One phrase I’ve been associating with the Texan as of late is “die a hero or see yourself become a villain,” so here I am: in my villain era.

Two semesters ago, I made a joke that for my 30, I’d simply write down a list of names and make everyone guess why they made it onto my list, so if you’re here, my apologies for the print version of mystery, thought I’d keep y’all humbled for a sec. 

My thank yous (in approximate chronological order):

Emily Hernandez, I could never thank you enough for the chance you’ve given me that changed my life forever. I honestly thought you were the coolest person ever, and I’m so blessed to have been under your guidance and patience that first semester. 

Lauren and Neelam, thanks for sticking through all the questions I had about each edit, I now realize how much side-eying I deserved so thank you for not humbling me back then. 

Hannah, I will forever credit you as the person who taught me how to write in journalism vibes. I am so grateful to have had you as my NDE and so sorry for every time you had to explain every single repetitive mistake I made my first semester, and thank you for your patience always. 

Sam, as my news mentor you are always someone I look up to, not only inside the newsroom, but because you’re always such a sunny and bright person that lights up the room wherever you go.

Fiza, you were my first friend at the Texan, and I honestly could not imagine going through the past three years without you. I am constantly inspired by how you chase your dreams and are THE main character in every scene. I just know you’ll get all you’ve worked hard for.

Kaushiki, words cannot describe how thankful I am to have you as my workout, study and k-pop buddy (the holy trinity of life). My fellow ENTP whom I share half a brain cell with, I’m so blessed to have met someone who just gets me.

Julius, my 2 a.m. basement buddy, the best dinner party host, the most iconic and slayful cat father and photographer, I cannot even begin. Your presence is such a joy to every person you bless it with, and you’re quite literally the funniest person ever. I don’t think I could survive doing what you do but again, I also don’t have the brain capacity to know any of the tech Sherlock stuff that you keep up there, so I guess it adds up. Thank you for being my tea-spilling buddy, and cheers to our mental health.

Emily Caldwell, when I think of my mentor at the Texan, I think of you. I wouldn’t have stayed past one semester if I hadn’t had the chance of hearing how much it can change your life from my cross-department mentor. I’ll be forever grateful for the wisdom you shared with me and the chance you gave me to write my silly little international student ramblings. 

Hannah, Izzy and Jay, thank you for always being so patient and kind with me during opinion edits. 

Megan, it’s been insane watching someone grow and girlboss so hard since our first semester in opinion. I will never let you forget that I called it when I said you’d be EIC the first month I knew you. I don’t know how you always do it all, but I’m so glad I’ve been along for the ride. 

Sanika, I cannot imagine what my life would have been like without working as your forum editor for a year. Your kindness, patience, passion and hardwork always inspired me to be a better person. Just knowing how much you cared about every op-ed you put out made me want to do more, and I’ll always look up to you as a leader. 

To every lovely AAJA member that has made journalism feel like home, thank you. I honestly wouldn’t have stuck around for this long without y’alls found family. Hillary, from the first time I read your columns, I knew I wanted to be your friend! I’m always grateful to hear more about the main character struggle and have a vocal/uke buddy in my life. Juleanna, you’re such a calming presence to be around and will be someone I’ll always look up to. Dilen, never have I appreciated someone’s bluntness and brightness and humor in a room so much. Michael, I’m blessed to have worked on a project with such a passionate and energetic person like you! Kevin, I thought you were the funniest person in our GR class, and I’m consistently wowed by your will to always push forward. Thank you for the boba always. Shez, your hugs are just always chef’s kiss. I need not explain more. Angela, I look forward to seeing you and what you wear every single time, please keep slaying.

Rachael, thank you for giving me the opportunity to work on the D&I board with you. I will forever be blown away by each and every presentation you built and how much you care and will fight for the things you’re passionate about.

Sasha, thank you for growing with me that first silly little summer we were both editors. I’m so glad our vibe checkers are always in sync. Breigh, I’ll never meet someone so passionate and detail-oriented about D&I in my time, and I can’t wait to see where the department will grow next.

Mia, Hope and Anna, thank you for teaching me what it was like to really be there and surrounded by people who truly love the paper.

Sruti, you have the kindest soul and the sweetest smile and the slayest style. Your presence is always like a warm hug.

Skye, I’m forever grateful for the chance you gave me to write again, your patience, and your understanding as my last editor. I was so ultra-intimidated by you during our GR semester, and I can’t wait to see you conquer Seattle soon! 

Harsha, Alisha and Isa, I am so blessed to have met each and every one of you as my mentees. You all have such strong wills and such bright futures and when I look for people who are truly chasing after what they want I am inspired by your persistence Harsha, your openness to do so much Alicia, and your determination Sofia. I feel like I’ve learned so much from y’all than I could possibly give, and I cannot wait to see what awesome stories you’ll put out into the world soon!

Tina and Henry, I’m so glad to have met y’all, and I’m so happy you’ve found your home here in the basement, too. Henry, you truly make a statement wherever you go and I cannot wait to see all the amazing things you’re gonna do. It’s impossible not to stan kuya. Tina, I couldn’t imagine these past two semesters without you, truly. You inspire me to chase my dreams every day, and I’m so glad you’re always down for a silly maccas run.

If y’all have stuck around for this long, don’t mind if I get a little bit (more) emotional because I truly couldn’t imagine UT without the Texan. In high school, I’d always dream about the aesthetic college life that is writing for the newspaper, and sure the silly lil’ no-natural-light basement was far from my original vision, but it didn’t make it any less of a home. 

Coming in with no experience, I’m so thankful to Emily who took me in even though my try out article had PUNS in it. I’m forever grateful for all the friends and experiences and opportunities I’ve gained from my time in News, Opinion, D&I and now Projects. 

I’m eternally thankful for all the editors that took a chance on a silly little rock major with countless scheduling conflicts, endless ramblings and all the kombucha bottles in the fridge. I will never forget when the basement water fountain tasted like natural gas, each chaotic FNOP and LNOP, all the unhinged 2 a.m. nights and finding my first roommate because I interviewed her for an article. 

Even after nine semesters (including summers), my time here still doesn’t feel real to say the least. I am no different but so changed by these past three years with y’all. I don’t think all the reality and emotions have hit me just yet, so my apologies for this last less-than-eloquent spiel in this paper, but I don’t think I could ever properly put it into words.

If we’re gonna be honest, I don’t know if I would do it ALL (especially the natural gas water) again, but since I have, I definitely wouldn’t give up my time at the Texan for the world. I wouldn’t be who I am today without y’all, so thank you again, from the bottom of my heart.