Outgoing Managing Editor, Henry Higuita, bids farewell to the KSU Sentinel staff and readers
“Don’t cry because it’s over, smile because it happened.” – Dr. Seuss
When I was still very new to The Sentinel, I read the Editor-In-Chief and Managing Editors’ farewells and thought to myself, “what will I say in my farewell? Should I make it emotional? Wise? Should I include a dozen puns and stupid jokes?”
Alas, the time has come to write mine and I had to sit here and stare at the screen for half an hour trying to come up with this opening. If you’re still with me, I promise it gets better.
I came into Kennesaw State with the intention of transferring to the University of Georgia after a year or two. Just go in there, get some credits, say, “hooty-hoo”, a few times and get out. Easy, right?
Turns out, plans change.
See, when I applied to join The Sentinel as a fledgling news writer, I didn’t read the fine print. The part where it said I was going to be entrusted with the responsibility of being the News Editor after four months of my first semester in college before assuming the role of Managing Editor the following fall.
I also missed the part where it said I was going to work with some of the most talented aspiring journalists I had ever met who poured their blood, sweat and tears (especially tears, lots of them) into producing the best paper we could.
Finally, I didn’t see the part where it said that I would forge strong bonds with the people at The Sentinel. We would laugh together, learn together and create unforgettable memories that I wouldn’t trade for anything in the world. Somehow, I completely skipped over the fine print that said I would find more than friends— I’d find a family.
So I stayed as long as I could, but now it’s time to say goodbye. Reflecting on my two years at the paper, I feel proud of what we have accomplished. I promised myself once I was accepted that I would leave the paper better than I’d found it. Although I think there’s still much work to be done, I believe I’ve kept my promise.
I’m grateful to have worked with Brie, our Editor-In-Chief during my tenure as Managing Editor. In many ways, I feel like we balanced ourselves out— myself being the more impulsive and charismatic person whereas she was the more patient and mild-mannered one. I grew a lot, both as a journalist and a person, by working with her and I’m happy to call her a close friend. Brie, if you’re reading this, I forgive you for making us late to the pumpkin launch.
I have had the pleasure of getting to meet Jackson and Erin this semester and have full faith in their abilities to lead The Sentinel next semester. I know they both come into this with passion and dedication. The paper is in good hands. My dear friends, here’s some parting advice: These will be some of the most memorable moments of your life, so enjoy every second of it. It’ll be worth it in the end.
I’ll never forget my time at The Sentinel. I look forward to seeing what our little college paper looks like in the future.
Thank you for everything, my Sentinel family.
– Signing off one last time,
Henry
