Monday, the most hated day of the week. It’s the day that forces us back into the reality of long hours at work or school. For the past two years, my Mondays have been the exact opposite. For me, Monday is the best day of the week. It’s the day I get to spend with my staff producing the very newspaper that you are currently reading.
Thanks to Tumblr and harmless stalking made by former EIC Caitlyn Van Orden, I started my work with The Sentinel as Arts and Living editor in Dec 2010. I was terrified. I walked into my first production day, a week late thanks to the “Snowpocalypse,” and was quickly welcomed into The Sentinel family. Eventually I worked my way through various positions with Student Media, such as Photo Editor and Owl Radio Staff Manager, before taking on the position of EIC.
I’ve had the privilege of covering some pretty cool events and seeing some amazing things happen on campus. My favorite event to cover was the #SaveRichard rally. Seeing this campus so united was humbling and I’m honored to have been a part of it.
I’ve learned a lot about journalism through my work with The Sentinel. I got hands on experience as a reporter, a photojournalist, a copy-editor and a manager, but I can learn that almost anywhere. What I can’t get from the classroom is the lasting relationships I’ve made with members of Student Media.
I come to work every Monday and have the privilege of working with people that I consider family. We’ve bonded over deadlines, InDesign crashes, Nerf Gun wars, prank wars, New York and Miami trips and late night Karaoke sessions. The people I’ve worked with for the past two years made me who I am today.
Thanks to Meghan De St. Aubin for hiring me as a Talon writer when I came to Kennesaw in 2009, and for plugging me in with Student Media. Thanks to Professor Grindel for having faith in me as a writer and editor, no matter how many AP Style quizzes I failed, and helping me bring out the best in the newspaper. Thanks to Caitlyn Van Orden and Debbi Litt for being coworkers and confidants, and for giving me the best birthday I’ve ever had. Thanks to Reggie Joseph for adopting me as a sister, giving me valuable advice, and paying me money to do stupid things. Thanks to Carter Wilson for convincing me to run for EIC and listening to me ramble about all the ideas I had for the paper. Thanks to Brittany Wirsig for being the comedic relief during production and for our late night Monday chats. Thanks to Caleb Buxton and Amie Mowrey for doing incredible things with the advertising and distribution team, and making the newspaper more accessible to students! Thank you to my amazing section editors and design team for your consistent dedication and humor you bring to the office every single week. Thanks to my mom, Sheila Hope, for saving every copy of The Sentinel that I ever worked on and for not pushing me to get a job that pays better because you knew that I was doing what I loved.
Finally, a huge Thank You to Ed Bonza, recent Golden O’s Advisor of the Year recipient. Thank you for having faith in me as an editor, for encouraging me every step of the way, and for letting us attack your office with Nerf Guns on a weekly basis. You have made a significant impact on my life and on the lives of everyone who has the privilege to work for Student Media.
Being a part of this team and watching this newspaper grow has been an absolute honor. It’s been a life-changing experience that I wouldn’t trade for anything. I don’t even know what I’m going to do with my Mondays now! These people that I work with have given me so much joy in the past two years; I’m a happier person because of all of you. So thanks for the “lolz” guys, you’re nuts.
