The summer before my sophomore year, I was asked to cover meetings on the new Title IX coordinator finalists. Little did I know that one story would take over the rest of my reporting.

I spent a year up to my knees in Title IX and breaking news. I researched the law and court cases, read policies over and over and studied countless other articles on Title IX. Once I was immersed in that world, I couldn’t get out. I was passionate about this story, but it took everything out of me and a little bit more. I was writing better and more than I had ever before, but my mental health was declining fast. COVID-19 forced me to slow down.

Since then, I’m not sure if I’ve ever gotten back up to speed. I’ve tried my best, which is all I can do, right? My priorities and plans for the future have changed. I look back on what I wanted as a freshman: to be an investigative reporter at the Texan. I got there, but it doesn’t feel like I thought it would. Part of me wants to fulfil that freshman’s dreams. Part of me wants to let that go and start a new path.

Regardless, I wouldn’t be where I am now without the Texan. I came in having literally never written a journalistic article before, and now I’m covered in Texan clips. Thank you, The Daily Texan, for teaching me how to be a journalist. Thank you for making me ambitious. Thank you for showing me how to make a career of my writing.

Thank you to Megan, because I know you still read these. During my freshman year, my tryout story was covering the Rally for Life. It was the first march I’d ever covered, and I had to ride the bus by myself to the Capitol. I was so nervous about messing up the story or being too biased. You came up to me when I was studying at BMC and told me I did a good job. I couldn’t believe you even knew who I was. From then on, you mentored me and encouraged me and improved my reporting. I can’t thank you enough for your guidance.

Thank you to the survivors, activists and advocates who shared their stories and words of wisdom. Telling your stories has been the privilege of my life, and I hope I honored them in the way you deserve.

Thank you to the sources, the spokespeople, the anonymous tipsters and anyone I’ve ever interviewed. My stories only exist because of your willingness to speak.

Thank you my friends and family for supporting me and telling me to slow down. Thank you Kara for taking care of me this past semester. Thank you Liz for everything. Just everything.

This is my last story for the Texan and possibly my last story for a while. I’m okay with that now.

Sincerely,
The Title IX reporter
Squirrel girl
Grobe