When I first applied, The Daily Texan ignored me. Well, perhaps I’m exaggerating a little. I submitted an application. I set up the second round of the news department’s writing test with the editor after finishing the first one. Wednesday, September 7, at 2:00 p.m. I would then get an email with the second round’s instructions. However, there was no email when 2 p.m. rolled around.
I was concerned. An hour or so later, I sent the dreaded follow-up email, which would eventually become a journalist’s ritual.
I slacked on my keyboard because my class starts at 4:00 and doesn’t end until 5:30. For your edits, I just wanted to make sure I would have enough time to submit the piece. I can’t wait to start writing!
I was fueled by the thrill I described. When I think back on my first semester of college, joining the Texans’ staff was the sole goal I had in mind. To be honest, I didn’t care how, but I was certain that I wanted to help. As a part of my undergraduate experience, I always looked forward to reading The Daily Texan.
I was alarmed about the missing email. Would I be unable to attempt again for another semester?
The writing exam incident eventually came to an end, and I was hired into the news section, where I began a crucial phase of my undergraduate education and early professional life. I had so many opportunities with the Texan. There was the time I talked to two volleyball players from Texas about our common Native Hawaiian ancestry and the time I interviewed the Danish artist who created the Pease Park troll.
The welcoming faces at the Texan, however, who influenced my time here, are more significant than the pieces I wrote and edited. Although I am grateful for the chances provided by the Texan, I will always respect and be grateful to the friends and coworkers I made in the Basement.
I want to thank Sam for answering my follow-up email and allowing me to join the crew despite the fact that the deadline had already past. Finding a sense of belonging in this enormous machine was made simple by your warmth and friendliness as my first editor at the Texan.
I’m so happy that Morgan, my best friend, and I were matched for mentorships in the journalism department that fall. As the managing editor and news editor, you continued to mentor me, which fueled my development as a budding reporter. I’m honored to still refer to you as a close friend and mentor. By the way, thanks for putting me in touch with Tom!
Thank you for being such wonderful friends, Ali, Isabella, Joelle, and Sarah, the Plucker’s trivia crew. I will always remember the numerous snipes at Moody and coming close to first place.
Thank you to Mason, my traveling companion, for your unwavering friendship and for always being my sounding board. I can’t wait to visit Santa Fe with pals.
I want to thank Manoo for being such a willing photo editor when I made the decision to get the Texan a camera. But I apologize for kind of slacking. I appreciate you being my personal photographer, an enthusiastic team player, and an invaluable mentor both in Ireland and at the Texan.
I’m grateful to Katie for taking a chance on me and providing me with the opportunity of a lifetime. I will always remember our time together in the management office and your insightful inquiries, which helped to mold me into the editor I am today. I apologize for capping on New York, but I’m so happy we were able to diva down in Dublin together.
Thank you to Raya, Trisha, and Athena, the Basement bad guys, for making work so much fun. You were always the life of the party and made me giggle till my sides hurt. I can’t wait to see you all again soon because I’ve missed you all this summer.
You’re a third of the way there, Ava! I can’t wait to see how you mold the Texan’s voice in the spring and fall. Continue your excellent work.
I want to thank Peter for his wise counsel and unwavering support. Although there is a lot of lore about you in the Basement, it has been really fulfilling to come to know you throughout my managerial tenure. I will miss our discussions about the perplexing status of media and journalism in your office.
Over the past three years, working with and getting to know you, Kylee, has been an absolute pleasure. This fall, I can’t wait to watch you lead the Texan! For you, I hope I left it in a decent position.
Thank you for being such a strong news editor and wonderful friend this summer, Matthew. I enjoyed our gossip sessions every time. I can’t wait for you and Kylee to move into my office and influence the coverage of the publication. But please! A cease and desist letter will be placed on your desk if you continue to spread false information about me in the Basement.
I want to thank my coworkers Alyssa and Newt for their unwavering support and assistance. Without you two, I couldn’t have completed this task. I appreciate you staying up late and enduring the frequent time differences. I’m excited to see what you guys do next.
Riddhi, Lauren, Brian, Taylor, Pili, Saron, Miranda, Kennedy, Grace, Clara, Yesenia, and Mazzy are the chiefs of my departments. Thank you. The Texan is what it is because of your time, commitment, and hard work. Without you, it would not have been possible.
To my family, especially my dad, thank you for your constant support and praise. Hearing your kind feedback about my work is empowering. Dad, I know you don t read all of my stories, but you always sit down with the ones that I think are the most important. I appreciate everything you’ve done to get me here.
I d thank many more people if I didn t have a word count I already surpassed, so if you weren t explicitly mentioned but you played a part in all of this, thank you.
What started as a near-apparitional application process became such a formative and profound time in my life. No matter where I go or what I do, I ll always have The Daily Texan to thank for turning me into the reporter, photographer and editor that I am today. It s bittersweet to hang up my hat, but I ll have these great years and stories to look back on.
