September 2022 seems like a lifetime ago. I spent my first few weeks on Grounds adapting to college life, trying to wrap my head around the fact that I had four whole years in Charlottesville ahead of me. I figured it’d be spent making lifelong friends, eating Bodo’s and watching bad football. It was then that I made the seemingly insignificant choice to attend a Cavalier Daily interest meeting — a decision that would end up giving me many more moments to savor than I thought I’d get when I arrived on Grounds.
I subsequently became a Copy staffer, but I had no intention of furthering my involvement beyond the desk. I was content with putting in my two hours every week, making sure that articles were fact-checked and fit with our style guide. If someone had told me then that I’d go on to serve two years managing two desks of 20 staffers each, I really don’t know what my reaction would’ve been. One of terror, most likely.
But I went on to do just that, and I got over the terror pretty quickly. At the end of 2023, I made the huge jump from being on the Copy staff to directly managing both the Sports and Life desks. The role of assistant literary editor had only just been created during the term prior to mine, making me the first to ever actually be elected to the job. This significance was not lost on me, and I knew that I could use my remaining time on the paper to continue the great work done by my predecessor, as well as truly make the job my own.
Through three men’s basketball coaches, two swimming national championships and far too many transfer portal announcements, the Sports staff and I helped cover the highs and lows of Virginia Athletics. We worked hard to deliver timely coverage during a time when college athletics itself was undergoing a huge transformation. Meanwhile, from featuring traditional University events to exploring Charlottesville’s many, many restaurants, the Life staff and I helped to capture what it really looks like to be a University student.
I was elected at a time when the University looked very different than it does now. At the time of my first print edition as ALE, Shannon Library just reopened after three years of construction, and Tony Bennett was battling through his last season at the helm over at John Paul Jones Arena. Since then, Grounds has changed physically and institutionally, making this a fascinating four years to attend the University.
However, one part of my University experience stayed the same through it all. For two years, I was surrounded by a group of extremely talented, dedicated people who helped shape my time on the paper and, by extension, my college career. Over time, co-editors became close friends who made the endless hours in the basement of Newcomb Hall worth it.
The Cavalier Daily would’ve become the biggest part of my life for two years regardless of who I worked with. As anyone who’s held a Junior or Managing Board position can attest, our jobs are hard and demand a unique level of commitment. However, I can say without a doubt that I wouldn’t be nearly as proud of the work that I did — nor, frankly, would I have even run for a second term — if it wasn’t done alongside the people I worked with.
In that vein, I’d be remiss if I didn’t mention a few people who made my time at The Cavalier Daily not just fulfilling, but unforgettable. To the writers on the Sports and Life desks, I appreciate each and every one of you — I didn’t say that enough over two years, but your editors would be nothing without your work. To Xander, Michael and Ben, thank you for your unrivaled passion for what you do, and Go Hoos. To Kate and Mia, thank you for your unwavering dependability, creativity and willingness to do countless late-night live-editing sessions with me. To Nate and Naima, thank you for taking my calls at 11:30 p.m. when I was freaking out about print pieces. To Grace and Hailey, thank you for running such tight ships. To Claire, thank you for asking me to shadow you two-and-a-half years ago. And Dana, keep up the incredible work — I’m so proud of you.
Now that I’m happily retired and facing whatever comes after graduation, I realize that my days look very different from the ones I spent as an editor. I used to wake up each morning and frantically check for and respond to any late-night article emergencies that occurred while I was asleep. Today, the first thing I did this morning was eat a real breakfast — an afterthought during my editorship. And last night, instead of mobilizing a backup article for print, I read for pleasure — a regrettably rare occurrence over the past two years.
Clearly, my life has slowed down since retiring from the paper. However, that has allowed me to reflect on how different my college career turned out to be than I thought it would back in September 2022. Admittedly — and very fortunately — the football got way better, and I certainly consumed more Grit coffee than I did Bodo’s bagels. But I was right in predicting that I would form relationships that I’ll carry well beyond graduation. I have that not-so-insignificant 2022 interest meeting to thank for that.
With the last words I’ll ever contribute to this paper, I’ll offer some advice to the editors of the 137th term and those who succeed them — enjoy your time in that basement office. Write down all the stupidly funny things your co-editors say. Keep a disposable camera around the office. Always designate someone to bring baked goods to print nights. The work you’re doing is rightfully stressful and extremely important to the University community, but just remember to enjoy it when you can.
Blaine Hutchens was assistant literary editor for the 135th and 136th terms, a copy senior associate during the 134th term and a copy staffer during the 133rd term.
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