Bye, Circle. I Hope You Find Your Dad!

Bye! Photo by Ava Battinelli '26

It was a fall evening after my journalism skills class, and I was walking back to my house in Lower West with two classmates. We were talking about the Marist Circle, and I mentioned that I hadn’t been to a meeting in a year. I was overwhelmed with friends and sports during freshman year, and it had slipped through the cracks.

“You should come. It’s really fun, I promise,” my classmate said. 

So that night, I did. A now more confident sophomore version of myself, I pitched an article about “Night on Broadway.” It was so fun to write, and when I saw it in print, I was fully hooked. I had written for my high school newspaper (shout out to the WJ Pitch), but I wasn’t sure how it would translate in college. But after that meeting, I knew I could do it. 

From then on, I went to every Circle meeting. I wrote articles covering the Marist Poll trip, housing, guest speakers and more. I joined the editorial team for “For the Record” and wrote features about Alexis Lee and Keon Lee. Through these stories, I met so many interesting people around campus, and my world at Marist became bigger. I learned more about the university and the city of Poughkeepsie at large. 

In the fall of 2024, I became the Co-Arts & Culture Editor and a Multimedia Assistant. I wrote about AI, intermurals, sustainability efforts, presidential election results and LGBTQ+ life on campus. Then this year, I took on the roles of Co-Managing Editor and Co-Features Editor. I’ve written about the new campus shuttle, Dutchess County grants, local animal shelters, local elections and DEI at Marist. Now, the room I was so nervous to walk into is one of the places I feel the most at home. 

I’ve been honored to hold all of these roles, and I have learned so much from each one of them. Being a part of the Circle has allowed me to grow so much and provided me with so many opportunities for creativity and professional development. 

Thank you to all my professors who helped me grow my journalistic skills throughout my years here. Especially Jeffrey Basinger, Dr. Kevin Lerner, Brian PJ Cronin, Leander Schaerlaeckens and Kathleen McNulty. 

I know when I think back on my time at the Circle, I won’t think of all the articles I wrote, but instead the people I met here. I have worked with so many passionate, hardworking and talented writers and photographers through this club. We build each other up and make each other better. I’m so grateful to all the editors who have helped guide me, like Sam Murphy, Erin-Leigh Hoffman, Emma Denes, Andrew Breen, Erin Holton and Lizzie Baumgardner. 

I am especially grateful to The Circle’s staff this year. I’ve loved getting to know everyone and learning from each other. Thanks to my features co-editor, Owen Whelan, for everything he does for the paper. I know that The Circle is in good hands with him as editor-in-chief. Thanks to all of my fellow editors, especially Ciara Molloy, Hannah Tone, Eric Johnston, Ava Verret, Lilian DeFilippis, Emily Klena and Ethan Roy. You all made the meetings and office hours such a fun part of my week.

And thank you to Ava Battinelli, Ben Leeds and Emma Gaecklein. You all truly made this year so special. Not only are you all extremely smart, talented and creative people, but you are also great friends. For every local protest, class trip and wig wedding, I have loved being a team with you three. 

The Circle only exists because of the people who show up week in and week out. Thank you to all the staff writers who show up to every meeting, to all the graphic designers who create the pages for every issue, and to all the people who distribute the copies around campus. You make this paper what it is.

There are so many opportunities for people to shine, grow and develop through The Circle. I’m definitely biased, but everyone should try it out. You never know where it can lead you. 

Plus, I promise it’s really fun.