Call it cliché, but I’ll always remember April 30, 2015 like it was yesterday.

I remember seeing everything differently as I walked back to the Student Publications building post-interview as the new editor in chief of my college newspaper. I looked at the campus in a new light, considering the fact that I would be responsible for covering whatever went on around it during the upcoming year. I arrived at the Student Publications building and looked at it as my new sanctuary from this point forward. But it wasn’t until walked into the Nicholls Worth newsroom for the first time as editor and looked at the little glass office in the corner of the room that it truly became real for me. I knew that space would be where I would feel every emotion that was to be expected in a student leader position. Although I wasn’t sure if I was prepared for all of it, I knew that I couldn’t wait to begin this endeavor.

Although I remember it as so, yesterday was not the day that marked the beginning of my adventure as editor. In actuality, it marked the last time that I would be sitting in my little glass office on a production night as editor. It was the last time that I would look out at the newsroom and see the staff members who were hard at work as my own. But just as I saw things differently a year and some change ago when I first became editor, I see them differently now as I prepare to say goodbye to my little glass office and all the feelings that were felt and all the situations that took place within it.

Rewind back to two years before becoming editor was even a thought in my mind. I was offered my first position at The Nicholls Worth as a social media manager, which I naturally accepted due to my considerably obnoxious addiction to anything social media related. Anyone who knew me then can testify that I was probably the last person you’d think would return on staff year after year, only to eventually call the shots. My shy personality along with my behind-the-scenes job led me to be a running joke around the office. I was often considered someone who didn’t do anything work-related and was often questioned as to what my job even entailed. I took the criticism lightly for a year until I decided that I would return on staff the following semester by taking a stab at a position that I knew nothing about but was more than willing to learn, design and layout.

The following year was the start of my personal and professional revolution that eventually led me to realize my potential as editor. Something so simple as finding the right fit for me at the paper caused such a drastic change in myself as a staff member and as a person in general. I found myself possessing such an intense passion for design and layout that I began to realize just how much I was helping the paper and in turn how much the paper was helping me. I couldn’t stop myself from helping in any way that I could because I realized that The Nicholls Worth was so much more than just a college newspaper, it was a publication that allowed students to work together to gain invaluable experience and create strong bonds while doing it.

I knew that it was impossible to explain the feeling that I got whenever I walked into the newsroom every day. I knew that everyone on the outside was missing out on the opportunity of a lifetime to work closely with so many unique people who ultimately shared the same goal, to produce something that would make a difference and something that they could be proud of. But what I did know was that I wanted to contribute my talents in making the paper the best that it could be for the student body as well as make it possible for everyone to have the opportunity to feel what I feel every week when we send our finished product off to print; therefore, I knew that the only way I could do that was to try my luck at applying for editor.

If there was any fear or doubt to be had in the process of applying, it was certain that I had already thought about it multiple times. I knew that I couldn’t prove myself worthy of the position without having ample experience under my belt, especially when the only positions I had held didn’t relate to writing or staff management; however, under the guidance and support of my editor Sean Ellis, I spent the remainder of the spring 2015 semester gaining experience in virtually every position around the office so that I could confidently say that I knew what I was getting myself into.

Fast forward back to April 30, 2015 when being what my fellow coworkers call an “overachiever” paid off, I was able to take a step back and realize where I had started and where I had worked my way up to. If it weren’t for realizing the full potential of being a staff member of The Nicholls Worth, I would have never realized just how much I’m capable of. In previous years, I’ve seen staff members come and go by choice, probably not realizing what they were leaving behind and missing out on. Personally, I pity those people for failing to realize just how life changing it is to be involved in not only The Nicholls Worth, but in any student organization. Luckily for me, I know I found the organization that was the most beneficial and deserving of my time and effort.

If my feelings aren’t obvious enough by now, I think it’s safe to say that I owe so much not only to The Nicholls Worth but to all the remarkable people that make up Student Publications as well. Without The Nicholls Worth, I would have missed out on so many opportunities to show my skills and talents while working up confidence for my future career. Without the people that make up Student Publications, I would have missed out on all the unconditional support and friendship that has been there for me through both the good times and the bad times as editor.

These good times and bad times have shaped the way that I feel about my experiences working here, especially as editor. It’s probably expected that this job might not be the easiest one to handle, but no one tells you just how difficult it can be sometimes. Most people will look at the paper and only see mistakes, not hours of dedication that was put into it. Nothing prepares you for the criticism and scrutiny that comes at any given time, regardless of how much effort you and your staff puts in. Between the newspaper and the yearbook, this year has been tough due to common issues and misunderstandings that we wouldn’t have heard about otherwise if it weren’t for indirect social media rants; however, these bad times and many others like them do not define us and they certainly have not discourages us because we know the truth behind our work.

Despite the bad, I don’t think I’ve ever met such an efficient and supportive group of people like this year’s staff. Nothing means more in the world to me than walking into work and seeing the degree of teamwork that the staff displays. Despite the hardships, we have made it through together. For those reasons and many others, I hope you all consider everyone here as family.

During the first day of staff training over the summer, I looked out at all the blank, unfamiliar faces of my new staff members and I felt uncertain of whether or not I was going to be successful as their leader. As I sit in my little glass office now, I look out and see the same faces and wonder how I ever could have felt that way. I look at them and see so much talent, potential, and success. I’m pleased to know that I played some part in that, but it makes me even happier to know that these people will continue to succeed long after I’m gone.

To my staff, I hope you never doubt whether or not someone is proud of you. You all have not only met, but exceeded my expectations. I knew that becoming editor was going to be one of the greatest opportunities of my life, but I never realized just how much your dedication and enthusiasm would make this position worthwhile. At the end of the newsweek, most people just see the end result of the paper. What I see goes much deeper because I know what you all put into it. I have spent more time with all of you than anyone else this past year and for that I consider you all family. You are the people that I’ve laughed with, cried with, stayed up all night with, and shared so many personal experiences with. Because of that, nothing makes me happier than to see you all thrive.

The Nicholls Worth has provided me with an opportunity to be everything I wanted to be. I was given the opportunity to be a boss but I wanted to turn it into an opportunity to be a leader, a mentor, and above all a friend to an outstanding group of people. The Nicholls Worth provided me with a home, a family, and so many opportunities. Although I’ve only editor for a year, it feels like a lifetime. I’ve experience so much while working with my staff that it feels like I’ve known them forever.

As I prepare to send off my final paper as editor, I feel different. I feel like I’ve experienced so much within a year that I’ve known my staff for a lifetime. I feel like I’m on top of the world not only because we made it though the year, but because we succeeded. This paper has become a part of me, and everything that has happened between the beginning and end of my time here has been an adventure. But although things will be different once I send off the last paper with my name on it, I know one thing will never change: the impact that it made here year after year.

I can say from experience that this paper helps people to grow and become the person they want to be. It gives them courage and opportunities and because of that, I will forever be an advocate of The Nicholls Worth.