Second-in-command, I get the job done — when Amelia tells me to. I love my lot at the Texan, my peculiar, pleasant lot.
The Life&Arts department spews out a love for life, culture and people. The people who make up this department, every single one who’s come and gone in my time, take great care in honoring the value in the privilege we hold in covering talent and art pertaining to and coming from the people of UT. In my time here, I have become close with a number of those fine folks. I want to spend most of my time thanking them.
Amelia, I don’t think I’d do this with anyone else. We are graduating together, we entered the Texan together and we have had so much fun together, in and out of the basement. You have shown up for me countless times as a friend and a boss; I marvel at your effort and your resolve. Working alongside you has been an absolute pleasure — and our friendship is the best fringe benefit this job could have offered.
Flora, you are a force, as a writer and a person. Your energy brightens every room. I loved spending my Tuesdays and Thursdays with you this semester, all hopped up on Lucky Lab and delusional yet giggly on hour three of edits. Trinity, your passion and spark glitter in everything you do. I keel over laughing every time we speak for longer than two minutes; you are a light in my life. You both are off to do fantastic, remarkable things with those lovely brains and hearts of yours.
Angela and Mimi, thank you for believing in me and hiring me. You both encouraged me to write the stories I felt drawn to and to make the most out of my time here. Thank you for supporting me and showing me what I can do with my voice. I am forever grateful.
Trisha, you old softie. I found you so interesting when I first started here and finally mustered up the courage to talk to you last fall during orientation. From there, I gained a confidant, a buddy, and a mentor. You keep outdoing yourself, and I feel lucky to share space with you. You taught me to approach this job with love and positivity above anything else. Your love for this paper infected me, and I owe you for that.
Muma and Buba, you are honorary Lartists. You struggled and survived through so much so that I could end up at this school, working at this paper. Your constant worry and support keeps me afloat. I love the worry you hold for me in your wrinkled hands. I love you both so much.
Stationed in that little corner by the television and close to the vending machine for nearly all of my college career, I have developed a hunger for the hustle and bustle of our lovely paper. The Texan is a singular space on this campus. My lot in the Texan is a beautiful lot. It has taken a different shape each semester, this final one won me over. This peculiar, pleasant lot took my shaky, freshman hand and wrapped me up in a warm embrace for five beautiful semesters.
