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Song of the Day: Keep Your Head Up by Andy Grammar

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“If rules and structure define your life, you belong at the backbone of the paper,” The Daily Texan told me. When I first joined as a freshman, these words spoke to me. I was (and still am) an English major obsessed with language, and my passion for it has only deepened over the past seven semesters I’ve spent in the newsletter and copy departments. 

Though, if there is anything that college has taught me, it’s that things can and are going to get very messy, testing the rules and structure I want to cling to. Between changing degree plans, switching departments, securing internships and trying to commit to various orgs, I had trouble managing it all. There weren’t enough hours in the day, so I relied on the night to reclaim time for things I enjoyed. That’s how the late-night newsletter shifts became so special to me. 

My role as a copy editor feels like getting to review the cool behind-the-scenes production of a movie before it gets sent out to the audience for public screening. Learning the quirks of each writer and slowly (but surely) memorizing the style guide have been fun challenges that I wouldn’t trade for the world, but most importantly, this role has helped me grow into someone more aware of the ever-changing state of our world. 

With the Texan being my primary source of news, I’ve been exposed to so many important stories and issues in the Austin community that I may have missed out on had I not gotten the chance to edit them. I thank this paper for providing me with a clearer worldview through students who pour everything into what they write.

Copy has taught me how to look for and value the little details, be it an extra space or the amalgam of tiny memories, meaningful conversations and grammar tips I’ve accumulated throughout these past two years. These little detailings are ones that I’ll carry with me all throughout my publishing journey. 

Today in the Texan: 

I want to thank all of my lovely newsletter editors, Athena Tseng, Lily Trueper, Mazzy Warren and Alyssa Burks for all the late nights and endless understanding. I wouldn’t have made it this far without your encouragement and enthusiasm. From Mailchimp to Overlooked to Mailchimp again, we’ve gotten to grow alongside each other, and there is so much I’ve learned from you all! 

Thank you to my LHS friends who’ve joined the Texan and have already started to leave their marks; I’ll forever cherish the pictures of me sitting on the floor, editing the Rewind on Saturday nights. 

Last, but certainly not least, I want to thank my best friend and last managing editor, Newton “Newty” Tran. Thank you for being such a kind soul and admirable leader; your ambition inspires me. We walked into the DMC auditorium at the same time, and now we’re saying farewell to the basement. It’s been a wild ride. 

I’ll miss the libel talks and plagiarism quiz reminders. I’ll miss holding my breath before checking the critiques for my night. I’ll miss the Sunday meetings and funny icebreakers. I’ll miss correcting link bolding errors and listening to the Song of the Day. I’ll miss the Texas Athletics Composite schedule popping up in my search bar every time I type “Co-.” I’ll miss this chapter, but I will look back on it fondly. 

Thank you to the Texan for such an amazing run! 

Wednesday, Thursday and Saturday newsletter copy editor 

Signing off.