I never imagined I’d run a newsroom.
To be honest, I never thought I’d be a journalist.
I’m timid. I’m shy. I’m slightly awkward. I’m nowhere near confident enough to run a staff of about 40 people and make editorial decisions on a daily basis.
But I did.
When I took on the role of editor in January, I led our first meeting, facing my fresh-faced staff, with a slight shake in my voice.
I quickly learned to stand behind each decision I made. I grew closer with my staff, and I began losing my hair.
I also lost a great amount of sleep, drank a lot of Karma Cream coffee and took naps in my office when I had the chance.
It was stressful.
Some nights, I’d leave the office crying and hating every part of my job. The angry reader phone calls, the lawsuit threats and the big-case stories all left me overwhelmed.
Most nights, though, I left with a smile on my face.
I began to realize that every moment I spent stressed and exhausted was not for me, but for my staff.
And above all else, for the good of the paper — for the readers.
Things got easier.
I began to get involved.
I dabbled in reporting — the first time since professor Foley’s dreaded class. I even had a photo printed in the paper.
I grew to love my staff members, who are not only my colleagues, but my friends. My family.
Sitting here now, I know that becoming the editor was the right decision.
Sure, it was hard. But it was worth it.
Working at the Alligator has been the highlight of my college years.
I will always look back on my experiences and memories I’ve shared in the dirty, sometimes smelly, newsroom because it was where I found my place. My niche. My people.
I will never forget our ceaseless budget meetings, awkward, speech-style staff meetings or adrenaline-driven breaking news coverage.
I will never forget Taco Tuesday runs, that time we made a “Harlem Shake” video or the extensive photo shoots.
Most important, though, I will never forget any of you. I couldn’t have done it without you.
I’m just not ready to move on.
So, until next time, see ya later, Alligator.
