Word of the Week:

This will be my final column as News Editor of The Vista. It's been a long, rewarding road these past two years, but it is time to dedicate myself to other ventures. Before I go, I've got a few things to say; some things that never made it into columns and, of course, my annual goodbyes.
I don't think I have ever shared the story of my coming to be an editor on The Vista staff. My interest was sparked during Torero Days when my Preceptorial Assistant, Sam Woolley, told our preceptorial group that he was the Arts & Cuture editor and would appreciate any contributions to his section. I wrote a few pieces that year, even though it was so difficult for me to get to staff meetings that I earned my first speeding ticket trying to make it one week. I read the paper every Thursday, paying special attention to the Crime Report and reading Jilla's amazing advice with a little bit of awe. I knew I wanted to be more involved with the paper.
When applications were out, I snagged one. Liz Buckley interviewed me and asked what I wanted to do. I, perhaps lacking wisdom, implored her to give me the hardest job she could offer. That's how I became the News Editor. It took me about 16 issues to get this hellish job down to a science, and somehow in the process I fell in love with it.
I'll admit that I look forward to spending my senior year without the stresses of the news room, but at the same time I know I will miss the friendships forged over late press nights, coffee runs and server crashes.
To the graduating seniors, I can't thank you enough for sharing your wisdom and vision with me. Mary Beth, thanks for helping with tricky layout stuff. I wish you well at graduate school. Ryan Mulvey, you truly kept me sane in this office. Thanks for the great discussions and many, many cups of tea. I'm sure you'll knock their socks off in Boston. Lora, thanks for making my pages beautiful and for helping me steal that couch. Jillian, you already know you were my first college idol. Thanks for the weekly advice. Maggie, I am grateful to you for always sharing story ideas. Ryan Sidhoo, thanks for being the funny guy and for the amusing arguments with other members of the staff.
I will never forget my time with The Vista, and the opportunities and lessons it has brought. I'll still be around campus, tutoring in the writing center, debating politics and mentoring freshmen through the Preceptorial program. I wish the new staff all the best, and bid a fond farewell to the readers of this column.