I have always turned to art when I am at a loss for words — when I have all these thoughts, memories and feelings but cannot seem to find the right way to express them. You would think I’d be better at this given the whole student journalist thing, but putting my past four years at The Cavalier Daily into writing feels … daunting. So, in the face of struggle, I am opting to do what I have done and will continue to do as I navigate life after graduation. I am turning to art.
This parting shot pays homage to one of my favorite albums, “Ends & Begins” by Labrinth. If you have seen the HBO Max drama series “Euphoria,” he is the musical genius behind its score. “Ends & Begins” is a brief, 10-track alternative-pop listening experience about the desire to hold onto something — perhaps a love, perhaps an experience — that you aren’t quite ready to let go of.
“The Feels”
My first article ever was an opinion column that called upon the University to do more for its Iranian students, who at the time were — and yet again are — struggling to grapple with the ongoing upheaval in our country. I am still so proud of this article. Being able to give my community a voice in the face of hardship as a first-year student made me feel an immense sense of gratitude and reward that I wanted to keep striving towards. So, when winter break rolled around, and I received a text from the 134th term’s executive editor Nathan Onibudo encouraging me to apply to be an opinion senior associate editor, I did not hesitate.
“Covering”
I did not get selected to be an opinion SA — womp womp — but I did get chosen to be the opinion columnist on the Editorial Board. This was an incredibly unique and formative experience as someone who was still finding my footing at this University. I loved our weekly meetings, our lengthy voice memo brainstorming sessions, our inside jokes and most importantly, our joint passion for covering pertinent problems our University was faced with. It is worth noting, however, that I joined the Editorial Board having only written one opinion article and would go on to write a whopping number of one more. This should tell you something about my passion for argumentative writing.
“A Turn of Events”
The decision to transfer to the arts & entertainment desk, instead of quitting after first-year, was one of the best choices I’ve ever made. I know people mobilize within the paper all the time, but it’s not every day you go from interviewing Student Council candidates for The Cavalier Daily’s endorsements to writing a film column about stop-motion horror. It was awesome. This turn of events instilled a newfound passion in me, which was that of arts journalism. I have always appreciated art, so it would make sense that writing about it was one of my favorite things to do. I suddenly felt excited going to desk meetings and wanted to write about all sorts of things, from student bands and step dancing in Black fraternities, to the 96th Academy Awards and Billie Eilish’s latest album. Giving local creatives a platform and sharing my unique takes on media gave me a sense of purpose in the arts community that I hadn’t quite found elsewhere on Grounds.
“100 Miles an Hour”
I fell in love with A&E and wanted to give back to the desk what it had given me, so naturally, I sought out leadership within the desk. Becoming SA in the fall of my third year taught me that on top of reveling in the writing and interviewing processes, I enjoyed editing even more. It felt like solving a puzzle, and that puzzle was going to inform the University community about such inspiring people, events and creations. One thing led to another, and I became one of the arts & entertainment editors for the 136th term. After getting elected, everything started to move at 100 miles an hour. All sorts of questions circulated. “Why did we have to go back and replace hundreds of copyrighted images in CEO3?” “What is CEO3?” “Who should I Slack to ask what CEO3 is?” It was overwhelming, to say the least, but I didn’t do it alone.
“Power Couple”
Grace Traxler, my dear friend, this one is for you. From roommates to staff writers to co-editors — and best friends through it all — we have proven to be quite the power couple here at the CD. We navigated these roles with so much shared passion, and I am so proud of us because I firmly believe we left a special mark on the A&E desk. While I have missed the gig from time to time, the aspect I miss the most is working with you. I miss sitting on the office floor together even though it hurt my butt and texting each other scandalous things on our computers during Junior Board meetings. I even miss our Slack channel and the heated interactions that would unfold because you don’t care for unnecessary pleasantries — a quality I admire deeply. But after we graduate this May, I know I won’t have to miss you, Grace. Because our friendship transcends college and the CD and silly rumors that we secretly hate each other. So thank you for your partnership, but more importantly, thank you for your friendship.
“Ends & Begins”
To end, I would like to begin with a few more thank-yous. To JB 136, thank you for an incredible term filled with lots of laughs and wonderful memories. To Hailey, thank you for understanding the importance of arts coverage and providing the desk with the utmost support. To Naima, as many of us like to say, you ran a tight ship. Thank you for your ability to manage us with such care and a contagiously positive attitude. And lastly, thank you to our A&E writers, for without you, none of our work would be possible. Your contributions to the desk have not only informed me but inspired me to play closer attention to the arts at the University and beyond. I hope you move forward with the same passion you brought to A&E and always remember that the best things in life end & begin with art.
Leila Mohajer was an arts & entertainment editor for the 136th term of The Cavalier Daily, a senior associate A&E editor and senior writer for the 135th term and an opinion columnist on the Editorial Board for part of 134th term.
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