Retirement, as you can tell, has been treating me well. When people ask me now if I miss it, I laugh and tell them some things I definitely don't miss. But I don't always get to tell them about the things I really do miss.
My time at the University was shaped by the people who showed me grace and kindness and by those who had confidence in me, even when I struggled to have it in myself.
My time here taught me to look for the genuine, human connection in every moment.
Individuals and communities can use sports to inspire, to hold space, to heal, to break molds, to change narratives, to honor faith or to come home.
I surrounded myself with people who were so enthusiastic about the University and its potential, that after a while, it was impossible not to feel their passion and their convictions rub off on me.
Advocate for yourself unabashedly, even and especially when you feel like you don’t belong.
In retirement, I am also trying not to be hard on myself — I don’t have to hold onto all the mistakes that I made as an editor.
I have seen what student journalism can do — it can highlight the marginalized, influence the majority and spark conversations.
Four years at the University have taught me what it means to make an impact despite setbacks.
Ultimately, though, I now know that success in a role is possible if deep-seated passion is the main source of motivation.
If you ever find yourself stuck in the Doldrums, know that you are not alone. Look to your surroundings for escape. You will know the way out.
I believe that while the University can never erase its past, it can create a brighter future for the descendants of the groups it has harmed.
But if I could do it all again, I would spend less time dwelling on my failures and more time recognizing the learning opportunities that they were.
Your voice is important. Do not let anyone else tell you otherwise, even if it is a fellow student abusing their position of power.
The experience of uncertainty, though, has taught me to relinquish some of the control which I have held onto, white-knuckled, for so much of my life.
The world becomes increasingly competitive, judgemental and dismal as one gets older, and I cannot express the importance of creativity during this time.
At the end of the day, it is not readership that will make me feel proud or fulfilled when I graduate in a few weeks. It’s that I can say I’ve connected other students in some way, brought some source of joy, even if just for one couple.
Thank you to everyone who has supported me and my little camera, making me feel like more than just ‘the camera girl’.
I would not change a single thing that I have done or said. My only regret is not having said more.
