As I write this, my time on staff at The Communicator is coming to an end after two years. I’ve worked on 18 issues of the newspaper and have made countless memories in the process.

My first quarter I was photo editor, a position I felt very comfortable in. There I could do exactly what was needed of me efficiently. I was then audio editor and before being thrown into my first major editor position.

The position of managing editor is a tough job that I wasn’t exactly prepared for. But I did my best and, to my surprise, ended up loving being in an editor position.

The next three quarters, I was editor-in-chief.

I’m a very introverted, passive person and don’t usually find myself as the leader of group projects or anything of that sort, so I had to quickly learn how to access that part of myself.

Through this experience, I found my passion for journalism as a whole. It was exciting being the first to tell a group of people about something that was happening, or was going to happen. I became more aware of the media and how I consumed my news. Quickly, I realized that I wanted to be the person who sought truth and reported it.

As I leave The Communicator, I think back on every issue I’ve worked on, every opportunity I’ve been given, and every friendship I’ve made during my time on staff.

In April 2019, our staff was given the opportunity to visit New York City and attend a college journalism conference. We learned about different types of journalism, major names in the industry, and got to

submit our newspaper for collegiate level awards. Coming out of the conference, we won an award, were closer as a staff and were more motivated than ever to produce papers that would have an impact on our campus.

After one year of being editor-in-chief, I’ve learned so much and gained so many valuable experiences that I wouldn’t trade for the world.

One of my favorite quotes is “I would rather die than live without passion.” The Communicator sparked passion in me, motivated me to keep going, and to pursue what I truly love to do.

I truly treasured every second on staff here, and would do it all over again if I could. I’ve invested hundreds of hours into The Communicator; I’ve started to describe it as ‘my baby’ because of how much I love it, how much I care, and all of the time I spend in the newsroom.

The newsroom has become my second home and as I pack up my things and leave this quarter, my heart hurts. But, I know that I’ll take what I’ve learned here and apply it to my future.

I want to thank the amazing journalism faculty at SFCC that have aided me in my time here. Pam Long for unlocking the newsroom for me at all hours of the day when I needed to get work done. Jason Nix for throwing me headfirst into the world of journalism and never letting me escape without an amazing photo, story, or experience. And Lindsey Treffry for teaching me about the world of professional journalism, inspiring my future career in journalism, and always being a friend.

Thanks for the great times and ink stains!