Journalism, as Nicholas Kristof said and The Daily Texan has taught me, is an act of hope. Hope that people will read, listen and care. Hope that our words can create empathy, understanding and change. For 125 years, The Texan has exemplified how thousands of student journalists can transform personal passion and ambition into collective power.
I am thankful for the privilege to be one of those student journalists. In this newsroom, I have found hope in many forms — in the courage of our writers, the passion of our editors and the stories that illuminate the real-life impacts of policies on women’s healthcare, the fight for diversity, equity and inclusion in Texas higher education and the resilience of student advocacy.
I found it especially in the Advocacy and Belonging department, in every edit, Slack message and conversation we’ve had to improve equity in our coverage. Most importantly, I found hope in the remarkable people I worked with:
Sascha Mohan, who took a chance on a business freshman major, led our department with grace and dedication. Raya Bhattacharyya’s advice which shaped my time at the Texan with laughter and authenticity. Rasmitha Edupuganti and Prekshya Budathoki, who inspired me with their diligence. And of course, Aliza Momin, Saron Mekonnen and Avighna Phanibatla, who each brought a unique light and lens to the Basement this semester.
I am fortunate to have worked with each of them and know they will continue to lead our department, paper and community with the nuance, compassion and unwavering dedication needed to make an impact.
Despite many obstacles, including Senate Bill 17, I believe hope will endure on the Forty Acres, as will the Texan. It thrives in our commitment to fostering a newsroom where everyone belongs and advocates. It grows in our willingness to ask tough questions and imagine better answers.
The opportunity to lead the Advocacy and Belonging department and serve in management has profoundly shaped my time at UT. My time in the Basement gave me a sense of purpose and showed me that meaningful journalism and activism can take many forms. Because of this, the Texan will always be a part of me, and I hope I’ve left a small piece of myself within it, too.
Still, I cannot go back to McCombs without thanking some of the most influential people in my life:
To my mom, thank you for believing in the power of my passions. I credit this beautiful, impactful experience to your encouragement to apply (and reapply when I didn’t get in the first time). As with everything else, I could not have done it without you.
To my family, your love grounds me and gives me the courage to reach higher. Thank you for being my foundation and guiding light.
To Rudy, thank you for walking me to and from every meeting, helping me see my own strength and pushing me to dream bigger dreams.
To my best friend, Fatima, who inspires me from 600 miles away, thank you for your friendship. I followed you into one newsroom and then your example into another.
To each member of management, every member of the Texan and Peter, I am so grateful for the opportunity to have worked alongside you. There was not a day, story, post, maestro, or budget meeting that I did not learn something new and meaningful.
