When I was in high school, I tore my labrum. Once I realized that i was no longer going to be able to wrestle my senior year, I decided to pick up a camera and cover my high school basketball team.
I didn’t fully know what I was getting myself into, but for as long as I can remember I have always loved taking pictures. One day, an old friend from my hometown in New Jersey called to let us know that they would be checking out this college called Slippery Rock University, an hour from where I live now.
Now, to be honest, I had never heard of this place and didn’t really think I’d get much out of it, but I wanted to see an old friend so we headed over to SRU. Little did I know that this would be the turning point of who I am today.
Once we arrived, I was trying to find a major that interested me, and that’s when I came across a stand for the communications department. I enjoyed taking pictures for my high school team and I wondered what kinds of opportunities they offered. Immediately, Dr. Charles started selling me on all of the cool internships that students have been doing with various professional organizations. Yeah, this was cool and all, but what he said next shaped my whole future.
He brought out this slightly-yellowing newspaper. Dr. Charles starts telling me about this student-run, nationally-recognized newspaper. Now, I haven’t always been super interested in what’s going on in the news, but it didn’t even matter. He told me about how they are the only newspaper in Slippery Rock and how they cover everything there is to know about the town.
I remember that we were talking so long about it that my parents had to pull me away to continue with the rest of the tour. I went home and told all of my friends about how I was going to go to Slippery Rock and join The Rocket. I talked about how I was going to get published in a real newspaper.
About a week after arriving to campus, I got an email from the secretary saying that The Rocket was hiring. Immediately I emailed the at-time Editor-in-Chief (EIC) Nina Ciprani, sending her in my pictures from those high school basketball games. I soon after got an email back, giving me a Google Form to fill out as well as to set up an interview time.
I walked into that room nervous that I didn’t have enough experience to even have a chance. Whether it was luck or fate, they had just lost both of their photographers last semester, landing me the Assistant Photo Editor position. I guess I didn’t have enough experience, because there was still no Photo Editor, but I was very happy to have been given an opportunity.
I got started right away as Tyler Howe, who would turn out to become one of my best friends, needed me to cover soccer. So me and my little Rebel T7 ran down to the soccer field for a girl’s soccer game. Now I had barely even watched soccer, let alone take pictures for it, but I was up for the challenge.
Ty ended up liking the pics and we got along really well. That next Saturday, he brought me to a football game and from then on, it was like clockwork. There was this kid who I had every single class with my first semester who told me that he writes sports. I immediately forced him to come apply for The Rocket. He would go on to get the job and become one of my best friends who would be with me through every step of this journey. Towards the end of my first semester, I was promoted to the Photo Editor position. This allowed me to cover everything that has to do with Slippery Rock. At the end of my first year, I was hiring an Assistant Photo Editor. Little did I know, I would be hiring my best friend and the person that would help me to become the man I am today. The next three years felt like they flew by. I was able to cover so many cool events and meet so many cool people.
Now its time to get to the sappy part that everyone hates.
Dr. Fleming: Thank you for every opportunity that you have given me. From allowing me to go to DC as a little freshman even to today, allowing me to cover the Haverlack College of Business unveiling. You have always believed in me and allowed me to become the professional that I am today. Thank you for everything.
Ty: Thank you for believing in me no matter what. No matter what it was, you always were in my corner telling me that it’s easy. If you would have told freshman me that I would meet a lifelong friend right across The Rocket office, I would have told you that you were lying. You have truly helped me every single step of the way and helped me to be the man I am today. Thank you for everything and congrats on getting married, you deserve it.
Sarah: You weren’t on staff when I joined, but you basically were on staff anyway. We didn’t really even fully get along when we first met either, but over time, you have become one of my best friends. From that first print I was at as a little freshman to the last print we got to work together, you have always been a helping hand in anything that anyone had trouble with. You sometimes would help others too much that you’d stress yourself out with your own work. Thank you for guiding me through the terrors of InDesign and everything else you have done for me and everyone else.
James and Zac: You guys are kind of like a package deal. Coming over from TV at the same time to run our news section. James, you always knew how to make the entire room laugh, whether it was with or at you, and you always treated everyone with kindness. I have enjoyed hearing the updates from Dr. Fleming and whenever you pop in about the documentary that you’re producing, and I am excited to see the finished product. Zac, you always knew how to rein him in when needed, and always made sure everything got done. I heard you’re at the Trib now, and that sounds awesome. Keep up the good work, both of you, I look forward to hearing about it.
Katie Shope: We didn’t get to know each other super well until the end of your time at SRU, but I am glad to have worked alongside you. You were always quick with what ads we had and made sure that everything ran smoothly. Also, it was cool to learn climbing stuff from you. I hope you are doing well.
Hanzy: You weren’t on staff for super long, but I am glad to have been able to spend some late nights in the office with you working on pages and talking about sports. You were always helpful in the office and a very good writer.
Teiko: You brought back the Multimedia section back to what it is today. You were able to create stories that people wanted to watch. We never got super close, but you were always able to make everyone laugh and I thank you for that.
Katie: Thank you for putting up with me for two years and helping me to become the photographer that I am today. I never in a million years thought that I would be hiring my best friend, but I am very happy that you made it to your interview that day. You always thought you annoyed me, but I always loved talking to you. You always were doing all of these cool shoots and weddings, and I was amazed by the work you produced. You have saved me through so many print nights and stressful times in general and I cannot thank you enough. Although I can’t ask you to make any more cutouts, you will still always be my #1 supporter. You have shaped me into becoming the man I am today and I will forever be grateful for you.
Aidan: I don’t know what I was thinking when this basically-random stranger who I had every class with told me that he wrote about sports, and me then thinking he should join The Rocket with me. I had no real friends on campus, and there were a couple of guys that I had every single class with freshman year. Our Sports Editor had told me that his assistant just up and quit, so I knew you should act fast. Little did I know I would be joining with one of my best friends. I am very thankful that I have been able to see you grow and become the writer you are today, even eventually becoming the EIC. I know that you can achieve whatever you set your mind to if you can get that under control. Today, you also write your goodbye as we head to the next step of the road. Thank you for everything that you have done for me and for The Rocket over the past four years, I wouldn’t have wanted anyone else by my side.
Gillian and Annabelle: Even though we didn’t start off as friends, I am glad to have gotten to know you guys and truly consider you my friends. Even if that means driving you guys to and from the bar all the time, I am grateful for the time we spent together. Next time you’re driving, Gillian, obviously.
Paige and Noelle: It has been fun, guys. Thank you Noelle for attending the Wednesday all-nighters, and thank you Paige for editing from home. Noelle, you have become a very good sportswriter, and you have been able to lead the sports section to what it is today. Paige, you have been able to turn a very dormant social media page into a place that people can rely on getting their news from. Even though you two can get a little distracted at print, at least I know it’s because you’ve always finished your work.
Garrett: You have always been someone I know I can mess with in the office, in a good way. I always know that we are gonna talk the most shit about each other, and then laugh right after because we know that none of it is true, at least whatever you’re saying. All jokes aside, I really have enjoyed being with you on staff, from the football sidelines to the all-nighters in the office, you were always there. Also, I guess you do make pretty cool graphics. For real though, keep it up and you can do whatever you want to.
Kayla: You always meet everyone with a smile (unless they “make fun” of you, but whatever). Thank you for always making sure your section was done first, because it really helped me on those long Wednesday nights. You are always so full of life and you brighten any room you’re in. Thank you for everything you’ve done. Maybe you can come to the beach with us this summer.
Dearl: When I had to hire a new assistant, I knew that I wanted someone who resembled me as a freshman. Someone who is excited about photography and wants to learn. Although you have a long way to go, I am happy to have been a part of your journey and to have been able to see your progress. Keep working and I know you can be the best.
Miles and Will: To be honest, I haven’t been able to get super close to you guys, but you have always been cool to talk to. I also know that you are both very talented writers and you guys are going to do great things.
Chloe: I always know I can count on you when there is a graphic I really don’t want to do. Thank you for bringing your creativity and energy into the office each day, and I am excited to see what you accomplish.
August: Thank you for making sure that I graduated by bringing my camera back. Although we aren’t super close, I am glad to have worked alongside you and have watched you create amazing videos. I know you will do great things.
To our extra staff in the TV office: I am very happy to have shared a space with you guys for the last couple of years, and I cherish the friendships that I have made with you guys. You are all extremely talented and I know that you will all get to do amazing things.
And to everyone and anyone I missed: Thank you all truly for everything you have done for me, and thank you to the place I will forever call home. The Rocket has been full of unforgettable memories that I will cherish for the rest of my life, and it has set me up to enter the professional world. I am sad to close this chapter of my life, but I am happy to enter a new one.
Eddie out.
