Having been in this organization longer than anyone on staff, it’s kind of a strange sensation to be writing my senior farewell. I have poured my heart and soul into the Review, the website (www.washburnreview.org) and the Kaw Yearbook for the last five years, and I really don’t know how to function without being a member of student media.

During my time, I’ve been the Arts & Entertainment Editor for two years, Sports Editor, Assistant Web Editor, Online Editor-in-Chief, Copy Editor, Yearbook Photo Editor and now back to Sports Editor for the final semester of my career.  I’ve done almost everything there is to do as a student journalist, from taking photos and writing stories to selling ads and helping plan events such as the Jayhawk Revival. It’s been an incredible experience to be in each of these positions, and I learned so much. I encourage future staffers to try new things and go for different positions on staff.

I’ve seen a ton of changes during my time here, and though I haven’t always been a fan of them, I am happy to see the way our publications have developed and evolved over the years-particularly the website and its social media applications. I hope in the years to come that our future editors will use those services to the best of their capabilities to provide quality coverage to the students.

It’s been a long and strange journey, and I’m thankful for those I’ve met along the way. In particular, I want to thank Regina Cassell for always having faith in me and pushing me to be the best I can as a writer and her husband Gene for all the help he’s given me. I’d also like to thank ReAnne Wentz for taking a chance on me when I first started and letting me become Arts and Entertainment Editor, Valerie Caviglia for getting me involved with the website and Mike Goehring for taking the time to teach me how to be a real photographer and taking the time himself to be a real friend. I have several others I’d like to thank, as well: my family, especially my grandparents; Regina Marie Stephenson; Garrett and Caley Love; Linnzi “Lizo” Fusco; Chris Marshall; and Eric Smith. Without you all I don’t know how I would have gotten through the past five years without pulling my hair out and joining the circus, so for that I am eternally grateful.

I’m off to bigger and better things, now, trying to figure out what type of fast food jobs you can get with a degree in mass media. I’m terrified, as all seniors are at this point in the year, but I’m excited to see what comes next.

In conclusion, thanks for being my friends.