Parting is such sweet sorrow. It is difficult to leave behind what you have come to know so well. But not in this case — I cannot wait to graduate! When I committed to the University of Virginia four long years ago, my loving family so kindly filled my head with fantasies of what college could be like — you will fit right in and make so many friends, this will be the best time of your life. For much of my college experience genuine friendships eluded me and I struggled to find the connections and community I had come to expect as I trekked across the country for college. It has taken nearly my entire collegiate career for me to realize that every experience is different and my time at the University can not be measured only in under-fulfilled expectations.
I did not have the best time of my life in college. On the contrary, college has brought me some of the hardest times in my early life. Being an out-of-state student from Southern California, I often felt like the odd-person-out in a school filled with students who already had in-state relationships while I knew no one. I struggled to find the communities, connections and sense of home that I thought would come naturally as a wide-eyed, overly optimistic first-year student. And now, as I leave the University with no job prospects, a degree I did not intend to get and an indefinite stay with my parents, I sometimes wonder what exactly college has given me.
But the saving grace of my college experience — the part that makes me most proud and most fulfilled — is my time with The Cavalier Daily. I found The Cavalier Daily in my third year of college. I had repeatedly been rejected by half a dozen Contracted Independent Organizations in my efforts for community involvement until some wise news editor read my well-conceived but ill-crafted writing and saw my potential. I was given a voice for what felt like the first time since coming to the University. Granted this voice had to be highly objective and meticulously styled in AP/CD, but it was a chance to speak and be heard nonetheless.
I was routinely assigned political and legal long-form pieces in which I partnered with University law professors due to my interest in public policy and my connection to the School of Law courtesy of my sister, a soon-to-be Law alum — I am very proud of you, Cheryl. It was initially hard to keep my personal bias separate from the highly objective news stories I shared including articles on the proposed policy changes within the Department of Education and the University’s decision to suspend and subsequently reinstate gender-affirming care for U.Va. Health patients.
As both a student and a journalist, strictly following the story and disregarding my own thoughts on the issues that directly impact myself and my community can be quite difficult. But I quickly learned that there is power in the questions I ask, the angles I share and the stories I tell. With the current polarized political culture and misinformation running rampant, I know that now more than ever, voicing the truth is far more powerful than voicing an opinion on it.
Working with a total of six incredible news editors, I published 32 articles during my two-year stint with The Cavalier Daily News Desk, over a dozen of which have been selected for print editions. At the risk of sounding vain — although this might be one of the few times wherein vanity is acceptable — that is quite a difficult feat and an accomplishment of which I am incredibly proud. It is also an accomplishment that would not be possible without a hard working staff providing me encouragement, ideas and many edits along the way.
In all actuality, there are many “saving graces” to my collegiate career, including several close friends, a study abroad experience I’ll not soon forget and an abundance of Lawn picnics and Bodo's Bagels — but I’m a writer, it’s in my nature to dramatize. I have always been a writer in some respects, documenting my life in leather bound books as a kid before serving as the Editor-in-Chief of my high school newspaper. But it was not until being part of this organization with over 400 staffers so dedicated to journalism that they are willing to work crazy hours without pay that I considered journalism as both a prospective career and a part of my identity.
Even beyond the scope of writing and editing, my voice was listened to by the wonderful CD staff, namely our fearless leader, Editor-in-Chief Naima Sawaya. Naima chose me as Social Chair — arguably the funnest job on the Junior Board as I was tasked with bringing a sense of “play hard” to the “work hard” culture clearly established at The Cavalier Daily. To do so, I encouraged across-desk bonding through a Boylan Trivia fundraiser, an All-Staff Field Day, a pickleball tournament and a series of movie and game nights. Naima saw my want for friendship as a strength and encouraged me to build a culture of care and community for myself and the many other staffers still searching for personal connections. With the help of the wonderful Junior Board, I’d like to think I did just that.
My time at the University was one of hardship and endurance, and I am beyond grateful to the friends, family and my fellow CD staffers who helped me to transform my personal struggle to success as a soon-to-be college graduate. Thank you to my parents who worked incredibly hard to give me countless opportunities in life and my two older sisters who were the first people I called when I needed a reason to smile. Thank you to every single friend I made at this University who brought me happy moments and who I will hold close to my heart long after I walk the lawn for the final time — I will miss you all dearly.
As difficult as college was, I did not drop out, I did not give up on myself or my friends in times of need and I shared my voice at every opportunity. And that is something worth celebrating.
I can now confidently say that I am a writer — writing is what I’m good at and I intend to keep writing until my hands can no longer hold a pen or press the buttons on a keyboard. And at that point, I will switch to voice typing. So, as I leave the University with a mind filled with memories and a portfolio filled with articles, I part without sorrow but with pride that I did what once felt impossible — I found a home at this University.
Jackie Bond was the Senior News Associate and Social Chair of the 136th term, a senior news writer of the 135th term and a news writer of the 134th term.
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