I consider myself to be a quiet person when it comes to a lot of things. I’m friendly, but like many others, I tend to be nervous when meeting new people and doing new things.
I remember my first day at The Good Five Cent Cigar. It was my very first Monday night meeting in my first year.
I had just gotten lost finding the office. Every seat was filled except for one on the couch. I was surrounded by students both new and old, freshly tanned – or in my case, sunburnt – from the summer that had just ended. I was worried that I would say the wrong thing or that my writing wouldn’t compete with my peers’ work. I was as quiet as a mouse.
Once the gavel struck, my nerves instantly calmed. Pitches started rolling in, and I felt inspired. I didn’t volunteer to write any articles during that meeting, but it didn’t take long for me to do so.
I left feeling much more confident than I had when I walked in. And that’s the beauty of The Cigar: no matter what, you’ll feel right at home after 10 minutes.
I continued taking articles through that year. By my third year, balancing internships, a part-time job and The Cigar became difficult. I worked as a news reporter intern at East Greenwich News in my third year and as an editorial intern at Rhode Island Monthly at the beginning of my fourth year.
It was then that I realized I wanted to prioritize The Cigar. As if the newspaper knew I wanted to return, a staff reporter position had opened up. I didn’t hesitate to email them and express my interest.
Through working as a staff reporter, I had the chance to learn about the soul of the University of Rhode Island. I felt connected to not only the other members in the club but to the campus in general. Speaking with a variety of people each week – students, professors and staff – became my path to understanding everything URI had to offer. I spoke to dancers, engineers, historians and countless others that I most likely would have never met otherwise.
As valuable as they were, I worked very independently in my previous internships. The Cigar, in contrast, has shown me what it was like to work as part of a professional team with a group of people who share the same passions as me.
While I may be quiet, I can’t thank the paper and its staff loudly enough for my time with them. The countless jokes, after-dinner catch-ups, dance moves and memes have been highlights of my week.
I want to thank each person I have had the privilege of meeting in my time. Whether you are on the editorial board, a reporter, a meeting attendee or a reader, you mean more to me than you know.
In all, just know: if there is one thing you can count on, you can count on The Good Five Cent Cigar.
