A goodbye I am not prepared to say

I am a sentimental person. I always have been. Looking around the newsroom, every corner is oozing memories. 

I don’t think I will ever be able to look at a box of Safeway muffins, drink Mountain Dew or smell cigarette smoke without thinking about Mr. K. 

I know that every time I see someone throwing around a ball, I think of Brandon Davenport. Every time he gives me advice or comments, I always picture him leaning back in the editor’s chair throwing a baseball in the air. 

Every time I write I hear Aubrie Lawrence’s voice in the back of my head. When I think of good leaders, people to look up to, I always think of her. 

I can’t pick up a camera to shoot, without thinking of Mackenzie Dahlberg. Every time I hear a funny sports headline, I can’t help but think of Mack. 

I hope I never make a joke about masculinity without thinking about Velvet Jessen. I doubt I will ever think about people’s necks turning red with anger without thinking of her. 

When I think of supportive people I think of Eben Rosentrator, who never really complained and makes the funniest jokes. I don’t think I can watch a cringy homemade YouTube video without remembering all of his. I know he doesn’t think so but he will fill my empty slot perfectly. 

While Madyson Schliep knows football will always be the thing that reminds me of her. Looking at the computer closest to mine, I know I will always have memories of her backing me up and fighting for me, even when I was wrong or didn’t deserve it. 

I know that not everyone likes The Eagle, but for me and so many others, it is home. 

Three weeks into working here, I remember Brandon and Devon Fulton, hiding behind a plant in the Student Center, messing with me. When they got caught, Devin fell down the stairs of the Pit. 

Chase Vilipando made us all laugh so hard that we were crying, even though it was a night we should have been working and it is seared into my memory. 

We bought SquishMellowa and laid under the table while an angry attorney called us and I can not imagine comfort in any other way. Whenever any of us needed a break we would lie under the table. 

Sometimes I think back to the first time I met Mr. K, Aubrie and Mack, they were some of the most terrifying people I had ever met. I wanted to be just like them. And I did. 

I know that The Eagle has shaped me, one of my friends once mentioned me not being scared to write bada** stories. I could not have imagined doing that my freshman year. 

I realize now how much that has to do with all the people behind me, making me into a person who isn’t scared to go out into the world. 

While I know this is a newspaper goodbye, it is also a goodbye to CSC. I wanted to include the other people that made me who I am since my freshman year. 

Haylee Payton, who I have known my entire college career. If you haven’t met Haylee, you should, she is the best hype girl and deserves the world. 

Alex Peepgrass, while neither one of us can remember meeting each other, I am so glad I did. I can’t imagine a better horse girl to be friends with. 

Trinity Chrisawn, another person I was scared of, who is now my bullying bestie. I love being your friend and I am happy I have gotten to know you.

Christian Miller, who got me to become a resident advisor and is the best boss. The Kent Hall Rated R Staff, if you know you know.

Morgan Cullan and Tawny Tibbits, the two most supportive women on this campus. Thank you for all you have done for me and others. 

Thank you to everyone mentioned and everyone not, for a great four years. 

And remember, “as the world burns, The Eagle soars.”