I didn’t read any articles from the website when I tried out for The Daily Texan two years ago. If anyone reading this plans to try out for The Texan, please don’t do this. I didn’t care if I got in or not, and I hardly understood the distinction between passive and active verbs. To put it briefly, I treated the entire situation with indifference.
After that, I entered.
At first, I failed to see the hoopla surrounding The Daily Texan. I recall thinking individuals were exaggerating when they described how this newsroom transformed their lives in their 30 pieces. After two years, I’ve become one of them.
The Texan, and particularly Life&Arts, taught me the value of staying true to what truly inspires you, that the process of creating is more rewarding than the final product, and that sometimes all it takes to establish a connection with a complete stranger is a 20-minute interview.
Life&Arts has given me a lot of stories that have inspired me to think about how I want to live when I’m 80. Some of these include the time I interviewed the man who created the COVID-19 vaccine, the time I had my first moment of stardom when I interviewed Lili Reinhart on the red carpet, and the time I witnessed a Ph.D. student rip off his clothes while lip-syncing to a Slavic song. Luckily, I was not flashed because he was wearing more clothing underneath.
I would first like to thank my first Life&Arts editor, Mimi. When I saw you at open house, I determined that Life&Arts was the only department I wanted to try out for, even though I never told you this, Mimi. I had originally intended to try out for news or opinion. I appreciate you risking your money on me. Without you, I would not be here.
Thank you to Trinity for bringing warmth and joy to every pitch meeting throughout the spring semester, and to Amelia and Flora for being editors who inspired me to remain in the Texan.
I appreciate the joyful, upbeat spirit you bring to everything, Analise. I appreciate your generosity and dedication to this department, Layla. I appreciate you being the greatest senior reporter ever, Ana. And to Tyler, I’m thrilled I got to work with you this summer; you are one of the smartest people I know.
Sydnie and Eyesha, my returning larties, you are both incredibly talented and committed reporters, and I have no doubt that you will succeed at the Texan. I’m thrilled that my new larties, Katie, Aubrey, Jewel, and Emily, have chosen to try out for our department, and I’m so pleased of how much you’ve all changed in such a short time.
Thank you to my sister for always believing in me in everything I do, and to my parents for enthusiastically supporting my journalism goals.
I can’t express how grateful I am to The Daily Texan for giving me what college students rarely have early on: a clear sense of what I want to do with my life. Regardless, I am grateful to The Daily Texan for providing me with a collegiate experience that I will always cherish and for shedding light on a life path I was unaware I was destined for.
