As my time at the Texan comes to a close, I’ve been thinking a lot about the number 126.
The Texan’s legacy is one of 126 years of breaking news, of late night deadlines and burnt orange newsstands. 126 years of pushing for progress, of demanding change and holding those in power accountable.
126 editors-in-chief, each with different voices and visions stepping into the same role. But we were all faced with the same challenge — upholding the legacy of an institution that will outlive us.
When I began this year, I was acutely aware of my long line of predecessors. How could I live up to these impossible expectations?
I quickly learned I was not carrying this burden alone. This paper exists because of the students who dedicate hundreds of hours to their craft. And I am incredibly grateful for the people around me who made this legacy possible.
Thank you to my managing editors for picking up my slack. Aaron, I’m so grateful I got the opportunity to learn and grow with you.
Kylee, who knew the ME and EIC could be friends? You took me under your wing, and I’m forever grateful for that. Thank you for a semester spent leading with you, full of laughs and eyelash cancer. (PS: Sorry for giving you mono, queen.)
When I think back on my year as EIC, there is one common denominator: Newton Tran. To my fellow youngling, I’m so grateful I had you by my side through three semesters full of late nights (for you, not me) and anti-AI induced crashouts. Thank you for putting up with my antics all year, you honestly deserve a medal.
Three years ago, the editor-in-chief told me to have confidence in my abilities, and I listened. Lucero, you saw my potential before anyone else. You are the reason I’m writing this today. I will be forever grateful for your mentorship.
McKenzie, it’s impossible for me to encompass the impact you’ve had on me in one short paragraph. Thank you for taking me under your wing, encouraging me and preparing me for this incredible, anxiety-inducing job. Thank you for your friendship, and for your unwavering trust. Your editorials set the standard, and I hope I’ve lived up to it.
To my oldest (and I mean oldest) friend Matthew, you came into my office with a gavel and a dream and left as one of my best friends at the Texan. I can always count on you for a gossip session, and if I ever need to be humbled, you’re my guy. Thank you for your friendship, bud.
Erika, thank you for being a constant source of happiness and refraining from cussing me out when I forget to upload stories. Mazzy, being around you made me about 20% cooler. Thank you for your constant words of encouragement. Brian, I can always count on you for a knowing look or clever one-liner. I’m so excited to see what you’ll accomplish next year, and I hope you’ll follow my work-life balance example.
Audrey, thank you for working with me this past year! I couldn’t have asked for a better illustration coordinator.
Maryam, our news-opinion collaboration was everything. Thanks for spending hours in my office debriefing the state of UT, there’s no other way I would rather spend my afternoons.
Justin, what a full circle moment. When I first met you, you were my editor. Now, you’re everyone’s — look where we are now! Keep investigating, I can’t wait to see where you’ll go.
Peter, thank you for being my favorite person to disagree with, and sorry about all the years I’ve inevitably taken off your life. You’ve made me a better writer, leader and person.
While there are many things I’ll miss about my time at the Texan, none of them sting quite as much as the end of my time with my ed-board. I couldn’t have done any of it without you all. Thank you for your months of support and friendship, and for honoring my ridiculous requests (who the hell asks for a 40-page editorial!?)
Tenley, you’ve been with me through it all, and I’m forever grateful for the chance to learn from you. I will always cherish our friendship, and I can’t wait to see all the cool things you’ll do! Tanya, I couldn’t have asked for a better editor. Thank you for your humor and constant support. Maria, watching you grow as an editor and as a friend has been an amazing blessing. Belle, thank you for bringing laughter and gossip to my office, as well as the occasional late plate. I’m incredibly grateful to have had your talents for three semesters.
Tiffany, it’s your time to carry the torch. Watching you grow as a writer and editor has been extraordinary. You’re a long way from breakup columns! There’s no one else I would rather leave the Texan with.
To my columnists — Kayla, Luke, Caris, Lisette, Abigail, Olivia, Indie, Devyn, Isha, Eviana, Graciella, Ishan, Conor, Kate, Kaela, Medha, Jorge, Tia, Arista, Kaili, Ankita, Julia, Haleigh and Travis — it was an honor to work with you. I’m so grateful to have been able to witness the unique perspectives each of you brings. Y’all deserve the world.
To the staff, it’s been a blessing seeing the hard work all of you put in to make this paper what it is. To our readers, thank you for trusting me with your stories.
I am forever grateful to be a part of this 126-year legacy, and I can’t wait to see where the Texan will go next.
Saunders is a journalism and government junior from Wheaton, Illinois. She was the editor-in-chief.
