I honestly didn’t have a clear plan for where I fit on campus yet in my second year at the University of Rhode Island; I was trying a little bit of everything, and somewhere along the way, I found myself at a meeting for The Good Five Cent Cigar.
A new, terrified sports media major who just liked taking sports photos, who had absolutely no idea what to do on campus. If you had told me back then that I’d be writing a goodbye letter, I probably would’ve laughed in your face. But looking back, that one decision ended up shaping so much of my college experience.
I started as a staff photographer, and naturally, I mostly only covered sports (sorry, Aidan). Being on the sidelines, capturing moments in real time and getting a different perspective on games was such a cool way to get involved early on here at URI. A semester later, when the old social media coordinator graduated, I moved into that role and everything just took off from there.
Helping to build out The Cigar’s digital presence and give writers a bigger platform to share their stories and work is one of the most rewarding parts of my college career. Seeing reporters who were so excited that their stories made the “top story” on Instagram for that week made me so happy. Helping shape the account to hit over 1 million total views in just six weeks of the semester in the fall was a dream come true. Having that number be quantifiable showed me how the community truly cared about what stories were being put out and how important this organization was in the grand scheme of things.
However, outside of the “resume achievements” so many people love to hyperfixate about, I think it’s important to share that the people make the place, and without the wonderful staff members and contributors, none of this would have been possible. Whether that’s Ella and Emma writing the controversial “Sex and the Cigar” or even John’s “Critters on Campus,” the staff welcomed me, and they made me feel like I belonged.
To our b-board, thank you for everything you’ve put into this paper and for making it what it is. Sadie, Ella, Casey, Aria, Charlie, Jill, Morganne, Amanda and Maia, I thank you. To everyone I’ve worked with over the years, like Ryan, David, Jenny and all my “sports media children,” thank you.
Lastly, I need to thank two people who made this experience possible for me, who supported me through my highs and my lows.
To Emma Roberts, I don’t think I say this enough to you, but you’re a rockstar. You’re one of the funniest people I know and can always count on you to deliver, whether that be through a story or just a good time. I can always count on you to cheer me up, no matter what was going on in your day, and that will never go unnoticed by me. I’m grateful that this organization has brought us together.
To Nora Kelley, my right hand through this all. From the second I met you, I knew you were a force to be reckoned with. When we started working together, everything clicked. Whether that be covering sports, bouncing ideas around, or even just talking about our lives, you made the experience a hundred times better than I thought it would be.
Not only did you make it easy for me, but you also made it fun. I trust you with anything, and that’s something I don’t say lightly. Watching you grow as a student, editor, but also as a person, has been one of my favorite things to see. I’m so incredibly proud of everything you’ve built and will continue to build, and I know you’re only getting started.
You’re one of the hardest-working, determined and resilient people I know. The world isn’t ready for someone of your caliber, but I know that you’ll be ready for it. I’m really going to miss seeing you every day and ranting about absolute nonsense. It won’t be the same without you by my side.
Now, to my successor, Michael Sormanti, I won’t say much. You’re a killer, and you know what you’re doing. I have full faith in you to deliver and execute only the best.
Now that senioritis is hitting me like a load of bricks, I’ll leave you with this (hey! that rhymed). Everything happens for a reason. No path is linear, and if you find yourself in the Memorial Union, stop by 125 and say hi.
