I truly have no idea how I ended up at the Texan — it honestly feels like a fluke.
I had no journalism experience in high school, nor considered it before college. I spent the first semester of my freshman year in urban studies classes, and I only applied here in my second semester on a whim, just because one of my friends told me they were applying.
Sorry to that friend, lol. In an alternate universe, we got to do this together.
When I was hired, I was in complete shock. Was this a prank? Had I somehow slipped through the cracks just as a Basement roach or cricket?
Two years and thousands of words later, this paper has become a defining part of my life.
I’ve witnessed a lot here. From students creating a free fridge in West Campus, the fall of diversity, equity and inclusion and student opposition against the ongoing genocide in Gaza — I’ve covered the good, bad and the outright ugly.
My friends can attest that I always say that the UT I applied for isn’t the same school I go to now. With the loss of many campus safe spaces, targets on the back of BIPOC and LGBTQ+ students and students getting arrested and tear-gassed on the very campus that is supposed to support them, who could blame me?
With AI on the rise and constant claims that journalism is dead, I couldn’t disagree more. Now, more than ever, we need journalists — real, flesh-and-blood individuals documenting events as they unfold.
Being a student journalist offers a unique perspective, one that I’m incredibly grateful and privileged to have had. I hope I’ve made those who came before me proud. And if I didn’t, well … some things are better left unsaid!
Anyways, time to get sappy. Not sorry for it.
To my family, thank you for supporting me in this journey.
To my friends, it’s your encouragement that keeps me going. Thank you for always providing a shoulder to cry on.
Joelle, thank you for taking a chance on me as a senior reporter. I wouldn’t have come this far if it weren’t for you. Someday, I hope to be as good of a writer as you are.
Naina, thank you for being my right-hand woman and listening to my crazy life antics. You’re a wonderful friend and incredibly talented. I can’t wait to see what you accomplish.
Peter, you have pushed me to be just like the professionals, and for that, I am so grateful.
Thank you to all management and my editors, both past and present, who stood right by our side when we saw our fellow students shoved and pushed.
To my fellow news team, thank you guys for all your help this semester. It’s been a rollercoaster, but we did it.
To my NDEs, you all are incredible at what you do. Thank you for making my job a hell of a lot easier.
To my reporters, you all are immensely talented. I can’t wait to see where you go in the Texan.
Finally, to Ella, thank you for standing by my side through all of this. Our late-night FaceTime calls have kept me sane. You are a light in my life.
Also, shoutout to my therapist! You’re a #real one.
I don’t really know what’s next for me, but as I say goodbye to the Texan, I know I don’t say goodbye to journalism. There are always more stories to be told, and I hope to tell them.
