THIS IS the first and only time I can use the word "I" in The Cavalier Daily, with it not being in a quote from someone else. Weird.
Well, I guess Tina, Tinadore, Tinis, Thong, Teens, Poobug, Yellow Sugar should start at the top. Those from the past who encouraged me and helped me enjoy my time at the paper - Pump Walters and Lauren Shepherd, Mike Greenwald, Emily Kane, Sonia Karim, Masha Herbst, Meg Scheu and Lindsay Wise, Katie Lane, James Tsai, Aditi Vaish, Doug Strassler, Christine Chase, Nicola White, Tengku Bahar, Dan Lopez. I would like to thank those who influenced me at The Cavalier Daily and who are still around - Katie Dalton, John Clark, Rakesh Gopalan and Thomas Hall, Sol Bergen-Bartel, Ann-Woods Isaacs, LaJoy Thomas, Adam Blumenkrantz, Chu Hwang, Brady Wolfe, Abby Curran, Emily Roper, David Bloomberg, Ben Sellers, Phil Wickizer, Jeff Eisenberg, Adam Justice, Kevin Hechtkopf, Donnie Coleman, indescribable Aaron Gussman and indomitable Sean Healey.
And now that my time at the University is pretty much over, I find that I'm still close friends with some of the greatest people ever who I met at the Cavalier Daily but who became so much more than just editors or fellow reporters. Beautiful, talented Emily Rockwood who is super and who I enjoy. Hot, quick-witted Amy Shapiro, my traveling buddy, "too much hearts" and dearest Cakes with whom I will soon be sharing my California dream and (k)nights in white satin. Adorable, sweet, always friendly and ethnic-loving Rachel Alberico. Honest, funny, and talented Maria "She's on Fire" Tor. Hilarious Sam Le, who can carry off a pink shirt and flowered tie better than any other male I know.
And now on to the non-paper people. It's amazing I have any since I spent most of my free hours in the Newcomb Hall basement from September 1998 until December 2001. Mohsin Reza, Edward Daniels, Laura Greb, Jaime "Pooky" Levi, Amy DuBrueler, Melissa Kenney, Cortney Kestner, Kristen Laychus, Sarah Smith, Lily Yang, Allison Litty, Sarah Pullen, Jenn Plumley, Jenny Rios, Kevin Woelfel, Jennifer Nashorn, Alyssa Delaney, Mary Ellen Bizzarri, Kim Morgan, Megan Morrison, succulent Stephanie Schutte, kindhearted and intelligent John Blair.
To the Drama house staff - Lisa Wilcox, Wan-Lae Cheng, Angie Bennett, Jenny Chow, Denise Escurel, Jenny Park, Megan Bengur - "A pineapple for you, from you." "Frankly, it would give me gas." Are you sure he's not gay?
Kristen Mitchell - sexy, talented, hilarious and has a great set of boneless skinless chicken brrrrreasts. Kirsten Rozycki - funny, cute and good at riding. Shula Warren - so witty, hilarious, patient, sharp and understanding. Michelle L' Heureux - wear a blue shirt every day. Meggie Glynn - you're No. 1, 'cause two is not a winner and three no one remembers, but I'm a shooting star, is that your boyfriend, nananananana. Rachel Anne Hardison - cute, sweet, patient, understanding, friendly and always has a smile and encouraging words. I see little Rachel.
From that first sweltering day moving my Yaffa blocks and loads of stuff into my pink, flowery room with Smiley in Bonnycastle, trying to find parking in Lambeth, trudging down Rugby Road in ass pants, obsessing over girls and boys and making webs, spending loads of money at B. Moss, falling down (and up) the stairs, wanting to be like Patty and Selma, working (and abusing) the phones at The Cavalier Daily office, singing in the car, watching Spongebob, dyeing our hair while wearing capes, downing Pokey Stix, Smirnoff Ice and Arbor Mist, trying to find random weird places in Richmond, parties, studying, pumping iron, going to Arch's, just talking and enjoying each other's company, till today when we march down the Lawn to receive our degrees and say goodbye to college, you all have had an impact on my life in very positive ways.
To my dear, dear friends - we have helped each other through some tough, sad, scary, exciting and exhilarating times. Growing up and realizing new things about the world and yourself is rather arduous and painful at times, but you have all helped me learn. I have been honored to meet you and enjoy your friendship and I hope you all keep in touch. You are all invited to my pad in San Diego, and may the good times continue.
I am sorry if I have forgotten anyone, but please know that I am thinking of you and missing you already. Good luck to everyone, and bon voyage wherever you go.
"If you fall I will catch you, I will be waiting, time after time ..."
(Tina Hong was the 2000-2001 focus editor.)
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