I’ve procrastinated on writing this. Partly because I’m a college student, but mostly because I don’t know what to say or how to say it. I’m far too attached to this place to be able to string words together in a coherent order to somehow serve as an ending. So bear with me — I’ve been more of an editor during my time here than a writer.
I’ve never been good at making decisions, but in my first two years at the UW I was convinced I had made the wrong choice, and I had not yet been able to find my place. But then, as good stories go, everything changed.
I took The Daily’s development class in winter of my sophomore year, was terrified of having to do interviews, and promptly dropped out to apply to be a copy editor.
After a quarter as a copy editor, I was encouraged to take the copy chief position come fall quarter. I threw out names of people I thought should have the job before me, but most all of them were graduating or moving on to other things. I took the leap, after a lot of convincing and debating, and am so thankful I did.
After a year as copy chief, with a quarter abroad in the middle, I suddenly found myself in the conversation for the Editor-in-Chief position. If you had told 18-year-old me, or even early copy editor me that I would be EIC, I would never have believed you.
I doubted it and denied everyone who told me I would be right for the job, but somewhere deep down I knew I wanted it. I love this paper, these people, these orange walls, and I have always wanted to do everything I could to keep this paper alive and thriving.
Earlier this week, I was coming home from a vacation when a flight delay stranded me in an airport for 12 hours. I read all the articles for the night on my phone and texted back and forth with the editorial staff. Though I was upset to be missing production, especially in my last week, I knew my staff had everything under control.
But this isn’t just a staff. It’s a family. We yell, argue, complain, tease each other endlessly, and spend at least six hours together every night. We are a room full of television characters with a new and exciting plot each night, something any television company could pick up and turn into a great success. We are hilarious. But I digress.
I would drop anything and everything to help one of my staff members and I know each and every one of them would do the same for me. I know because they already have.
The Daily has been my home, my family. While I’m scared for what comes next, I’m so proud of the capable people who will still be here and am excited to see what comes next. Thankfully, I’ll still be Editor-in-Chief in the summer, so I don’t have to cry about it now. Sorry, but that also means you aren’t getting rid of me quite yet.
I don’t say it enough, but I'm so proud of every single person who works at this paper and am constantly in awe of the work you do day after day in order to put out content, both in a daily print product and online.
Thank you to my staff for believing in me and trusting me all year. Thank you for surviving these hours in our orange, quote-covered room, thank you for your patience, and for your friendship. Most of all, thank you for allowing me to find my place at this big university, and thank you for being my home.
