The end of a semester is always bittersweet and it seems strange to even be saying that we are nearing the close of the semester. Though we did not publish fewer papers than normal, it still feels like we are working on the last one too soon. As always, the semester flew by and I do not feel at all prepared to leave Oswego for break. In my final column of the semester, it seems only right to pay tribute to the graduating seniors that have made my life worlds easier throughout the past ten weeks and reflect on my first semester as editor-in-chief. 

First, a huge congratulations to Sydney Havens, Ethan Stinson and Abigail Connolly on their future graduation from SUNY Oswego! Not to be cliché, but I have had the pleasure of working with all of them for many years and they will be sorely missed next semester.

I met Sydney last year, when she first came on staff as news editor. It took me about halfway through the semester to realize she was also a member of Del Sarte Dance Club and that we were in multiple classes together throughout the week. From there we bonded over AP style and questionable writers, as I worked with her on copy editing and writing news. I am proud to call her my friend and I do not know what I would have done without her running news this year. 

I think Ethan and I have always had a mutual understanding as coworkers, as we both have always come in and gotten things done. My first year on staff as a copy editor, Ethan was assistant laker review editor and I did not see him in person until the year was almost up. Because of COVID, we were not in the office and as the youngest staff members neither of us were that outgoing within the organization. And look at us now, Ethan is submitting his entire 12-page section in record time on Wednesdays and I never have to worry about Laker Review. 

Abby is the only other staff member that has been with the Gonian as long as myself and Ethan have. Again I did not meet her in person until months after seeing her on Zoom for the first time but we quickly became friends. A woman of many talents, Abby has held an incredible array of positions on staff, from opinion editor to managing editor to social media manager to photographer. She has done so much for the organization and I will miss her randomly popping into the office throughout the week. 

Overall I could not have asked for a better group of people to work with this semester. Not only have we been publishing the paper in record time compared to past years, but we have fun doing it. Or at least I hope everyone has as much fun as I do. 

After ten straight weeks of newspapers, it is a relief to be done; I will not miss getting up on Friday mornings to hand deliver papers. I am extremely proud of what we have accomplished this semester and though I am saddened to lose our seniors, I am excited to see what this team will do next semester. 

Until next time, happy holidays and see you in January.