Editor’s note: This article first appeared in the August 9, 2022 flip book. 

I almost chickened out of being a copy editor. If my younger self could see me now, as copy desk chief, she would be beside herself in disbelief. Essentially, during my initial tryout for copy, I had a slight nervous breakdown. I found the tryout environment to be so stressful that I convinced myself I wasn’t cut out for copy editing. Therefore, following my tryout, I promptly sent a very dramatic email to Phoebe, the copy desk chief at the time, rescinding my application and asserting I was not a good fit for the position. 

Yet, Phoebe, in all of her generosity and kindness, saw potential in me and encouraged me to give copy a shot. So, out of everyone at the Texan, I need to first say thank you to Phoebe for having faith in me at such a low point in my Texan career. You led the copy department with such grace for so many semesters, and I can only hope that I held a candle to you as copy desk chief.

Providence then sent me an angel in the form of Irissa, my desk lead during my first semester. Irissa, thank you for absolutely everything. You were the most incredible mentor and an even better friend. Thank you for making me feel that I had a meaningful place at the Texan, even as I was just starting out. You showed me the importance of encouragement and affirmations, and your leadership style will always be one that I hope to imitate.

If it’s not evident already, the people who work at the Texan make the newspaper what it is. Speaking of, Mantra, thank you for literally transforming the basement into a better, more joyous place to be with your jokes, laugh and thoughts. I would sit through hundreds of copy meetings just to hear one of your hot takes: I mean that. I can’t wait to see all that you do, and I hope you are running this paper one day.

Lana, thank you for letting me text you around 100 times a day about everything under the sun. There is no one else I would have wanted to brave Zoom icebreakers with. You were the most amazing co-copy desk chief, and I am going to miss working with you dearly.

Of course, I have to thank and apologize to any and all who my editing has adversely affected — specifically my boyfriend and my parents. I am sorry for all of the extended pauses that followed when you asked me a question because I was only half listening. I also apologize for all the times I had to edit at dinner and out at breakfast that one time. But, seriously, thank you Matthew for being my rock through it all, and thank you mom and dad for encouraging me every step of the way.

Finally, thank you to everyone in the copy department who I didn’t have time to name specifically. It has been such an honor to work with you all, and your futures are so bright.

Also, as one final confession: Sports stories get a bad rap in the copy department, but they have always been my favorite articles to edit.

As always: Hook ‘em.