Mallory Biggar
sfcc.mallory.biggar@gmail.com
I hate when these things start with clichés, but it’s proving to be difficult to say goodbye without them.
I guess I’m supposed to gush about how being a part of The Communicator has changed me, but really the only thing that’s changed is that now when I text phony hyperbolic statistics I’ll say “you annoy me 99 percent of the time,” rather than “you annoy me 99% of the time.”
Sure, I’ve been able to do some pretty cool things in my time here: I interviewed a fairly famous Swedish metal band (whose music I hadn’t listened to until I received the assignment), and a former Super Bowl champion (who definitely let me wear his ring). I ended up in New York City, and the trip only cost me about $15. Bill Clinton himself politely shook my hand and then proceeded to blow me off. I put my press pass on and it was like putting on the One Ring, except instead of making me invisible it made people want to invite me to things and give me free stuff.
This all sounds like not-so-humble bragging, but it’s actually a thinly-veiled attempt to convince everyone who reads this that student journalism is the path for them.
To be fair, it’s not just about the cool things; unfortunately, a lot of hard work goes into earning all the good stuff. But if I can do it, certainly anyone reading this can as well.
What’s more meaningful than anything I’ve previously mentioned are the relationships I’ve built with my peers. Our Editor-in-Chief, Jeremy Logan, is simultaneously like your cool big brother who shows you lots of great punk bands and your mother who tells you to sit up straight and get your feet off the table. I couldn’t ask for anyone better to look up to. In fact, he was the very first person on staff to tell me he liked my writing. I wouldn’t be here right now without him.
It also doesn’t hurt to have a great teacher like Jason Nix. He’s the kind of teacher that pushes you when you need to be pushed, lets you make the mistakes you need to make to learn, and ultimately supports you after you’ve made those mistakes. I’m proud to say that he is the best instructor I’ve had in my college career thus far. If you want your writing to suck less, see Jason.
Being on the staff of this publication has given me so many opportunities, but mostly it’s taught me how to believe that I belong in these situations. I belong back stage; I belong in the corporate offices. I am here and I belong.
I am also incredibly grateful for every single encounter that I’ve had with people in the last 18 months – even the not-so-pleasant ones. I’ve learned from them and I’m better because of them.
Most importantly, I wholeheartedly believe in the role of the student press on campus. It’s our job to present the facts when no one else does. It’s not our job to tell people what to think, but to give them the context in which to think for themselves.
Integrity is our most important value, but at the length, truth will out.