The time has finally come for me to say farewell to The Oswegonian and my time as news editor. I started writing for paper two years ago. I was a sophomore broadcasting major who had just transferred to Oswego only a few months prior. I knew nothing about the paper, but I figured it would be a great way to practice my writing skills. Little did I know that by the next semester I would be the news editor and by my senior year I would have made some of my favorite college memories in this office.
When I came to Oswego I knew nothing about the college. I had not even stepped foot on the campus prior to moving here. I had no idea what clubs to join, what professors I would have or the friends I would make along the way. COVID-19 also threw a wrench in my college plans, which I am sure many people can relate to. However, The Oswegonian gave me the opportunity to truly know the campus community. I interviewed everyone from professors, to Mayor Billy Barlow, to local business people, leaders of clubs and sometimes random people on the street. The news editor position taught me how to work with a team, how to handle stress and how passionate the people of Oswego are about Tully’s chicken tenders, among many other things.
With that being said, my transition into news editor was not a smooth one. I originally applied for the role of assistant news editor, but the News Editor position suddenly opened up. The previous editor had another obligation and could no longer hold the position. I leapt into my new role as news editor a week later. I had barely any training, I had never had a staff position at the paper, and I had zero experience with our editing software InDesign.
Anyone could probably guess how my first week as the editor went. For the sake of full transparency, I spent most of that first week crying in the office. I contemplated quitting, and I truly did not believe I was cut out for the responsibility. This is where my appreciation for my co-workers comes in.
One person from the office saw me struggling and approached me. That person was Abby Connolly. She was the managing editor of the Oswegonian at the time, and she showed me that the office could be a safe space, not one where I cried every night. Abby checked in on me and made me feel comfortable to admit when I needed help. She was one of the first people on campus who showed me unconditional kindness and helped me feel like I belonged in the Oswegonian office.
I would also like to thank Ethan Stinson for helping me through those tough weeks. Ethan and I have known each other since middle school and we are also roommates. Ethan is the Laker Review editor and he had been on the Oswegonian staff for a couple semesters before I had. Ethan answered every question I had without complaint and trust me there were lots of them. As my roommate, he also had to deal with me coming home upset and rambling about all of the ways I was overwhelmed. He taught me most of what I know about Indesign, emails, assigning stories and everything in between.
Abby and Ethan are only some of the people who helped shape my time here over the past few years. From the guidance and kindness I received from our former Editor-in-Chief Brandon Ladd, to the friendship I found in people like Annika Wickham, Abigail Conpropst, Spencer Bates, John Custodio and Mackenzie Shields. All of these people, the writers who contributed throughout the semesters and everyone else who has been part of the office have shaped my college experience. I could not thank everyone enough for the love, support and laughter that was had in that tiny office in the Marano Campus Center.
I will forever be grateful for the people and experiences I have had during my time at SUNY Oswego and I can not wait to see how this office grows over the next few years. As for myself, I am headed to WROC in Rochester to be a news producer. Although leaving my position as news editor makes me sad, it brings me a lot of joy to know that I will be leaving it in good hands. I am honored to be passing this position to Mackenzie Shields, our current opinion editor. Mackenzie is an amazing journalist, but an even better person and I know she will do wonderful things for the Oswegonian news section. If you want to know what it is like to be part of this family, we are always looking for writers. I can say with confidence that they will welcome you with open arms and you will not regret it.
Sydney Havens | The Oswegonian
