on as you live out your legal dreams and future endeavors.

Every content meeting starts the same way: nopes and dopes of the week, otherwise known as the worst parts and the best parts. As the self-appointed personality hire, I live for that shit. So Collegian, thank you for the memories, friendships, and confidence.

I hope you all think of me when you lose an airpod or watch any movie ever. Grateful is an understatement.

You, my friends, are — and forever will be — my biggest dope.