My closing statements

Dearest Vista Readers,
In honor of our last issue of the year and to celebrate the graduating class of 2010, this week I have written a special emotionally charged, heartfelt column for you all.  To start if off correctly, here is an inspirational quote by Dr. Seuss I found by typing "inspirational graduation quote" into Google:
"You have brains in your head. You have feet in your shoes. You can steer yourself in any direction you choose. You're on your own. And you know what you know. You are the guy who'll decide where to go."
This issue not only marks the end of my stint as Assistant Editor of the Arts and Culture section, it is also the beginning of many of my "lasts" here at USD.  In a little more than two weeks I will be saying my last goodbyes to friends and faculty I have gotten to know.  For all of us seniors, soon our campus ID cards and parking permits will expire, our tassels will be hung from our rearview mirrors and the Alumni center will begin calling us to donate.  
 It seems as if it were yesterday that I was just a weird little 17-year-old freshman sitting nervously in my preceptorial biology class.  In the last four years the USD community has seen me receive a higher education, develop social skills  and go through a variety of bad haircuts.  USD has provided me with a place to drink coffee, a lawn to take naps on and lots of interesting people to learn from.  In return, I have seen many things come and go here at USD (remember the Grille?!).
I have had some great times in college and fear that entering into the "real world" will not have the charm and whimsy that these last four years at USD have added to my life. In many ways I have the urge to become disgustingly nostalgic and walk around campus with a boombox blasting Vitamin-C's "Graduation Song."  Although that would probably be the coolest thing that ever happened here on campus, I don't think that would correctly express my feelings.  I am extremely grateful for what I have received from USD, yet, at the same time I am smiling at the future and yearn for the impoverished, hard-working, post-college days ahead of me.
I would like to thank all of you who actually read my weekly installments of 400 words of dribble that I call a column and everyone who has in some way supported The Vista.  I would also like to show my gratitude to the communication studies department and all the awesome faculty that continue to inspire confused kids like me who aren't sure what, or where, they are going to do or be in life.  
Congratulations to those of you graduating and congratulations to everyone else for hanging in there and surviving finals.  
Sincerly Yours,
Justine Marzoni