If you told 18-year-old Casey Chan-Smutko that she would find a group of amazing people who would shape her life at the University of Rhode Island, she’d look at you in disbelief.
I was anxious from my very first step into The Good Five Cent Cigar office, but Cigar alum and mentor Imani Fleming ‘22 was encouraging. I wrote my first article about the renovations to Ranger Hall, and it was “shredded,” but it made me a better writer. Juliana Lepore ‘23 and Liz Fusco ‘22, who were the news editors and Jason Phillips ‘22, the editor-in-chief at the time, believed in me, and my story ended up on the front page.
As semesters went by, I became used to going to Monday meetings at 6 p.m. and taking one to four stories a week. When I became a staff reporter for the first time, I was able to broaden my horizons with different sections.
The next goal? Become a news editor. By a miracle, I won and that’s when I realized this was the place to be.
Unfortunately, that only lasted two semesters during my second year, as I was demoted to staff reporter and then contributing again. However, that never stopped me from continuing to try again. I used that as motivation to reach my goal; after four semesters, look at me now.
Word of advice for new and current reporters: believe in yourself. If a decision doesn’t go your way and you feel like falling, “pick yourself up, dust yourself off and start all over again.” Trust me, it will work out in the end.
To everyone I’ve worked under or alongside, you made me who I am today. I’ve learned a lot more about what it means to be a reporter in a welcoming environment. You all make me smile on a bad day.
I have so many people to thank: Aidan Cahill and Ellie Sennhenn, you two were my day ones. There are no other people I would’ve loved sitting next to during pitch meetings. Jenny Arnold ‘24, I still use the colored pencils you gave me for Secret Santa and Nils Fimmers ‘24, your random jokes coming from the production office always cracked me up.
Morganne Judd, if it wasn’t for your support and guidance, I don’t think you’d ever see me take news packages. You erased my fear of being on camera and built your own legacy that I hope upcoming newscast editors will carry out in the future.
Jill Cervantes, as you’re editing my column, remember you are a queen and I can’t wait to see what you do next. Nora Kelley, you have some of the greatest stories during dinner check-ins. Charlie Adams, thank you for the vibes, rides back to my dorm, Reese and the Mii-board. There would be no Cigar without you.
Maia Hembruff, watching you grow as a reporter, whether I was staff or editor, has been one of my greatest joys at The Cigar. Now you’re the production manager for a second time. There would be no paper without you, figuratively and literally.
Sadie Brandt and Ella Gerdts, you are the greatest duo to work with. Your banter during long nights makes them feel shorter. I also loved your growth as reporters, editors and newscast anchors. I can’t wait to see what you do with The Cigar next semester.
Stephen Russo, you are my best friend inside and outside of the Cigar. Thank you for your patience while filming my stand-up for newscast packages and saving my spot during pitch meetings last semester. I hope URI accepts you into their graduate program.
Eliza White, you will make a great news editor. You still have my number if you need any help with the adjustment.
Last but not least, my partner in crime this semester, Aria Garcia-Torres. You’ve become the older sister I never had, a girlboss queen and everything in between. I think we make a great news editing team. I’ll miss all the fun we had. Thank you for letting me be myself.
Alas, I’m almost over 700 words, so goodbye, Rhody Cigar. Thanks for being my favorite Friday afternoon spot and my second home. You will never be forgotten.
