Three weeks into my first year, I grew the courage to join my first Good Five Cent Cigar meeting. I had no idea how much the organization would mean to me four years later.
I knew nothing about writing articles. Admittedly, I only joined the Cigar to do the newscast, but my insecurities called me a “slacker” if I didn’t take a story at the very first meeting I joined. Thank God that I did.
Week after week, I decided to keep coming back to the Zoom meetings. With everything online in the midst of the pandemic, there were a lot of people who stopped coming after two or three meetings. Something kept me coming back, but I couldn’t tell what it was at that point. Now, I think it was fate.
As I jumped from contributing reporter, to staff reporter, to news editor and editor-in-chief, my title didn’t just change. I changed as a person, a writer, a leader, a friend and a student. Four years later, I can’t fathom how much of an impact this organization has made on me.
When I first became Editor-in-Chief, I wanted to bring the Cigar to new heights. During my tenure, the Cigar got a new website, started a newsletter and continuously worked to make the Cigar a more fun, welcoming space. I leave with a heavy heart, but I’m so proud of everything the Cigar was able to accomplish this year.
To Jason Phillips and Adam Zangari – I’m so thankful that you two were at the helm my first year on e-board. You showed me what it takes to run this paper, and the impact that both of you have had on it will carry on for generations to come. Jason, thank you for your continued support throughout my year as EIC. I wouldn’t have been able to do it without you.
Every editor that worked under my “reign”: Lucas Masiello, Casey Chan-Smutko, Aidan Cahill, Marcy Kelly, Jenny Arnold, Nils Fimmers, Claudia Stepien, David Broccoli: thank you for taking it easy on me as I eased my way into this new role. I would not have been successful without your patience and dedication to the Cigar.
Lauren Drapeau and Nathan Robillard, I cannot imagine a more powerful duo to leave in control of the paper. It’s a wild ride, and while it’s a year-long role, it goes by incredibly fast. Enjoy every second of it, don’t be afraid to step outside of the box and keep the Cigar burning for years to come. I’m so proud of you both.
Molly Cronin, thank you for so eagerly jumping into the role of business manager when I told you I needed one. You went above and beyond in this role and I’m so glad that I got to do this with one of my best friends.
To my outside-of-Cigar support system: my family, my friends, my roommates; thank you for listening to every Cigar mental breakdown I had and pretending like you knew the journalism lingo I was throwing out. I’m looking forward to having more time to spend with you all once my term is up.
Alexa Potamianos. You have been with me (literally) every step of the way: the good and the bad. When I think of the greatest people in my life, you are at the top of the list. Thanks for sticking with the Cigar until my retirement. It wouldn’t have been the same without you.
Liz Fusco and Maddie Bataille, you already know the amazing things I have to say about both of you. You’re the best older sisters I’ve ever had. Thank you for believing in me since day one. I love you both and I cherish our friendship so much.
Last, but not least, Ronan Himelrick. We did it. I’ve said it a lot, but I truly wouldn’t have wanted to do it with anyone else. Thanks for answering my millions of text messages a day (even if some were delusional), for driving me to my car after every meeting, for coming to all of my 21st birthday celebrations and thank you for being my best friend, inside and outside of the Cigar. I’m so proud of you and of us and how far we’ve come. Crack open a beer and enjoy retirement.
In my retirement, I’m not sure what I’m going to do. It will probably consist of a lot of crocheting, lots of documentary watching and lots of time spent with friends. Oh, and of course, graduating in May. I may not know what the future holds right now, but I know that I will take the Cigar with me wherever I go.
I may be biased, but the Cigar is the best organization at URI. Some of my favorite memories from college took place at 11 p.m. in the office on a late production night. I never thought I’d be so sad to leave the roach-infested basement of the Memorial Union, but here I am.
Well, I guess it’s time to go find another personality trait. Goodbye Cigar, you’ll always have a place in me.