My last semester working for The Daily Texan was unpredictable, but then again every semester at UT is. Kicking off senior year with a pandemic wouldn’t have been my first guess, but I wouldn’t have wanted to spend the semester anywhere else. 

Applying to the social media department my freshman year was the best decision of my college career. I still remember walking into the basement for the first time asking for Alex. If she hadn’t hired me, I wouldn’t have had the chance to work for the coolest department at the Texan or meet some of my best friends. I owe my years of tweets, endless livestreams and sleepless nights to her for giving me the opportunity. 

As classes moved online this fall, it was clear that this semester was going to be a brand-new experience. Even before classes began, our managing editor was dedicated to ensuring that it would be a good one. Megan carefully selected a stacked leadership team that was devoted to the Texan’s primary mission of keeping the UT-Austin community informed. I consider myself lucky that Megan let me be a part of it; working under her direction was the greatest reward. I don’t know a better coach, mentor or friend than Megan (The) Menchaca.

Leading digital operations this semester broadened my entire view of the Texan. When I first started as a social media staffer, I didn’t expect to find myself helping manage an entire newspaper. Before heading the department over the summer, Rebeccah selected me as her associate editor. It was her leadership example, which I could only hope to match, that prepared me for my role at the Texan. 

It wasn’t until I became digital director that I realized why I committed so many semesters to this organization and what I’ll miss the most — aside from playing ping-pong in the basement.

The best part of the gig has to be the people I got to meet and listening to the stories they had to tell. 

People like Hal, Katya, Ben, Nuzha and the entire digital staff managed to produce incredible content during such an unprecedented semester. Our side of the Texan operates a little differently, but I couldn’t have asked for a more creative and committed staff. 

Hal, your leadership far supersedes mine, and I can’t wait to see what you accomplish. Since UT can’t beat OU in football, at least we can make up for it in Twitter followers. Thanks to your dedication, we can humbly say we beat Alabama in something.

This semester was nothing like I expected when I first set foot on the Forty Acres, but I wouldn’t have traded the endless Zoom meetings for anything else. When they say there’s a place for you @thedailytexan, they mean it.