The other day I was cleaning out my filing cabinet hidden in the depths of my closet. At the back of one drawer, there was a single piece of printer paper, scrawled all over in colored pencil. I smiled as I looked at a copy of “The Schoolhouse Weekly,” the first publication I had the honor to be a part of. This edition was circa approximately 2003. My name was written near the top, in bright yellow, next to the title "editor-in-chief."
The front page and only story was headlined: "Extra Extra! Luna Moth Caterpillar [sic] Sited!"
After announcing that the "siting" had occurred on Wednesday, the hard hitting story concluded with, "So, there will be a beautiful Luna moth flying around soon!"
When I arrived on Grounds the day after I had been accepted into the University, I was still very much a caterpillar. That afternoon, when I walked into the basement of Newcomb, my metamorphosis began. I looked into the office of The Cavalier Daily, at the plaque carrying some of Thomas Jefferson's many wise words, the comfy couches in the corner and a big cut out poster of Jay Bilas’s head hanging from the wall. I looked into that beautifully chaotic newsroom, and I made my college decision: I wanted to be a part of something, and I knew it was going to be that newsroom.
Summer was gone in the blink of an eye. Soon I had moved out of my house, purchased a pile of textbooks and got expertly lost in a place I thought I already knew so well. I was 17 years old and couldn’t be more shy. I was ready to get involved, meet people, try new things and grow in my confidence. I can say one thing for sure: I had just no clue the scope of newfound people, interests and self confidence in store for me, all to be found in that beautifully chaotic basement newsroom.
I initially joined the paper as a Photo staffer, having only a mere interest in photography. I had hopes of majoring in politics and becoming a political commentator. About a month into school, I realized I didn't want a career in politics. About two weeks later, I stepped out onto the sidelines of Scott Stadium with my press credential in one hand and a Cavalier Daily camera in the other. It was one of the most exciting places I had ever been, and I wanted to come back as many times as I could.
The moment I knew I wanted to be a sports journalist was a day not too much later, the day of the 2014 men's basketball game against Syracuse. On the sideline for The Cavalier Daily, I was able to capture the magic of that win, the excitement of the players as they saw their teammate, Thomas Rogers, hit his first three pointer on his Senior Day. I decided that day I never wanted to stop capturing that magic, that emotion, that excitement.
Soon, I was writing for the Sports section and the newest recruit for one of the newest sections: Video. Somehow, over the course of the next year, I became the editor of the Video section and co-editor of the Photo section. I became one of the Sports section's main writers, leading the feature content initiative. Over that year, I stayed up late at night in the basement of Newcomb and spent more hours in that office than in my bed.
My metamorphosis was in full swing.
Being a student journalist is hard when there is a student death or a scandal or a horrific and graphic assault. In 2014-15, we covered them one after the other. I remember crying through press conferences during the disappearance of Hannah Graham, editing photographs of the ensuing turmoil following the “Rolling Stone” story and the heartbreak I felt when I opened another message in my Breaking News group chat about a student death. I will never forget March 18, 2015, the day I stayed in the basement of Newcomb from 8 a.m. til midnight, working feverishly as I realized the significance of the video of Martese Johnson's attack I had posted as it garnered tens of thousands of views every hour.
It was late nights in that newsroom where I grew up. I realized life is hard, but we all have a battle face we put on as we push through, and that the sun always rises even after the darkest days.
It was late night in that newsroom where I made close friends. Julia, thank you for being the most fearless of leaders throughout the best of times and the worst of times. I cannot think of many women stronger than you. To the entire 126th Managing Board, thanks for showing the world how much a group of kickass women can accomplish. Marshall, thanks for always being there whenever anything was ever needed by anyone — you are one of the most dependable people that newsroom has ever seen. Lianne, thanks for being a friend I can always lean on. Courtney, thanks for carrying on what I began and fighting just as hard to keep my baby thriving. To all my staffers, thanks for always being there with helping hands.
Now, mere weeks from graduation, my metamorphosis is complete. I have become the Luna moth I always hoped one day I could be. I have earned my wings and I am ready to soar to new heights. My cocoon served its purpose well and is responsible for the success of my metamorphosis. Thanks to The Cavalier Daily, for turning a shy and unsure caterpillar into a strong, confident, sports-reporting, video loving Luna moth.
Porter Dickie was the 126th Photo editor and the 126th Video editor for The Cavalier Daily.
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