There was no “me” before I met the Cigar.
I know how silly that sounds – a college newspaper having such a profound impact on my very sense of being. But really, it’s an understatement.
My first visit to the office was through a computer screen in my parents’ basement. I sat wide eyed, watching the staff pitch and receive stories like clockwork. It was the most intimidating scene to experience.
Later that week, my first story got published, in print, on the front page, above the fold.
Since then, I have served as the Cigar’s Web Editor and Entertainment Editor. Even after a year of hiatus, my distinct love and appreciation for this newspaper is something irreplaceable.
I am forever indebted to those who took me under their wing. Kate Leblanc, Nicole Wagner, Kayla Laguerre-Lewis, Mary Lind, Imani Fleming and Aniekan Okon: I consider you not only as lifelong friends, but also the greatest mentors I could have ever asked for. Pieces of you can be found throughout all that I write for the rest of my life (and I hope to write quite a lot).
To those who grew with me: Jason Phillips, Adam Zangari, Morgan Maleonskie, Kyle Standing, Maddie Bataille, Liz Fusco and Claudia Stepien. I experienced my greatest triumphs and tumultuous failures with each of you by my side. Every day, I thank my lucky stars to have been surrounded by people who made me laugh and cry when I needed it the most. I am a better writer because of you. I am a better human being because of you.
For the three left standing: Juliana Lepore, Ronan Himelrick and Alexa Potamianos. I cannot put my appreciation for you in words, especially not for the whole world to read (or at least our faithful Cigar readers). I applaud your commitment to this group as something much bigger than a college newspaper. Our connections, both shared and individual, professional and emotional, are friendships that I pray to keep forever. We started as some terrified freshman in a Zoom meeting and evolved into who we are meant to be in this life. It is a gift that somehow, we each chose the dusty Memorial Union basement to spend the majority of our college years. I hope our change of scenery is nice, but that the company still remains.
And finally, to my past, present and future self. When walking across that stage in the spring, remember just how hard you worked to get there. Always be proud of who you are and never apologize for the space you take up in this world. It is good, meaningful space. You are bound to leave a mark wherever you go, just like you did on the Cigar.
I’m Leah Popovic, thank you so much for joining me on this ride.