What a long strange trip it’s been

The past two years at Chadron State College have been two of the best of my 36-year-old life. As I near graduation I can’t help but reflect. 

Soon after I arrived in Chadron in 2017 I began working at The Chadron Record. After meeting Mike Kennedy, CSC journalism instructor and The Eagle adviser, and talking with my girlfriend, I decided since I’d be in Chadron for the next couple of years anyway I might as well get my bachelor’s degree. 

Little did I know what I was getting myself into. 

Pretty soon I found myself juggling the crazy hours of being a professional journalist, the workload of a full-time student, and the demands of being the sports editor at The Eagle. It was unlike anything I had undertaken in my life – my existence was suddenly dominated by moving from one task to another. Rare was the day, or even sometimes the hour when I could escape the responsibilities of all three.

But work didn’t always feel like work. Standing on the sidelines with my camera and notepad in hand was always a privilege I never took for granted. One I’ll  miss dearly.

As I take my leave from CSC and The Eagle there are many I should thank. Kennedy for everything he’s done to make me a better journalist and photographer. Kerri Rempp, director of Dawes County Tourism and my former editor at The Chadron Record for being the best damn journalist I’ve ever met – and a shining example of who an editor should be. Con Marshall for his sage wisdom and fair criticism. Athletes like Dalton Holst, Taryn Foxen, and Wade French, who were always willing to talk and were quick to provide a quote. Coaches Jay Long and Brett Hunter who always seemed to welcome my presence around the team, and of course former CSC men’s basketball coach Houston Reed – the man was a sports reporter’s dream coach. And I can’t forget Dustin Luper who was easily the best quote of the bunch.

Academically, I’d be remiss not to mention Shaunda French-Collins, associate professor of communication and CMAT department chair, and her willingness to lend a sympathetic ear, tolerate a mental breakdown, and offer good advice even though I was (just barely) her elder. 

I should also thank all of my classmates over these couple of years. I have always appreciated how accepting you were of a classmate in his mid-30s. You have all impressed me so much. I could fill this entire paper with advice for you, but I’ll keep it to this: go forward confidently, but don’t be afraid to ask for help. No matter how hard you work, there will be tough times and not everyone in this world has their efforts rewarded with what they deserve. If you happen to be one of the lucky ones who rises to the heights of success, remember to reach back and pull someone else up with you – that’s how you build a true legacy. I hope if you only learned one thing from having a class with me it’s that it’s never too late to make a change in your life. It’s never easy, but worthwhile pursuits so rarely are. 

To my colleagues at The Eagle, both current and former, it’s been weird and great and I’m so grateful to have had this experience to create beside you. You know I love you all and wish you nothing but the best. 

To Devin Fulton, my successor as The Eagle’s sports editor, the lifeblood of CSC and one of the most impressive young people I’ve met during this endeavor – you made this entire experience brighter and more colorful. Helping you grow as a student and journalist is an honor I’ll always cherish. 

And of course, to my lovely girlfriend Marina, thank you for your never-ending support. 

To everyone I may have missed, I apologize. There’s just too many to thank in such a small space. 

I had a blast. As a wise man once said – drive fast, take chances.