Lorianne Willett

I wrote this in October. And no it wasn’t because I felt ready to leave the Texan last month … okay maybe I did a little. But it was mostly because I was feeling sentimental. 

I was reflecting on my journey with The Daily Texan and how I went from being rejected two times by the news department to working in three different departments to being managing editor. Crazy. 

I love the Texan so incredibly much for everything it’s taught me and for shaping me into the journalist and the leader I am today. 

If you would have told 18-year-old me, who just had her senior year ripped away from her by a pandemic, that she would go on to have the time of her life at the University of Texas and one day be the managing editor of the top college newspaper in the country, I wouldn’t have believed you for a second. 

So without further ado, per 30 column tradition, I’ve got to thank all the people who got me to where I am today. 

Mommy, thank you for giving me the head I have on my shoulders. I’d like to think I got my intelligence from you and I don’t think I would be as successful as I am today without it. For my entire life, you have been a role model for me on what it means to be a great mom and a great person. 

Daddy, thank you for supporting my journalism career since high school; for buying ads in my high school newspaper, for reading my rough drafts and for listening to all of the newsroom drama for hours on the phone. I am lucky — I wish everyone could experience what it’s like to have a dad like you. 

Nana (okay, and now I am crying) thank you for everything. Your love and support mean the world to me and it’s how I’ve got through college so far. 

Papa, you inspire me to work hard and to go on more walks. Thank you for your support throughout my college career.  

Paige and Meredith, thank you for always being there for me, you are my sisters and my best friends. 

Dillon, your support means everything to me and you are the best boyfriend I could ever ask for. 

And to any other members of my family who have supported me thus far, I want to thank you as well. Now on to my Texan friends. 

Breigh, you are so insanely intelligent. I am so excited for you to take over the Texan, it’s in great hands under your leadership. Thanks for being the person I could give the side eye to, you made me feel so understood, heard and loved during my time at the Texan. You’re truly a friend and I am going to miss spending as much time together as we currently spend. 

Kevin, Kevo, K-dog. You’re the best, thanks for never failing to put a smile on my face. You light up the basement every time you walk in. Your news judgment is impeccable, and even though I went from your mentee to your boss, I still look up to you (even though you’re shorter than me). 

Christina, you’re one of the best friends I’ve made here at the Texan, and who would have known we’ve only lived like 15 minutes apart this whole time? I wish we would have met sooner. Your voice memos make my day. 

Amelia, you are so incredibly talented. I am so glad to have met you this semester. The Texan is in good hands with you working here. 

Ali, I’m sorry I forgot we were grs together, but hey, at least we made up for it by becoming friends later. I was serious when I said I was happy you took over the city & politics sr beat after me, I loved reading your stories. You’re an amazing journalist and I am glad to be your friend. 

Sara, you were my first friend at the Texan. You’re an amazing designer. I have enjoyed seeing you grow as a leader and seeing you make everyone feel like they belong. I am so lucky to have met you. 

Ireland, Alisha, and Katie thank you for making me look forward to every NABJ meeting. You all make me feel so comfortable and understand me on a level no one else can. I will never forget the memories we made at the NABJ convention.  

Skye, you were an amazing news editor. I honestly feel like I grew the most as a reporter under your leadership. Thank you for your mentorship and friendship. 

Lucero, you’ve been a great friend and partner this semester, it was a pleasure working with you. 

Peter, you’ve been an amazing mentor for me and the entire Texan staff. I can’t believe I went from crying at your critique emails to agreeing with them! You have done a lot to shape me as a leader and shape my news judgment so thank you for that.  

My journey at the Texan has seriously been an interesting one. I am thankful for everything that I learned from all the people I have worked with and the news, design and photo departments. 

It’s truly been an honor to serve as The Daily Texan Managing Editor this semester and I hope future Texan staffers will get as much out of it as I did.