November 7, 2024

Endings are perhaps one of the strangest feelings of all. They are not simply an occurrence, but a cocktail of conflicting emotions tugging at me: nostalgia, relief, loss, excitement, fear and an emptiness that is both gaping and eager. I have felt it on long flights home from grand trips that have taken me away from reality for a time. I have felt it as I watch friends move across the country — or across the world — to gain experiences that I will not be a part of. Now, after 15 issues of The Banner — one and a half years — as your editor-in-chief, it is time for my era to come to an end.

When I first walked into a bustling meeting in the newsroom in the basement of the James Building freshman year, I almost didn’t come back. But four year later, I can confidently say I would have regretted that decision. Though I would have dodged 2 a.m. nights during print weeks and long days in the basement, I would have never met many of the lovely people who have believed in my vision for the newspaper and shared in my passion for it.

I would like to thank my Banner staff for being the best group of humans I could have asked for as a staff during my final semester as EIC. I will miss the lively chatter at our meetings and seeing the passion each of you have when writing about topics you care about.

To my section editors, thank you for showing up consistently and putting in hard work on tight deadlines. I will always cherish our late-night talks and designing each issue alongside you guys. You made each minute of lost sleep worth it.

I would like to thank Casey Maldonado for always having her door open for a chat.

Thank you to the professors who shared their knowledge and expertise with me in interviews over the years. I have loved learning from you and having the opportunity to meet faculty members I would have never met had I not written articles for The Banner.

I would like to thank you, the readers, for taking the time to look at this newspaper that we spend hours prepping every two weeks. I hope you have gained something, learned something or read something you loved during my time here.

Finally, I would like to thank The Banner itself. It was not always easy. There were bumps, storms and ups and downs along the way, but ultimately, it allowed me to grow. From creating the Banner Busters column that I love so much in Lifestyle (flip to page 7 right now to read it) to sharing strong opinions on Chick-fil-A and unpaid internships, this newspaper has allowed me to develop as a designer and a leader. Most of all, though, it has allowed me to do what I love most: to write.

The Banner has been a piece of my identity for years, and now it is time to let go. For so long, EIC of The Banner has been something I am; now, it is becoming something I was.

For once, I am out of words. So, for the last time, thank you for reading.

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