An open letter to the Chron team seniors
By Justin Smith
This Sunday Read marks my final responsibility as a member of The Marlin Chronicle. I am extremely grateful for my time with the paper. From workshop writer to section editor to editor-in-chief, the past two and half years have taught me many important things. Instead of writing 500 or so words on how The Marlin Chronicle has shaped me into the person I am today, I want to draw attention to a group of people who were just as influential.
One of the effects of a newsroom is its power to draw together people of different backgrounds and personalities. While I hold memories and bonds with everyone I’ve work alongside with, the commonality shared between all the graduating seniors this year has been significant. The infamous “senioritis”, the mental breakdowns, the questioning of our futures...all things that we experienced together in and out of the newsroom. Now that I’ve finally gotten to the point of what I’m writing about, here is an open letter to the Chron team seniors:
Ashlei: Although you graduated in December, I’m including you in this letter. You and I have pretty much been through everything from the get-go. We worked in the Batten Center together, went through the entire communication major together, and became members of the Chronicle at the same time. I know you’re already doing great things and making “adulting” look easy, but I can remember those nights when you were freaking out about post-grad life and I tried my best to keep your head level. I’m thankful for you because just a few months ago, the tables were turned. I was freaking out about graduating and you were there to calm me down. As you’ve already began your next chapter, I know that you will continue to thrive and succeed. You’ve got big aspirations and I have no doubt you will accomplish them.
Brianna: I feel bad for the newsroom after May 19 because you were the light of the newspaper. You never failed to make people laugh (either with you or at you) and with the stresses of senior year, laughter is important. Our weekly meetings were always a treat, from you freaking out about being late but arriving 10 minutes early anyways to you and Corey picking at each other like siblings. The quality of yours that I love the most is your “no filter” attitude. You say what’s on your mind and how you feel regardless of who’s in the room or how it comes out. Any person outside of the Chronicle might have been offended if they stepped foot into the newsroom during one of your rants, but I find your...colorful language endearing. I may never understand why you call me Linda, but I’m going to miss hearing it.
Amanda: First off, I want to thank you for being a supportive wife. I know neither one of us were planning on eloping when we went to Dallas, but you can’t help fate. While other readers try to determine if my previous two statements are truthful, I want to say just how thankful I am to go through senior year with you. Our conversations always became a release of stress for the two of us. People probably thought we were depressive, but little did they know...they were right, as senior year dimmed our sparks of hope and ambition. I always found myself drawn to you during deadline nights, one, so we could complain about our daily struggles, but two, you just have this comfortable and easy-going vibe. Although you are off to do great things in life, don’t let what that homeless woman in Dallas said to you sike you out.
Corey: You are the living definition of the saying “don’t judge a book by its cover.” I’m going to be honest, I did see us becoming friends when I first met you. Now that speaks more to my character flaw of judging others, but I’m very grateful for the Chronicle as I probably would have never gotten to know you. You and I began the paper at the same time and I can honestly say that you’ve made it the fun environment that we’ve all come to love. This may be selfish of me, but my favorite past time (especially during senior year) is witnessing you freak out. I never thought you could physically see panic flow through a person’s body, that was until I met you. I want to thank you for making the trip to Dallas one to remember. The debauchery that took place just about every day was something that only Corey King could produce. As I said, I didn’t expect us to get along because we were so different, but I’ve slowly learned we aren’t that different. We both have big dreams and high ambition to make those dreams reality. I look forward to seeing you succeed in life.
Julie: Our friendship began far before you joined the Chron team, but has just been reinforced since then. I’m thankful for the elevator screaming, the podcast that we inconsistently record, and of course, the self-deprecation. You nailed our friendship on the head by saying “we tear each other down just to build each other back up...still waiting on the building up part.” I love that whenever we insult each other, instead of rebutting we just agree with the comment. People may think we have an unhealthy friendship, but we have moments of sentiment and kindness. You have been an inspiration and I am thankful for the lessons you’ve taught me since I met you. I can’t wait to see where you head in life because I know it’ll be something great. You have so much knowledge and so many ideas that will benefit so many people.
As my days are numbered here at Wesleyan, I’ve come to learn that if someone has had an impact on you or you value someone, let them know. I don’t mean to sound pessimistic, but it’s the reality of the situation: we’re all not going to see each other for a while after we graduate. I know you all will do tremendous things and take on amazing opportunities in the future. I am thankful for all five of you for making senior year something special. (P.S. I like one of you slightly more than the others, so have fun figuring it out!)
Sincerely,
Justin
(Photo | Justin Smith)