Megan and the city

I grew up with reruns of “Sex and the City” on every TV in my house. It was the show my mom always put on as she did her morning chores. I followed my mom around as I absorbed every bit of knowledge Carrie Bradshaw and her girl group shared. 

I’m not much like Carrie. I dream of owning a closet half as fabulous as hers, and I would love a cushy writing job where I only produce one column a week and can still afford to live in New York. 

We do have a few things in common: We’re both blonde writers whose romantic histories resemble a horror movie more than a romantic comedy.

But otherwise, I would like to think I’m more well-adjusted and funny than the Mr. Big-obsessed fashionista who has shaped the cultural zeitgeist for women since the 90s.

However, I did manage to copy one admirable aspect of Carrie’s life: I have a supportive group of friends who guide me through love and life. 

Most of these friends were made at The Alligator, where for the last three years I have spent my Sundays (and my Tuesday and Thursday evenings). 

As I changed, and the news industry continued to change, I couldn’t help but wonder: What is keeping me in journalism? Why stay at The Alligator? 

That’s when I realized you come to The Alligator for the experience, but you stay for the people. 

To Claire Grunewald, my journalism mother, thank you for taking a chance on me as an inexperienced sophomore: I owe it all to you. 

And to Aidan Bush, Siena Duncan and Alissa Gary, thank you for taking me under your wing and teaching me the foundations of journalism. 

To Ella Thompson, Nicole Beltran, Kylie Williams, Garrett Shanley, Sophia Bailly and Madilyn Gemme: I don’t think I would have survived my junior Spring without your love and support. Every day, your drive and talent inspires me. Not only are y’all amazing journalists, you’re all the most compassionate people I’ve ever met. I’m lucky to get to call you my close friends.

And to Luke Adragna, thank you for making my sports writing dreams come true. You’re an amazing journalist and an even better friend.

This semester I’ve been lucky enough to help lead a team of talented editors who make putting together this paper possible. They are all the most hardworking people I’ve ever met.

Ava DiCecca, our fearless sports editor, I admire the care and love you put into your writers; they’ve all grown tremendously under your guidance. Max Bernstein, assistant sports editor, please never lose your infectious, positive attitude. 

To our double trouble, the Sofias, your smiles lit up the room each week. Avery Parker, the Caimán editor, your dad jokes kept even the dreariest of print nights sunny. 

Noah Lantor and Bayden Armstrong: I will never be able to thank y’all enough for the amount of work it takes to lead the multimedia desk. You guys make it look effortless. 

Corey Fiske, the arts extraordinaire, your dry and quick-witted humor carried me through the semester. I’ll miss laughing with you each week. Vera Lucia Pappaterra, the enterprise editor, I’ll never forget our time studying abroad, drinking vinho verde and exploring Lisbon. I’m so proud of all you do.

Bailey Diem, the metro mafia leader and my best friend, I love you. There’s not enough words in the dictionary to describe how fantastic you are. I’m so excited to watch you lead this paper.

Pristine Thai, the senior news director and copy desk warrior, you have the hardest job at this paper. Yet, you show up each day with a kind smile and warm hugs. I don’t know how I’ll survive my first job without you around for emotional support. 

To Sara-James Ranta, the talented digital managing editor, thank you so much for bringing back the podcast. It turned out beautiful. Your talent and service inspire me every day.

And lastly, to my rock, the girl who talked me off the ledge and supported me all semester, Editor-in-Chief Zoey Thomas, I couldn’t have done this without you. You’re the Ella Langley to my Megan Moroney. Although we may need to visit a few Alcoholics Anonymous meetings after the amount of drinking we did to handle this job, I am so proud of what we built together. 

And just like that, we did it — we made a paper! 

Megan Howard was the Spring 2026 Engagement Managing Editor.

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