Thanks for everything

I’ve sat down to write this five times now, and frankly, I’m having little success. I’m not sure how to sum up the last four years in 500-800 words. The Miami Student (TMS) newsroom has seen me at my best and also at my absolute worst. Yet, it never wavered in its support. Ever. Maybe even when I wanted it to (kidding, duh).

Given the 200th anniversary celebration at the beginning of March, I’ve spent way too much time talking about myself. So, I want to use this space instead to thank the people who made the experience what it was.

For the sake of clarity, here’s the abbreviated version of my TMS story: I was homesick, terribly so. I took a journalism 101 class and felt inspired to join the newspaper, but only because I really needed more to do.

Then, I met some of my favorite people ever. First, former Editor-in-Chief Sean Scott, when he sent me the world’s most expansive introductory email. Then, Olivia Patel, our fearless editor-in-chief (who would go on to become one of my best friends in the entire world). Later on, former Editor-in-Chief Kasey Turman, Campus and Community (C&C) Editor Taylor Stumbaugh, Culture Editor Stella Powers, Business Manager Austin Smith and former C&C Editor Chloe McKinney.

In the latter half of my TMS experience, I found the people with whom I’d spend my time as managing editor surrounded by: Sports Editor Kethan Babu, Assistant C&C Editor Shannon Mahoney, Digital Media Editor Sarah Frosch, Assistant Culture Editor Ayla Peden, Assistant C&C Editor Parker Green, Assistant Sports Editor Jeffrey Middleton, Design Editor Olivia Michelsen, Assistant Design Editor Madeline Buecker, GreenHawks Editor Sarah Kennel, Opinion Editor Taylor Powers and Photo Editor Elisa Rosenthal.

I wish I had some magical insight to put my experience into words, but I don’t, because it wasn’t really me that made it so impactful. I just showed up. Which, admittedly, was harder some days than others.

But when I showed up, I was met with the greatest and most driven people I could have possibly found on this campus. With that, I’d like to be annoying and share a few specific thanks. (Just pretend I’m giving a Grammy’s acceptance speech.)

To Stumbaugh: Thank you for anchoring the Girl-Boss Table. Your constant energy and presence make our news team chug, and frankly, it will be almost impossible to replace. Thank you for being a great and true friend.

To Kasey, former Opinion and GreenHawks Editor Sam Norton, former Humor Editor Teddy Johnson and former Business Manager Adam Smith: While I had been involved in the paper, I decided to truly join the “cult” during your tenure.

I will only ever admit this once, so please savor it; when I committed to TMS, you guys were so cool. You looked like you were having so much fun, and because of you, I wanted to stick around and have fun too. You created a culture in the newsroom that was truly admirable.

To Babu: You spend a lot of time thanking me for supporting you, but I feel like we need to flip that idea. You have been such a constant in my life, and your strength and resilience motivate me. You have this calming and steadying presence that I don’t think I’ll ever be able to replicate. So like, wanna move to D.C.? (Please note I did not mention your technical support abilities until… right now).

To professors Joe Sampson, Jim Tobin and Sacha Bellman: You saw me at my worst this year (and last year … Sampson, I'm looking at you). Your support never wavered, even when my sanity did.

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To Scott: Thank you for being the reason I joined TMS in the first place. Yes, you sent me a lengthy email, but you also made me feel welcome and wanted. And, you made me laugh. Deepest apologies for constantly posting you on my Snapchat story.

And finally, to my ride or die, Patel: I’m almost out of words and emotions, so maybe I shouldn’t have saved you for last. All I can say is thank you for changing my life. I cannot wait to see what this next chapter holds for us.

Oh, and in typical Grammy fashion, I also need to thank my family and my best friend, Libby O’Toole. Even when they didn’t know what the hell I was talking about, they let me ramble. And ramble. And ramble some more.

reieram@miamioh.edu

Anna Reier is a senior double majoring in diplomacy and global politics and journalism with a minor in international business. She currently serves as the managing editor at The Student.