By Maddie Bundy
It’s hard to describe what this team has done for me. When I joined the newspaper as a multimedia editor, I thought I was coming in to shoot and edit videos, but I found something much bigger. I found another family where ideas came to life, deadlines turned into late-night laughter, and every edition was built with heart, grit, lots of caffeine, and ink on our fingers when delivering the papers.
All of you have not just been fellow writers, editors and photographers, but a family. You’ve challenged, helped and inspired me. You’ve demonstrated to me being bold when producing new videos, thoughtful in post-production, and compassionate as a colleague. From brainstorming about stories to the mad dash against press deadlines, I never felt anything other than where I needed to be. I’m happy I decided to apply for a staff position instead of sticking to being a contributor.
Hayden,
Your leadership has left a lasting impression on me. It has taught me that leading with integrity and imagination is of the highest value. Your enthusiasm for storytelling is infectious, and you always have the right question to strike at the heart of a story. I will never forget your energy in each meeting, print week, and team game nights.
Chloe,
Thanks for being the fire that fuels our presence and makes our spirits glow. You bring energy, humor, and creative genius to everything you do, and even during our most chaotic planning meetings, you make it enjoyable. Your behind-the-scenes efforts have been precious, and your laughter has kept us going on late nights.
Gillian and Paige,
Your attention to detail and commitment to keeping us in top-notch shape never went unnoticed. You taught me that great storytelling isn’t in the big picture—it’s in the commas, the headlines, and the rhythm of every word.
Eddie and Katie,
Your cameras gave our pages life. Your photos did not merely tell stories—your photos told stories. Eddie, I’ll never forget how much you loved taking all the action photos. Katie, your calming demeanor and emotional imagery created our visual identity.
Andrei and Audrey,
Thanks for the mutual reminders that news has to be strong and necessary. Andrei, your policy and political deep dives made me want to be a good journalist. Audrey, your sharp curiosity and dedication to our community were the grounding forces in our newsroom, reminding us why we do what we do.
Annabelle and Kayla,
You both brought such heart to the human side of our publication. Annabelle, your writing was poetic even in prose, and Kayla, your creativity and warmth made student life stories come alive, and finding the unique stories, like Pluto the robotic dog.
Aidan and Noelle,
Your dedication to sports coverage was inspiring. Aidan, your focus and energy were unmatched—I swear you live and breathe Rocket Green. Noelle, your sharp wit and insight brought stats and stories to life.
Each of you brought something irreplaceable to the newsroom. As I leave, know I carry much of what I’ve learned here. Thank you for enabling me to be a part of this incredible ride. I shall never forget our newsroom with heart and great appreciation.
Continue sharing those stories that count. I am going to be with you every step.
With love and ink-stained hands, I take my final leave.
– Maddie
