Four weeks into my first semester at the Texan, I tried to quit. I’d applied on a whim and had no clue how difficult it would be. Seven semesters later, I’ve learned so much and made friends I hope to know for a lifetime. I am immeasurably grateful for the people who have made the Texan an experience I’ll never forget.

First, to my columnists, I’m so proud of the work that you’ve done and the issues you’ve covered. Your ideas are so much better than mine were when I started, and I’m excited to see what you do next — whether or not it’s at the Texan.

To my illustrators, I’m always amazed by the art that you create and your ability to interpret my vague Trello descriptions. Thank you for bringing our ideas to life. Carly, I remember the illos you created for my very first columns. I thought you were incredible then, and I still do. Schuyler, I’m so grateful to have worked with you these last three semesters. This department runs because of you. Thanks for taking my frantic late-night calls and last-minute illo requests.   

Emily, I wouldn’t be here without you. Thanks for asking me to apply and giving me my first job as a columnist. Hairuo, you were my first friend at the Texan, and I’m so grateful you refused to let me quit. Izzy — my first (and favorite) editor — so much of my style today reflects what you taught me. Thanks for encouraging me, even when I came in every week with “the worst column I’d ever written.” Next semester, I hope our schedules align better so we can start hanging out during normal hours. 

Sanika, I absolutely loved being your associate editor, and I’m so grateful that you pushed me to run for editor-in-chief. I used to tease you about your terrible texting habits, but I get it now. Sruti, the basement just isn’t the same without you. We need to “study” again; How else are we going to watch an entire season of a TV show in one night?

My wonderful forum editors — Thasin, Tommy, Alexa — you killed it. We ended the year with more forum projects than I knew what to do with, and that’s incredible. Thank you for crowdsourcing and answering emails so that I don’t have to.

My editors: What would this department be without you? Justice, you write the coolest stories, and I hope you never lose your passion. Alyssa, you stuck it out with me through the last three semesters. I’m glad you finally made it onto the quote wall. Faith, I know you were also forum editor, but where was I supposed to put my jack-of-all trades? Headline writer, social planner, meme creator — you’ve done it all. Mihir, you’re an insanely good editor, but I hope that one day you realize there’s a wonderful campus outside the PCL. Thank you for being our resident business bro. Michael, I’m so glad we became friends, but don’t think I’ve forgotten about the sock. I’m looking forward to our next Monday night gossip session. Mia, the basement is a dreadfully less funny place without you. Honestly, I don’t think I’ve heard anyone laugh since you left. Sorry about the time I sent you eight “you’re fired” memes. And finally, Lucero, I’m so excited to see what you accomplish next year. Don’t forget to take a step back from the paper every now and then, and call me if you ever need anything.

To the managing editors who suffered through our late nights and my bad jokes: Anna, your icebreakers were controversial, but they were the best I’ve heard all year. Fiza, your work ethic is an inspiration, and you have great taste in music. Our trip to D.C. was so fun, and it’s probably for the best that you were the one navigating. Mantra, I love the energy you bring to the basement. I’m glad that I can always count on you to laugh at my jokes, even when they’re not funny. Do you remember that party our sophomore year, when I joked that you would be managing editor next spring and you told me you were quitting the Texan that semester? How’d that turn out?

To everyone else I’ve had the pleasure of getting to know and work alongside — Juleanna, Rachael, Abhirupa, Matthew, Christina, Kate, Karina, Breigh, Bernice — thank you for making my production nights special. Sara, you design the coolest spreads. Julius, I’ll never forget the time I came down to the basement at 1 a.m. and you were still there. Kamryn, your quotes are iconic, and I’m pretty sure you single-handedly keep Duffl in business. Morgan, I’m still disturbed that you eat dinner at 3 p.m., but I have to admit that your Ohio jokes were actually funny. Shez, you always made me feel better when I was having a bad day. You give the best hugs. And to everyone who joined me in my way-too-small studio on Thursday nights, I’ll miss our post-production hangouts.

Peter, thank you for letting me walk into your office and vent. I don’t have the words to convey how grateful I am for you. You once told me that this year would be a marathon and that it was worth pacing myself, and of course I didn’t listen. Maybe I should have. To John and the Friends of The Daily Texan, I’m so appreciative of the continued support you’ve shown me and the rest of the staff. And to Gerald, Jason, Emily and everyone else at TSM, thanks for all the work you do behind-the-scenes to keep the paper running. 

Finally, I’m so grateful to my friends and family who have encouraged and supported me during my time at the Texan. You mean the world to me. Thank you for putting up with my stress-induced rants and terrible schedule. I promise I’ll get better at responding to texts and calls, and I’m so excited to finally have my evenings free again.

Leaving the basement is hard, but I guess it’s finally time to see what college looks like without the Texan.

Tran is a Plan II, English and sociology junior. She was the editor-in-chief.