Thank You for the Good and the Bad

Photo by Rebekah Hendricks

I came into Marist College too shy for my own good to join this paper while having a deep passion for journalism. I got in my own way of success and further excellence of what I wanted to do in the future as an underclassman. That all changed junior year and now I get the privilege of writing a senior send-off. 

I took on an article where I had to talk to a lot of strangers, a skillset that I had no interest in using at the time. I threw myself in the deep end, but that’s the best way I learn with anything, academically or with life. From that point on, I just marched forward with a “fake it till I make it,” attitude. And did it get me far because if it wasn’t for that, I wouldn’t be writing this. 

I fell in love with the city/national section as a staff writer. Pitching stories became addicting to me because of stories I was itching to write, knowing I had a particular angle in mind. The former editor of this section, Emily Stellakis ‘24, was always a great help and mentor with her editing and suggestions for my work. Taking her notes seriously, I kept going. 

When the opportunity to apply as an editor opened, I took my chances on seeing if I could become an editor, not holding my hopes high and telling myself, “You haven’t written long enough for them to get it, but you can say you tried.”

Now, I’m here and it’s been such a rewarding experience as a student, an editor and a journalist. Like the rest of us, I’ve had my moments where I wanted to slam my laptop shut during editing week. Balancing this hectic senior year, other board positions, a weekend job and the paper was a lot, but I managed. Even now as I try to wrap up my senior year on a good note all while completely stressing over assignments, I’m still finding enjoyment within the chaos.

I was granted the bonus of having a good friend of mine, Erin-Leigh Hoffman ‘24, be by my side during this new experience for me and give me her Marist Circle wisdom. Transitioning from our summer internship at the Highlands Current to this has made it all the more comfortable for me to get adjusted last semester. Another familiar face I see almost every day, Laratee VanNieuwenhuyze ‘24, became a recurring writer in my section, and I’ve been able to watch her writing flourish with each story she took on. I know both these women will make it far into life and find success however, they choose to define their own success. 

The School of Communication and the Arts has brought so many great professors who have become mentors in my life for how to model my future. I’m going to miss the guidance Professor McNulty has given me since I was a sophomore in her classes, encouragement from Professor Basinger to keep going with our futures in journalism, and Professor Fasolino for helping me expand other possibilities within what I’m capable of outside of journalism. 

All the nights spent at the James A. Cannavino library till closing, some of which were graced by the presence of Sasha Tuddenham ‘24 last semester, where we shared cookies and played Taylor Swift in the collaboration rooms. All the many coffee trips made to fuel me and meet deadlines on time throughout the years. These were my silver linings through the chaos I had to experience and I’ll forever cherish them.